Looking to implement an amazing recycling and waste collection program at your organization? Take the first step in discovering what you actually need to make it a sustainability success!
2. Table of Contents
Benefits of an Effective Recycling Program 3
Different for Everyone 4
ResearchYour Location 5
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Challenge of Convenience Versus Practicality 6
Observe Everyday Life 7
Eating at the Desk 8
Materials at the Desk 9
Time Spent at the Desk 10
Space Around the Desk 11
SetYour Organization Up for Success 12
3. Benefits of an Efficient Recycling Program
An efficient recycling program, depending on local recycling markets and fluctuating values of the
materials being collected, has the potential to save 20–50% on monthly waste disposal fees.
Other potential benefits include a more favorable public image and a more desirable office space
for potential tenants that are environmentally aware. An efficient recycling program is also an
important component for those that are seeking LEED® certification and all the advantages that
come with operating a building that meets LEED standards.
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4. Different for Everyone
Depending on your building type and
goals, your program may be very
different from the one across the street
or even down the hall, and that’s ok; it is
just important to make sure that those
differences accent and enhance your
program and do not in any way, hinder it.
No two buildings, facilities, or users are
alike, so recycling programs can and
often do, vary greatly.
Because of this, it is very important to
analyze your own program needs ahead
of time instead of modeling your
program first and assessing needs
second.
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5. ResearchYour Location
The last thing you need is to purchase a bunch of
bins without thoroughly investigating your
recycling needs. There are countless locations
where bins can be placed, but high- traffic areas
(e.g., cafeteria/lunch room) or areas where people
spend large amounts of time (e.g., at their desks)
are the types of locations that deserve focused
attention.
Doing a bit of research on your location by
examining user behavior patterns, foot traffic/flow,
education, and needs, as well as examining floor
space, will go a long way in ensuring you are setting
up the right program, and sourcing the correct
containers for your location.
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6. Challenge of ConvenienceVersus Practicality
One of the biggest challenges of recycling in an office
setting is that of convenience vs. practicality. In a busy
office, no one has time to sit around and figure out what
material goes in which container.
They are even less likely to go on a hunt to find the
nearest container/collection point.
The same could be said for public space recycling, only
there, people are more prone to what we call the “lazy
toss,” meaning the first container they come across is
going to be where their refuse ends up, regardless of
whether or not it belongs there.
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7. Observe Everyday Life
As mentioned, one of the first things to address is
what type of recycling and waste program is best for
your situation.
Paying particular attention to everyday life in the
office will greatly assist in choosing a program that’s
right for you.To assist you in your decision, consider
the questions on the next slides.
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8. Eating at the Desk
Are staff members allowed to eat at their desk
whether it be a snack or a full lunch?
If they are not allowed to eat at their desks, and the
policy is strictly enforced, then you should be able to
rule out food waste and discarded food packaging
being generated at their desks.
If they are allowed, you will want to have access to
containers at or near their desks to collect these
contents, so that they do not generate clutter or get
disposed of in the most convenient, and sometimes
incorrect, container.
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9. Materials at the Desk
What types of materials are being collected at the
desk? Are any confidential?
Does your office go through a lot of paper, or have you
gone paperless in your day-to-day operations? Is staff
allowed to drink at their desks? Is there a large
collection of plastic water bottles, coffee cups, and
pop cans at the desks? If so, a good way to prevent
this is to encourage the use of travel mugs, refillable
containers, etc.
Remember to ensure that any papers being recycled
are not of a sensitive nature or contain
private/confidential information, such as account
numbers, credit cards, names, etc. If there is
confidential information on them, never place them in
the standard recycling bin.These should be disposed
of in a secure bin for document destruction.
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10. Time Spent at the Desk
Do they spend a lot of hours at their desks each
day, or are they mobile and away from their
desks in a lot of meetings or off site?
If the desk is where they start and end their day, but
do not spend much time there throughout the day,
they likely generate less waste and recyclables at
their desks. In this case, maybe it isn’t necessary to
have any deskside stations.
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11. Space Around the Desk
How much room is there under the desk or near it?
Space is always a concern, especially in some
offices. Do you have room under the desk but no
room around it? Or vice versa, where foot space is
limited under people’s desks, but there is a
fair amount of wall space in the office?
While it’s not always best policy to let space dictate
what type of program you use, you have to be
mindful of it and find a solution that works for both
your employees and the space you have available
inside the office.
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12. SetYour Organization Up for Success
By analyzing your organization’s needs ahead of implementing a new collection program, you
have a better chance of your program being successful. The planning and preparation stages of
any recycling and waste program an instrumental step in your program’s success. The work in the
early stages will pay dividends in the long term. If successful, your program should help divert your
materials from landfill (saving you on waste disposal fees), reduce your carbon footprint, and raise
your business’s social status both internally and externally, while providing you with a sense of
accomplishment on doing your part to protect the environment.
Remember to remain realistic with your program. Starting by analyzing your current needs gives
you a good framework to start with, but continuously analyzing your program is almost more
important. Evaluate the program that you’ve implemented and make sure that everything still
makes sense. As your program evolves, keep track of the positive impact you’re having on your
organization and on the planet!
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