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Creating a Recycling Program

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Creating a Recycling Program

Busch Systems81 Rawson AvenueBarrie, ON L4N 6E5

This program provides an overview of the purpose of recycling, steps on setting priorities and analyzing needs when setting up a recycling program, considerations for servicing workstations and servicing public spaces, guidance on how to select the right bins, and other tips for improving sustainability efforts.

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Purpose and Learning Objectives

Purpose: This program provides an overview of the purpose of recycling, steps on setting priorities and analyzing needs when setting up a recycling program, considerations for servicing workstations and servicing public spaces, guidance on how to select the right bins, and other tips for improving sustainability efforts.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• discuss the contributions of the recycling industry and the benefits of recycling• identify steps in establishing recycling and waste program priorities • formulate questions to raise when analyzing needs • propose a system of deskside collection, centralized collection, or both, given users’

priorities and needs• recall factors to consider for servicing public spaces• list considerations for container selection, and• determine appropriate signage and labeling, given users’ priorities and needs.






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Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Establishing Priorities 13

Analyzing Needs 20

Servicing Workstations 28

Servicing Public Spaces 36

Selecting Your Containers 45

Communication 65

Conclusion 73

Summary and Resources 78

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Introduction






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The Recycling Industry

The collection, separation, and processing of recyclable products is a thriving and growing industry in North America. The U.S. scrap recycling industry supported over 470,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2015 and generated more than 105 billion dollars in revenue. Despite these numbers, there is much room for improvement, as the U.S. national recycling rates for municipal waste have hovered around 34% from 2010–2013.

Recycling reduces pollution and saves money, and if this recycling rate increases, the planet and its people will benefit greatly.






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Why Recycle?

For years, we have been told about the benefits of recycling.

• It reduces CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gas emissions.

• Recycling saves trees and other natural resources.

• It keeps harmful pollutants out of the ground and water table.

• It reduces the cost associated with, and the stress placed on, landfills.

But, recycling goes far beyond these examples!






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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 who 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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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 okay; it is important to make sure that those differences accent and enhance your program and do not hinder it in any way. 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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Glossary of Key Terms

Centralized Station/Collection Centers: Refers to a group of containers (usually 15–50 gallons capacity each) designed to collect and separate multiple materials

Contamination: Takes place when one material ends up in a container or stream in which it doesn’t belong; e.g., when a banana peel ends up in the plastics stream

Deskside: Refers to containers that are placed under or beside a desk, usually of a smaller variety (10 gallons or less)

Recycling Rate: Is the percentage or ratio of total materials collected that are designated for a recycling purpose and not destined for landfills

Waste Diversion: Refers to the activity of diverting material from landfill and setting it on a course that leads to it being recycled

Waste/Landfill/Refuse: Refers to materials that are designated to go to landfill because there is neither a value nor process in place to recycle them into other materials/purposes

Waste/Recycling Audit: Is an inspection of the materials currently being collected at a site and measurement of the quantity (as well as the make up) of said materials






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Establishing Priorities






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Priorities

The first thing you need to consider when setting up a recycling and waste program in your building is how you want your program to look. What are you hoping to achieve? Are you looking to have a bright, colorful program that stands out? Or are you looking for something that blends into your décor, with a more subtle approach?

Contrary to popular belief, both strategies can achieve great success in increasing your recycling rates while reducing what you send to landfill; only the execution of each is a bit different.






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Established Offices: Green Team

For established offices, the first thing you will want to do is create a committee or a “Green Team” for this project. By including your staff in the planning stages, you not only increase your likelihood of success, but you can also gain valuable input, and possibly “Champions” who spread the word and promote the program to others. This will also help avoid any unwanted or unnecessary surprises along the way, such as resistance from staff, by including them in the planning and implementation process.






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Established Offices: Get a Baseline

You will want to ask questions about the staff’s knowledge of current recycling and waste practices, such as:• which materials can be recycled?• how easy do they currently find it to recycle? • what is their biggest challenge when trying to recycle at the

office?

The answers may surprise you.

Sometimes it’s a simple answer of not knowing which items go in each bin, while often it’s an accessibility issue (like struggling to find where the containers are located). Getting answers to these questions will let you know what challenges are ahead, and how to best tackle them when launching your program.






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Established Offices: Contact the Hauler

You will want to contact your current hauler (or if you are a tenant within a building, have the property manager/building owner do so on your behalf) and find out what collection of materials is available. You may be surprised to learn it can be very different from the curbside pick-up options at home, and proper communication with your hauler can ensure that the materials being collected and diverted from waste are separated properly. That way, they end up at a proper recycling facility and not at your local landfill.

Communication with your hauler and maintaining an open dialogue is key to ensuring the program’s long-term success.






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Starting from Scratch

If your office is unoccupied or the building has not been built yet, then congratulations! You essentially get to create a program from scratch and probably don’t have to deal with as many space/footprint issues as an already established office.

However, you also do not have the benefit of valuable user/staff feedback and as such, you need to put yourself in the mindset of the users without being able to communicate with them.

Location and placement of containers are key, and ironing out these details ahead of time will give you great opportunities for success.






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Identifying Streams/Materials

The next step is often the most overlooked, and that is identifying which streams/materials you want to collect. Some people simply assume most materials can be collected, or that their programs at the office should reflect the same programs they have at home, which is not always the case.

Will your program require the separation of glass, plastic, paper, and metal? Or will it have mixed recycling/commingled, where all of the recyclable materials are collected in one stream and separated at a recycling facility? Again, contact your hauler to confirm these details.






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Analyzing Needs






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Research Your 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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Challenge of Convenience Versus Practicality

One of the biggest challenges of recycling in an office setting is that of convenience versus 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. In public spaces, however, people are more prone to what we call the “lazy toss,” meaning the first container they come across is where their refuse ends up, regardless of whether or not it belongs there.






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Observe Everyday Life

As mentioned, one of the first things to address is which 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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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. That way, they do not generate clutter or get disposed of in the most convenient, and sometimes incorrect, container.






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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 a standard recycling bin. These should be disposed of in a secure bin for document destruction.






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Do they spend a lot of hours at their desks each day, or are they mobile and away from their desks in 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, it might be unnecessary to have desksidestations.

Time Spent at the Desk






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Space Around the Desk

How much room is there under or near the desk?

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 in the office.






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Servicing Workstations






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Choosing a System

Two of the more popular competing systems are:

• deskside collection subsidized by larger collection centers, and

• removing deskside collection altogether and only offering centralized collection stations throughout the office.

Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and figuring out which one works best for your office environment will go a long way in making your recycling program a success.






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This program is the easier of the two programs to set up because it relies less on education and participation, and more on convenience and ease of use. It involves setting up small, under-the-desk collection containers at each workstation, with larger centralized stations set up in high-traffic areas, such as lunchrooms, breakrooms, restrooms, and near major entrances and exits.

This strategy does not require employees to get up from their desks every time they generate waste or recycling, and it allows them to collect materials discreetly underneath their desks to be collected at the end of the day or when their containers get full. It also saves valuable office space by requiring fewer centralized stations to be set up throughout the office. While space under the desk is always a concern, there are creative container solutions out there to address this.

Deskside Collection Subsidized by Larger Collection Centers






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Deskside and Centralized

Deskside Collection Station

Centralized Collection Station






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An Effective Deskside Option

A recent study by Keep America Beautiful and its partners found that placing a small trash bin with a larger recycling bin at people’s desks achieved the most desirable results in changing people's knowledge and behavior. It increased the correct disposal of recyclables and trash when compared with other strategies of deskside collection (i.e., recycling bin only under the desk, education only, equal-size containers).

Larger collection stations are still required at convenient locations throughout the office so employees can dispose of their recycling and refuse into larger stations when their deskside containers become full.






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Something important to consider when looking at this strategy is who will be collecting the contents at each workstation.

Will you employ a cleaning staff/night service to come and collect the contents of the containers at the conclusion of each day?

Will you rely on the staff to maintain a clean desk and empty their containers daily or when they are full?

Proper education and communication with your staff is key in either case and will help ensure the program’s long-term success. You will want to use your “Green Team” or “Champions” to properly communicate to staff about this new strategy, your mission/goals, and how to properly use the containers underneath their desks and the larger recycling/waste centers.

Who Is Responsible for Deskside Collection?






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Removing Deskside Collection Altogether

Another strategy is to remove collection altogether from employees’ desks, and either offering only a recycling container or nothing at all. This forces participants to dispose of their refuse immediately at the nearest centralized collection point.

These programs rely heavily on education and the overwhelming support of staff, for without both, results can often be mixed.

Communication with staff about the strategy and your intentions is key when deploying this system; failure to do so can result in resistance from staff and result in some undesirable changes (i.e., contamination in your recyclables).






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Larger centralized collection centers will need to be more prominent in this strategy (which can be more taxing on your general office space), as employees will not want to wander far from their desks to dispose of their refuse.

Furthermore, employers/managers will not want refuse building up at employees’ desks as it would lead to messy work stations.

Deployment of the larger centralized stations is key (in this scenario, a desk should never be more than 50 feet from a larger receptacle). Coupled with communication and education of the staff, it can be a highly effective office solution.

Centralized Collection Only: Proper Deployment






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Servicing Public Spaces






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Public Space

Public space, from a recycling perspective, is anywhere a large number of people pass or generate recycling and waste. It is a well-traveled area with high foot traffic or when multiple users share the same containers.

Common examples include but are not limited to: airports, convention centers, school campuses, hallways, lunchrooms/food courts, stadiums, office break rooms, etc.

Usually, the containers are medium to large sizes, ranging anywhere from 15 to 50 gallons per stream (depending on the number of streams and the amount of foot traffic experienced).






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Analyzing Your Materials

For large recycling and waste generators, such as food courts and cafeterias, performing an audit of what materials are being generated and collected can go a long way to ensuring the proper size, type, and number of stations are being deployed.

A waste and recycling audit can be performed internally for smaller areas. For larger, more complex areas, you may want to seek a third party to perform the waste audit. Investigating what materials are being collected, their volume, and what materials are creating “problems,” can go a long way in sourcing the correct centralized stations for these areas. You may learn that you collect a lot more of one material than others, or that people do not appear to be aware of where certain materials go (e.g., paper towels), resulting in contamination of collected materials.






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Centralized Stations: Importance of Location

Public space presents some unique challenges that, if not properly identified and addressed early, can be problematic to running an efficient, successful recycling and waste program.

Location, location, location is one of the factors that is often overlooked when deploying a proper recycling and waste program. The mentality of “if you build it, they will come” is often not enough; the program is not likely to succeed without proper planning and support.






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When dealing with high-volume areas that experience a lot of foot traffic (hallways, convention centers, airports, college campuses, etc.), a good rule of thumb is to observe traffic flow (where people are walking) and plan the deployment of stations accordingly.

Common areas that are good choices include:• near major entrances and exits to buildings • near restrooms, and• choke points (where a wider hallway narrows into a smaller one).

Where to Place Centralized Stations






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Also, note any areas where a large amount of waste and recyclables may be generated:• Food courts• Restaurants• Coffee shops• Print stations

Proper identification of these high-traffic areas in the planning stages should not only ensure your program is running at peak efficiency, but should also reduce the number of stations required.

Where to Place Centralized Stations






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Types and Sizes of Bins

Not all of the areas where you need recycling stations will require the same type, size, or amount of containers. For example, your fax/photocopy room will probably generate a lot of paper collection with some garbage and maybe the odd can or bottle, but is not likely to generate much food waste/organics material.

After the waste audit, you may find you do not need to offer all the streams at all locations and this will save you space and money.






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Other factors to consider when setting up containers in a public space include:• the number of hours the space receives

traffic/usage (i.e., an 8-hour work day, 12 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours, etc.)

• how often the containers can be or will be emptied, and

• the number of visits you expect the containers to experience in a day.

If they are in use during long hours and experience a high number of visits, you may want to consider more durable materials and containers. If they are to be serviced/emptied multiple times throughout the day, you will want to be certain that any containers you source are user-friendly.

Durability and Usability






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Important Considerations

Always place your waste and recycling bins together; never have them on opposite ends of a hallway, a few feet apart, or offer waste only in some areas and recycling and waste in others. People will often dispose of their refuse in the nearest container available to them, and will not always seek out the correct one when presented with a closer option.

Only a very small portion of the population will hold onto something to ensure it ends up in the proper container. Making sure that your waste and recycling bins are together will ensure the proper materials are being collected in their proper streams, and will increase your users’ experience while reducing contamination across streams.






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Selecting Your Containers






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Deciding on Features and Options

After you’ve assessed and analyzed your recycling needs, it is time to select the bins that will address those needs.

A common challenge people inadvertently create for themselves is deciding on what materials their containers will be made of first, and then deciding what features and options are important to them; this can lead to unintentional compromises on certain features and options because of the material they have chosen.

The best course of action is usually to first decide on which features and options are important to you and your program, as these will often determine what kind of container works best for you.






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Several Options

For example, if you are working on a tight budget, metal and recycled lumber are usually not your best options, and you will probably find yourself leaning toward plastic (usually HDPE or LDPE).

If aesthetics are of great importance (matching office décor or trying to achieve a certain theme), then you may find yourself leaning toward metal or melamine.

If language or communication is going to be a challenge, you will want to explore label and signage options.

A few features and options that may be important are listed on the next few slides.






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Long-Term Durability/High Usage

If these containers are going to be frequently used, durability may be one of your chief concerns. While the initial investment may be more, sometimes it’s best to spend $500.00 on a container and have it last ten years than $200.00 on a container and have it last two. Where the container is going (indoors vs. outdoors) will have a large impact on its long-term durability.

For outdoor containers, less is often more; the fewer moving parts there are, the more likely it is to last without requiring repair or replacement.

Certain materials, such as recycled lumber or metal, can be used outdoors but they perform better indoors. Other materials, such as melamine, should not be used outdoors at all.






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Number of Streams

The number of streams is usually a big consideration because depending on your program, it may have a great influence on what container options are available to you. If you are only collecting two or three streams, then this is not as much of an issue. However, if your program is collecting four, five, or six streams, then the number of options is reduced.

Manufacturers have combatted this trend of increasing streams by designing modular containers that are placed side by side (often connected in some form) to allow for an increasing number of streams.

Modular containers may also want to be considered for those that might add a stream down the road (e.g., waste and mixed recyclables to start, and perhaps adding organics/food waste in a year or two).






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Container Sizes

Take into account the number of people that will be using particular bins to divert their recyclables; make sure to choose bins that have a large enough capacity to accommodate them. You will want to have containers that are not overflowing after an hour’s use, but fill at an acceptable rate for your current or planned cleaning schedule.

It never hurts to have containers a bit bigger than an average collection day, as this will allow for expected (or unexpected) spikes from special events or higher than expected usage.

Don’t forget to account for floor space; you may want your containers to have a 35-gallon capacity per stream, but if you have a four stream container, ensure you have enough floor space set aside for it.






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Labeling/Signage

Communication is a key component of any recycling and waste program. It can have the largest impact on a program’s success or failure, and is, unfortunately, an often overlooked component.

If your goal is to divert as many materials from landfill as possible and capture the most recyclable materials while keeping contamination to a minimum, then this will be one of the most important components when selecting what kind of container to use.

One thing to note is that programs can change and evolve over time, so you may want to ask your supplier if it’s easy (or possible) to change the labeling and signage down the road should you decide to do so.






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Functionality/Practicality

If the container is going to be serviced and cleaned often, you will want something that is user-friendly. So, if the container is to be emptied several times a day, you may want to stay away from locks/keyed entry (though if security is a concern, this is not always possible).

You will want it to be easy to remove the contents from your container, and you will want the replacement of any bags or liners to be quick and painless.

Rigid liners are a popular choice for ease of cleaning, though manufacturers are finding new and creative ways (e.g., using bag hooks or rings), to make removal of bags quick, clean, and easy.






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Aesthetics/Color

If you are trying to create a “look” or “feel” to your program, then you may be less concerned about the insides of the container. There are a number of different container looks that you may like, depending on your preference. Do you want your containers to scream “Hey! Look at me!” or blend in with the existing design of the office/building?

If you are looking for a bright and colorful program, then you may lean towards plastics.

If you are seeking a more modern or contemporary look, metal and melamine may be the right choice for you.






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If security and/or fire resistance is a decision-making factor (common at airports and some government facilities, but not as much in offices or many other public spaces), then you will have a different set of criteria than most. You will probably be looking for a container that is secure, lockable, and resistant to fire; the latter of which almost certainly steers you towards metal, but strides are being made by some manufacturers with alternative materials.

If you are unsure of any potential fire resistance restrictions, always consult your fire marshal and/or building inspector.

Security/Fire Resistance






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Value

Cost is almost always a determining factor, and can vary widely depending on the type of material and container selected. While this is something that always needs to be accounted for, it is important to not only look at upfront costs but long-term value as well.

Some materials and containers last longer than others, require less maintenance, and are better suited for certain applications and environments.

The key is to not only make sure you are staying within your budget, but maximizing it as well.

A well-planned program should be able to last years with few to no changes, or offer long-term flexibility if required, and greatly reduce your monthly waste and disposal fees.






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Materials: Selection

In today’s growing recycling and waste industry, there is a number of different container options out there designed to meet a variety of applications. With manufacturers located throughout North America and some overseas, new container options are being launched every month.

Manufacturers use a variety of different materials when designing these containers with each material offering its own benefits.

Selecting the right material for your program’s containers can greatly narrow the field. Careful research into what material works best for you and your application can go a long way in ensuring the long-term success of your program.






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Materials: Options

Plastic containers are the most prominent in the industry, but few people are aware of just how many different variations there are when using this material.

The three most prominent forms of plastic containers in the industry are HDPE, LDPE, and recycled lumber (in no particular order).

Metal is another common material found in the market, while melamine is one of the newer entrants.

Cost, durability, functionality, features, and customization options can vary wildly depending on the material, all of which should be considered when selecting the ideal container for your recycling and waste program.






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Materials: HDPE

High-density polyethylene is perhaps the most common material used in recycling and waste containers, especially when looking at off-the-shelf options.

There are a number of manufacturers that offer this material due to its widespread availability and cost effectiveness.

HDPE is the most popular choice for indoor recycling and waste containers due to these factors as well as its rigid construction, widespread availability, and readily available replacement parts/components.






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Materials: HDPE

HDPE is found more often indoors, whether it’s a recycling basket underneath a desk or a slim-line container in a hallway or lunchroom. It usually yields to other materials in an outdoor setting due to its lightweight nature, allowing other materials to lend better resistance to the elements and temperature fluctuations.

When looking at HDPE (or any plastic material for outdoor use), always ensure it is rated/designed for the application you have in mind and includes UV stabilizers to resist the sun (relevant even in indoor situations when exposed to direct sunlight).






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Materials: LDPE

Low-density polyethylene is another common material used when manufacturing recycling and waste containers. While not as common as HDPE, it does offer some unique benefits.

LDPE is generally more flexible than its more rigid HDPE counterpart, and as such, is a popular choice for outdoor containers or high-traffic indoor areas where durability is of top concern. It is an extremely forgiving material and will not rust, dent, or scratch, and holds up extremely well to the elements. As such, it is one of the most popular choices for outdoor containers.

Due to requirements in its manufacturing process, it is usually used for making larger containers, and it will rarely be as cost effective as HDPE containers.






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Materials: Recycled Plastic Lumber

Recycled plastic lumber is a plastic form of lumber (usually HDPE) made of recycled plastic. Plastic lumber from virgin plastic is also available. Unlike real lumber, it’s resistant to moisture, mold, and rotting. A popular choice for large, indoor and outdoor centralized collection, it’s available in a number of different styles and finishes that are unique to its material.

In an outdoor setting, it is more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and warping over time than some of its other counterparts.

Its higher cost over other materials might be a barrier to some, but its unique finish and design make it a desirable choice for those looking for a large, rigid container that stands out.






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Materials: Melamine

Melamine is a growing trend when it comes to waste collection. Originally more common as office furniture, it now finds itself entering other furnishing markets, including waste and recycling containers. Available in a number of unique finishes (many of which have some element of a wood finish), it blends into almost any office environment/setting.

Melamine is not as durable as some of the other materials discussed, and moisture is a concern. However, this is usually addressed with the use of a rigid plastic liner—its high-end look without the high-end price tag often offsets these concerns.

It is important to note that melamine should NEVER be used in an outdoor setting; it is for indoor applications only.






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Materials: Metal

Metal is one of the most popular choices for containers. Available in a variety of finishes and materials, it is common to find it in both indoor and outdoor settings. The biggest thing to keep in mind when looking at metal is that its cost and quality can vary widely, and finding apples-to-apples comparisons can be tough. Aluminum, steel, and stainless steel all have unique properties when it comes to cost and finish.

While painted metal can provide a desired look, it can also be vulnerable to scratching (and rusting once scratched). Denting and rusting are always of concern (especially when used in an outdoor setting), though if security and/or fire resistance are important, then metal is tough to beat.






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Materials Comparison Chart

Please Note: The number of filled-in stars indicates the degree of value, ranging from inadequate (zero stars) to excellent (five stars).






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Communication






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Communicating with Users

You know what kind of program you want, the type of containers you will be using, and where you will be deploying them. Now all that is left is to communicate properly to your staff and any users about how your system works. This is easier said than done in many cases, as there are a number of challenges and competing theories on how to do this.

While each situation is different, there are a few things to consider that can make everyone’s experience an easy and pleasant one.

The considerations relating to signage and labeling options are discussed in this section of the course.






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The Race Car Bin

A common trend in the industry is to cover all of your bases when it comes to signage, using every image and text available to cover everything the containers could collect. We often refer to this as the “Race Car Bin.” This strategy is often flawed for two simple reasons.

First, no matter how hard you try, you are not going to be able to cover every potential material out there. Something will be missed, and as long as you want the images and text to be a somewhat readable size, you will eventually run out of room on the container.

Second and most importantly, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm the users’ experience. At the end of the day, we are talking about throwing away recyclables or trash —a material that holds little to no value to the person if they are willing to dispose of it. Having the user look through a large number of images or text to identify their material will often result in them giving up, and disposing of it in the container that is nearest, or that has the largest opening.

Please remember the exam password GREEN. You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the online examination.






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Signage: Less Is More

Ideally, you want your signage and labeling to be clear, concise, and simple. Try to address the three or four most popular materials collected with your signage and use simple, consistent wording throughout your program.

If the signage and labeling are easy to identify, your users will be able to make their decisions faster and are much more likely to use the containers correctly.






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Signage and Labeling: Language

Use a few key words to identify each stream; don’t overwhelm users by identifying everything that can go in the container.

For locations with a large number of outside visitors who may not be familiar with your program—such as an airport, a convention center, or a college campus—or if you live in an area with multiple languages, having clean, simple images is important.






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Signage and Labeling: Be Consistent

While having identical containers throughout the facility is always desirable, this cannot always be achieved (due to aesthetics, footprint traffic, and other factors). However, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the program consistent.

Use color. Whether it’s the entire bin, the lid, or even the label identifying the contents the container is going to collect, color is a quick and easy way to identify each stream. As users become more familiar with the program, they will begin to associate the streams by color, and not become reliant on wording and images.

Use consistent imaging and signage when possible, and always keep the wording the same. For example, don’t label one “Cans & Bottles” in one area and “Cans” elsewhere as people will be left wondering where to place the bottle.






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Signage and Labeling: Openings

Restrictive or shaped openings are a great way of encouraging proper sorting of materials; a thin slot is usually designated for paper, a circle for cans and bottles, etc. People will develop a learned behavior through the shapes of the openings, and for the most part, will not try and fit a square peg through a round hole. The openings also make it difficult for them to do that, thus encouraging materials be disposed of in their proper containers.






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Signage and Labeling: Openings

However, in extremely high-traffic areas or areas that receive a large amount of traffic in a small window (e.g., a cafeteria at a large factory with a 30-minute lunch break), some forgo the restrictive openings to avoid slowing people down and use large openings for all of the streams. There are cases of this working, though it does rely more heavily on education and clear signage and labeling.

Increased variety in packaging (e.g., a recent trend of Styrofoam clamshells replaced with plastic packages with the latter being a common recyclable) may also present a problem with the use of restrictive openings. Be wary of that if you find a lot of different shapes in your stream.






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Conclusion






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Consider Reducing Waste in Other Ways

One often overlooked part of any recycling program is that you can contribute to an easier and more efficient program by reducing your consumption of materials. Remember that just because one program works for one area or building, it doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for all areas.

There are many helpful guides and tools at your disposal. Doing the research and planning upfront will answer many questions, and save time and money down the road. Many container suppliers will work with you to set up your program and customize a solution best suited for your needs.






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Examples of Reducing Waste in Other Ways

Listed below are a few examples of other methods to reduce waste.

• Consider providing or encouraging the use of travel mugs and/or reusable water bottles as opposed to disposable plastic bottles.

• Does everything need to be printed? Going paperless when possible can put a lot less stress on a recycling program while saving the company money.

• Provide a fridge and microwave in a lunch room/break room to greatly reduce the amount of take-out containers and food brought in.

• Encourage suppliers/vendors that you deal with to reduce their packaging (or at the very least, encourage that it be done with recyclable materials). A number of practices can be adapted to reduce the amount of materials consumed at an office.






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Continuous Improvement

The most important part of your program’s long-term success is being flexible. You may not get it on the first try; don’t be afraid to try again. Internal e-mails, seminars, and handouts are a great way to educate everyday users, but it shouldn’t stop there. If after a few months you notice certain materials appear to cause confusion (coffee cups are a common one), then be sure to continue staff education. If the containers you have selected have removable/changeable signage, be sure to take advantage of that, and have the next batch highlight/address problematic materials.

An efficient recycling and waste program is always evolving and adapting. Welcome the challenge and embrace it. Asking many initial questions about your goals, your needs, and your program should address these challenges early on, but be willing to be flexible should changes need to be made down the road.






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Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the planning, preparation, and education stages of any recycling and waste program are just as instrumental in your program’s success as selecting the right containers. 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.






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Summary and Resources






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Summary

• Every program has unique requirements and challenges.

• Conduct audits to determine your program’s needs before purchasing bins.

• Decide between deskside stations subsidized with centralized stations or centralized stations with no deskside stations.

• Place centralized stations in high-traffic areas and in spaces where people regularly congregate.

• Determine functionality needs before choosing a material for the containers.

• Consider usage needs when choosing a material for the containers.

• Consider appropriate openings, labeling, signage, and colors that are consistent throughout the facility.

• Reduce waste before needing to recycle.






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References and Resources

Action Research, CBRE, Keep America Beautiful, and PepsiCo Recycling. “Recycling at Work.” Keep America Beautiful, April 2015. Web. Accessed July 2016.https://www.kab.org/sites/default/files/ImproveRecycling_ForBusinesses-Affiliates_RecyclingatWork_WorkplaceRecyclingResearch_Final_Report_April2015.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency. “Advancing Sustainable Materials Management: Facts and Figures.” US Environmental Protection Agency, 2013. Web. Accessed July 2016. https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures/

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. “Economic Impact Study: U.S. Based Scrap Recycling Industry.” John Dunham and Associates, 2015. Web. Accessed July 2016. http://www.isri.org/docs/default-source/recycling-analysis-(reports-studies)/economic-impact-study-u-s-based-scrap-recycling-industry-2015.pdf?sfvrsn=10

http://www.isri.org/docs/default-source/recycling-analysis-(reports-studies)/economic-impact-study-u-s-based-scrap-recycling-industry-2015.pdf?sfvrsn=10

https://www.epa.gov/smm/advancing-sustainable-materials-management-facts-and-figures/

https://www.kab.org/sites/default/files/ImproveRecycling_ForBusinesses-Affiliates_RecyclingatWork_WorkplaceRecyclingResearch_Final_Report_April2015.pdf






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Conclusion

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