G U I D E T O

RECYCLING BUSINESS

Planters Lifesavers Company

Mike McClellan

It's tough to be a meteorologist and not be concerned - or knowledgeable - about environmental issues. NewsWatch 12's Chief Meteorologist, Mike McClellan, has turned that concern into a weekly report. Thursdays on Newswatch12 at 6 p.m., tune in for Mike's Earthwatch segments. You'll learn the latest about environmental news and trends from around the Piedmont and the world. For the latest on our precious en- vironment, there's only one source for news in the Piedmont: Mike McClellan and NewsWatchl2.

To business leaders of the Piedmont:

Planters Lifesavers Co., WXII, and Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful are proud to provide you with this Corporate Recycling Guide. We believe it will inspire you, and make it a bit simpler to do your part for the environment.

Each of our organizations has made a commitment to recycling and purchasing recycled goods whenever possible, for several reasons. For one, it's good business. Recycling makes economic sense. For another, it's necessary. If we don't conserve and reuse our resources now, we eventually will be faced with a dire situation.

We think you will agree that's a scenario we want to avoid.

Adopting a recycling program is not an easy proposition, In essence, you will be asking people to change habits they have had for years. At times, it may seem easier to throw everything in one bin, haul it off and forget about it.

We think, however, we can no longer afford to forget and be careless about the resources we use. The tide is turning toward environmental concern. With some encouragement from the top, we have found employees ready and eager to participate and assist with our recycling programs.

Please join us. Remember, the planet you save will be your own. p P A &

Ice President, General Manager, wr$LI Quality & Environmental Affairs

- Planters LiWavers Co.

Keepwinston-SalekBeautiful

, , . . ;ia.’$ i i 1a:Ih‘

Reach down below your desk and take a look at your trash can. That mess of paper and more paper and soda cans may not look like much (after all, it’s garbage). But in fact, there’s money resting in that 01’ circular file. Money, and the remnants of trees and energy. If you think twice about your trash, it makes sense to think about recycling at the office.

You may already be doing it at home - and we think it’s just as important to do it in the workplace. Recycling and environmental concerns may seem like a fad but really, they’re a reality of the new century that’s before us. We need to take the initiative and recycle now, before the mandatory rules and restrictions are imposed - and before we further deplete our natural resources.

Here are just a few good reasons why your company should start a recycling program:

h ‘ O ‘ ! i : 4 r j Ilro gtrrhtrg:) going t o local l a n d f i l l s i s husin~s.s/incluslr.iul l i ~ C I S ! l ’

9 d !9%jS thunks t o LY.C‘. Senate H i l l 1 1 1 . cit ies and countivs : . : ) “ d ‘ ( 1 / o vu! &he crmnrrnt ofgctrbagc> generated by 25%,~

** ! ‘ J p ~ w ~ , ~ I . ~ a ’ k , 41t f i?f ’I t rnc! l i l l r r r . c ~ p r . o j c v * t r d f o tlouhlr. ~ ~ . t J * i p / c > oivr the. ‘ t c b . \ - ? i.!t 4.h !(* s l x P’CYIF’~’. it .hlr*ta Lclill mcan crn incrt.a.scj in clisposal c o s t s ‘ 6 - ‘ : ‘ t : . ~ l i ’ , g ( ’ ~ ( ’ ! ’ c t 0 ? ’ . \ .

f i w ~ r i ~ n g ut uwrk i s grcwt public relations for y o u r businc2ss. C ’ u s - f{)tn(>r.< und a s s o r i u t c ~ s apprwiatcj muironmental consc.iou.srrc..s.s.

Basically, recycling makes sense - economically and environmentally.

First things first: How much waste does your business generate, anyway?

Every day, every office generates pounds and pounds of waste: paper, cans, bottles, newspapers. It may not seem like a lot, but collectively, even a small business can generate a significant amount of garbage, and a significant amount of @& can be recycled.

Use this chart to figure out just how much trash you create: r

Total Garbage Generation:

1.55 lbs. lbs. No. employees (a) x Avg. lbs. garbage/ Garbage/day (b)

- -

employee/day

lbs. - 240 days 2,000 lbs. Lbs./ton Tons/month

- 1 Garbage/ Working f 12 months + -

day0 -

dayslyear " __.

\ Recyclable Paper Generation: i

5 1 lbs. lbs. No. employees (a) x Avg. lbs. recyclable

- - Recyclable

paper/employee/day paper/day (c)

lbs. - 240 days 2,000 lbs. j Recyclable Working

- + 12 months + - Lbs./ton Tonslmonth

; i Potential Paper Recovery Rates: 1 i 1 85 - r , Tondmonth x Employee -

Tons/month 1 recyclable paper (d) participation rate recyclable paper i (conservation rate) 1

recovered (e) I

Take a visual survey to determine your company's use of cans, bottles and newspapers. Is there a soda machine which dispenses cans or plastic or glass bottles? In company break areas, are the trash bins overflowing with these containers? How many newspapers arrive at the office every day? A brief look at the day-to-day office use of these recyclable items can help you decide whether to begin a program that focuses only on office paper, or on these other materials, as well.

No matter what your company generates, your participation is important. We think this six-step program will make the decision to recycle a bit easier.

Designate a program coordinator

The program coordinator can make or break your recycling program. He or she manages the program and acts as liaison among management, maintenance supervisors, employees and outside recyclables buyers.

You might want to send out a short survey to your staff before you start your program to gauge the level of interest in recycling. Most people will agree that it’s a good idea, and once they have done so, are more likely to participate. The survey may also help you recruit a program coordinator and monitors.

The time required to coordinate the program will vary according to your organization’s size, building layout, and the services that either staff or outside contractors will provide.

In most cases, the program coordinator job can be handled by one person. Depending on the size of your company, a few monitors can help implement and sustain the program.

The initial start-up of the program will require substantial time commitments from your program coordinator. But once the program is in operation for a couple of weeks, time requirements tend to decrease and then stabilize.

Program coordinator responsibilities include:

As you can see from the responsibilities, your coordinator doesn’t need a degree in recycling. Organizational experience and good communication skills are of the utmost importance. So, too, is enthusiasm for the recycling effort.

Determine what you generate and decide what to recycle.

With a coordinator in place, now is the time to do a more specific analysis of how much waste your company generates and what kinds you plan to recycle.

Recyclable waste will fall into several categories:

PAPER There are several different categories. Paper dealers will prefer that the different kinds be kept separate. This provides them with a more marketable material and assures you highest market price for your paper. If you mix high grades of paper with low grades, you’ll be paid the low grade price. Remember to remove paper clips, binders and rubber bands; staples are acceptable.

Computer paper (green and white, high grade)

White ledger paper (high grade) Includes: white letterhead plain or bond copying paper typing and writing paper white computer paper white forms other dull finish white paper white manilla tab cards white notepad paper adding machine tape white envelopes (no cellophane windows)

Many companies are discontinuing use of colored paper and using all white paper which is more marketable.

File stock (low grade) colored paper kraft envelopes fax and telex sheets other glossy papers blueprints file folders tissue paper self-adhesive notes

Newspapers Magazines Phone books Cardboard Cardboard is generated in about every business, and

can be easily broken down and stored. Must be free of contami- nants such as food and grease.

GLASS Needs to be rinsed and separated by color. No need to remove labels.

ALUMINUM AND BI-METAL CANS Do not need to be separated.

PLASTICS Most businesses do not generate a lot of post-consumer plastic waste. Milk jugs, soft drink bottles and plastic grocery shopping bags are the items in this category that are recyclable.

PLASTICS (INDUSTRIAL) There are some types of industrial plastic waste that can be recycled, such as plastic shrink wrap. Recycling resources listed in this brochure can help you with identifying recy- clables at your company.

Initially, you may want to limit your recycling efforts to paper, and later add cans, bottles or plastics. Companies have successfully implemented programs both in stages, and all at once. How you choose to do this depends on your individual situations and preferences.

You may have some seemingly obscure wastes, chemicals, plastics, metals, textiles, etc., that you ordinarily send to the dumpsters. If so, take a look at the Southeast Waste Exchange, a quarterly listing of what companies are getting rid of, and what others are looking for. This industrial “trading post” can be reached through:

The Southeast Waste Exchange Urban Institute/UNCC Charlotte, NC 28223 704-547-2307

There is a fee to subscribe and to list materials. \

c Contact local recycling or waste management companies

Now that you know what you’d like to recycle and approximately how much of these goods you generate, you need to find an outside recycling company.

Some of the materials you will recycle will be paid for; others will not. Remember that the price paid for recyclables fluctuates dramatically. Nego- tiate for the best price, but pay close attention to the kind of service you will receive. Sign a n agreement that details the frequency and time of pick-ups.

If your business generates enough material, most recycling companies will supply large storage bins. Many dealers will help you organize and promote your program. And if you need confidential materials to be destroyed, many dealers can provide for this service, as well.

-

Design and enact a collection and storage process for recovered resources

By integrating your resource recovery collection with your normal trash collection system, you’ll minimize the need for extra storage space and containers. You’ll likely be able to maintain the same number of staff and expenses necessary for collection.

Recovering recyclable materials from your business’ waste stream will reduce the amount of waste you would normally have collected for disposal. If designed correctly, a high-grade office paper recycling program should add no more time to in-house collection operations. Think of it this way: Now custodial time will be allocated to saving your company money, rather than to throwing away valuable resources.

How your business collects and stores its recovered resources will depend on the quantity of materials you generate and the pick-up schedule you negotiate with the buyer. Use the following steps as a guide to develop your collection and storage system:

Identify where your recyclables are generated and the amount generated at each location.

Designate storage space. Your storage needs will be determined by the quantity of materials generated and the length of time between pick-ups. Seek the help of your maintenance or building supervisor to identify adequate storage space. You don’t need to have a specially designed room for storage - so be creative if space is not readily apparent.

Determine where to place collection containers, and how many and what type are needed.

Individual desk-top containers are excellent for recovering office paper. Use larger, centrally located containers to allow employees to empty their individual containers.

Acquire collection containers. Purchase new or used containers or modify existing containers.

Finalize the in-house collection system. Meet with in-house cleaning staff to discuss responsibilities and answer questions. Items to review are: service schedules for each collection area, and who to call with problems or questions.

Getting your employees to buy into the program

Promotion is the key to all successful recycling programs. Employees will participate if they are well informed about the program and its benefits. We recommend three separate steps for your promotion campaign: a kick-off memo, educational sessions and follow-up publicity. Sample memos to help you with promotion are included.

Kick-off Memo

Send out a kick-off memo announcing the start of the program. Make sure it is signed by the CEO or senior officer of the company. If it isn't, be sure to indicate his or her support to give the program additional credibility. In the memo, highlight benefits of the program and explain the separation and collection procedures. Also, include information on where the revenue from the program will go. Many companies donate a percentage of the revenue to a local charity and/or sponsor office parties or outings. Adapt the sample memo for your company.

Sample Kick-Off Memo

TO: All XYZ Company Employees FROM: Jane Doe, President DATE: February 1, 1991 SUBJECT: Office Paper Recycling at XYZ COMPANY

Studies show that each office worker throws away an average of a half-pound of recyclable paper every day. That's equivalent to (X TONS) a year from our office alone. This means that over (X Trees) and (X Gallons of Oil) are needed each year to keep our office afloat in paper.

To put this paper to better use, we're starting an office recycling program. By recycling, we'll lower our garbage disposal costs, earn revenue from the sale of our paper, and do our part to improve the environment. In addition, a portion of the revenue earned from our program will go to ABC Charity.

Participation in this program will require only small changes in your daily habits. You will be given a desk-top container for storing white paper and computer paper. When your container is full, simply empty the contents into the central container nearest to your desk. The locations of the central containers will be:

Please attend a short orientation session to learn more about how the program works. Three 15-minute sessions have been scheduled for XXXXX. The sessions will start at XXX, YYY, and ZZZ. Your supervisor has a sign-up sheet.

Your participation in this program does make a difference. For every piece of paper you recycle, you will: . Protect the environment and save natural resources . Conserve scarce landfill space . Raise money for our company and for ABC Charity.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact XXXXXXXXX at x-000. Thanks for your cooperation.

(X Tons) x ( X EMPLOYEES) x .5 Ibs. x 240 working days/yr./2,000 Ibs. (X TREES) = 17 TREES x (X TONS) of paper (X GALLONS OF OIL) = 682.5 gallons of oil x (X Tons) of paper

Educational sessions

Encourage all employees to attend a brief informational session about the program. The sessions can be incorporated into a regular staff meeting and the ‘do’s and don’ts,’ as well as the benefits of the program, can be thoroughly explained.

At this session, it’s helpful to provide a ‘how-to’ memo. Once your program is up and running, be sure to inform any new employees about the recycling program as part of their orientation.

Sample HOW-TO Memo for Educational Sessions

TO: ALL XYZ COMPANY EMPLOYEES FROM: JANE DOE, PRESIDENT DATE: FEBRUARY 1,1991 SUBJECT: Office Paper Recycling at XYZ Company

How the program works:

You will be glven a desk-top container to go on or near your desk. When you’re through using any white paper or computer paper, simply put it into your container instead of the trash can. When your container is full, empty the contents into one of the central containers on your floor. Paper is much more valuable when it is separated by grade, so please put paper into the corresponding bins. All central containers will be clearly marked.

Because we have a lifelong habit of throwing something away when we’re finished using it, it may take some time to remember not to throw recyclable paper into the trash can. You have to think about it at first, but in a very short time it will become just another one of those things you do instinctively.

Please keep all colored paper, magazines, glossy paper, carbon paper, newspapers, soda cans, etc., out of the recycling containers. If you’re recycling an old report, please remove the covers, any colored paper, and plastic bindings. Metal staples and small paper clips do not need to be removed. Check the list on your desk-top container if you are not sure about what items are acceptable.

If you are getting rid of a lot of old forms or files, let your program coordinator know ahead of time so that the waste paper dealer can be called to bring extra containers or to do extra pickups. If the central containers fill up before the scheduled pickup, try pushing the paper down. The container may just be full of a lot of air. If the container is definitely full, find a box to use for the overflow and ask the coordinator to call for a pickup.

Follow-up publicity

Reinforcing the new recycling habit is very important. Quantities recycled, revenue earned, disposal cost savings and any problems such as putting trash into the central containers or low participation rates can be highlighted in follow-up memos. Continual reminders will help maintain a successful program. We recommend that you distribute Recycling Updates every quarter.

Monitor the program and reinforce the newly developed recycling habit.

Unacceptable materials inevitably will be collected in your recycling program during the first several weeks. Some people will be confused about what's recyclable. Some won't recall what to do with their recyclables.

Don't panic. These problems happen at the beginning of nearly every recycling program, but are easily overcome.

During the first several weeks, the program coordinator must keep in close contact with the collection staff, program monitors, company management and the recyclables buyers. Responding quickly and appropriately to any 'bugs' in your system is critical to operating an effective program.

Make an extra effort to minimize employee confusion by enthusiastically reminding employees which materials are and are not acceptable for recycling. Thank them for their early support and participation. Get top management to applaud employees early in the program.

The importance of $) !<! - ! a ’ $ I !a%

By changing the way you look at garbage, you’ll see more than the potential to recycle. There are simple things you can do each day that will cut back on what you consume as well as what you throw away. Here are some ways to precycle:

:Makc. t 1r.o-sided copies. I ;S(J thc. blank side of‘nscdpapcv- a s wratrh pc~pc’r. thcw rc .c*?!c . l r% i t .

0 d ‘SP m u g s nnd c w p s f3-0nt home rrzstcwd of‘clisposcrhlc. s t , \ . rof i ic lm und

a W’hw> ? v r . c . r r l a & r r l , g r n t ~ m o . 5 . I I S P (I sir1,glc. P O ~ J * I t , i t h (I r ~ ~ u t i ~ ~ , ~ ; .<ii/j p u p r -~l,o.s.

~ n s t ~ w t j <>! r n u / f i p i t ? r*r,jlicJs fiw r # c r c * h pc>r’sor, . IClr,\’ I C ? !~ulk ?, 5 : ~ t , o l d : * w t ~ . ~ p u t * f - t ~ t , < i ~ t g . % I $ ’ c ’ r>Ufl<’!‘ < ’ l r f ) s ; ’ ‘ < ? * ? a ?Yl( i i i ! ‘ C i l b r~<’{ ’<’ i l 6‘. I P ? l d ! ~ $ ~ l l . S ( ’ ,

0 br, f t r d ~<’,!/”,<, ! - t : r ~ ’ : : * 4 1 1 f I C i’:#lJ , Y $ Y !

The impor$ance of purchasing goods made from recyclables

Recycling is half the battle. We must create a market for goods that are made from what we recycle.

The next time you order company letterhead, envelopes or business cards, check with your printer for samples of paper that have been recycled.

Have your printer make note pads from discarded paper, and distribute to employees.

Check your suppliers to find out about other recycled goods for your office: toilet paper, garbage bags, paper napkins or paper towels, pens or legal pads. Or contact one of the recycling experts listed below for suggestions.

There’s no limit to your involvement in recycling. But there is a limit to our planet’s resources.

Local resources

General Information: Most of these agencies will work with you as you design and implement a recycling program. Check with each to find out specific resources and assistance provided.

Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful P.O. Box 2511, Winston-Salem 27102 727-8013 High Point Keep America Beautiful P.O. Box 230, High Point 27261 883-3517 Greensboro Beautiful P.O. Box W-2, Greensboro 27402 373-2957 Citizens for Waste Reduction and Management 2301 Farm Gate Road, Browns Summit, Greensboro 27214 375-4515 Solid Waste Management Division P.O. Box 3136, Greensboro 27402 373-2035