For most business owners, recycling is something they do to reduce the carbon footprint their business has. The key to having success with a company-wide recycling program is getting the entire team on board. This will take some time and effort, but it will be worth it considering the amount of waste you can help to eliminate.
If you are new to the world of recycling, you may be unsure about how to get this process started in your company and there are likely to be many things you didn’t know about recycling. However, there are also a number of recycling facts you probably don’t know. Read below for some helpful information on recycling and why focusing on the conservation of resources is so important.
1. The problem with most product packaging
When most business owners think about recycled materials, they immediately assume that paper goods are the most common type of materials in landfills. In reality, in America for example, over 30% of the waste produced is from product packaging and containers. Only around half of these materials are recyclable, which causes a lot of harm to the environment. As a business owner, you need to be mindful of the packaging that is on the products you use.
Ideally, you need to only use products that come in recyclable packaging. If you produce items that are sold to the general public, you need to make sure the packaging is eco-friendly. Getting an inspection performed that is in accordance with Phase I ESA is a good idea. With some professional help, you can pinpoint problems within your organization and address them quickly.
2. Your location determines what is recyclable
As you start to develop your company-wide recycling plan, you need to gather some pertinent information. One of the main things you need to focus on is exactly what you can recycle. Making this decision will require you to find out more about your local recycling capabilities. Contacting your local authority is crucial when trying to get this important information.
The types of materials that are able to be recycled depends solely on the type of technology in place. For instance, not all recycling and waste management services are able to dispose of things like electronics or items with batteries. Before you figure out what materials you want to collect and recycle, be sure to contact your local recycling center. Seeking out information about what a particular recycling center can handle will help you develop a comprehensive recycling plan for your business.
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3. Get to know local recycling rules
Another important thing you need to get familiar with when trying to create a recycling plan for your business is the rules your local recycling facility abides by. Generally, recycling facilities will refuse any metallic wrappers and some thicker plastic containers. This is due in part to the fact that these materials are a bit difficult to recycle.
Ignoring the need for information about your local recycling facility and what they can handle will lead to a lot of mistakes being made. Rather than dealing with the problems these mistakes can cause, you need to get all of your ducks in a row before starting a recycling program. Seeking out the guidance of eco-friendly business owners can be helpful during this planning process.
Don’t wait to start a recycling program
The longer you wait to get the ball rolling on a recycling program, the more waste your business will ultimately create. A comprehensive recycling program will not only help the environment, it can also help your business.
