How to Start a Recycling Program
- Decide What to Recycle
- Find a Vendor
- Decide on Storage
- Educate Participants
- Label Bins
- Maintain and Monitor
1. Decide What to Recycle
This decision will be based on a number of things. From space and collection restrictions to contamination and group participation, starting your own program takes some major planning. Make sure to cover the following ground before you invest too much time and money:
- Evaluate how much space you have to sort and store materials and what items you tend to go through on a regular basis, such as plastic bottles.
- Remember, not all things are recyclable in all areas of the country. It varies greatly by city, county and state.
- Always check with your local municipality or waste hauler to see what kind of recycling services are available in your area.
- Understand contaminants! Throwing the wrong thing into the recycling mix can actually harm your recycling and cost the recycler money. In fact, some estimates put the costs of contamination in the neighborhood of $700 million per year, industry-wide.
2. Find a Vendor
Check with your local recycling center, municipality and waste hauler to find out what kind of materials are accepted in your area. This is an important step that will determine the size and capability of your program. When contacting vendors, make sure to ask the right questions, including:
- What materials they accept for recycling?
- Are there limits on quantity (e.g. pounds or tons) they except?
- What is the pickup schedule?
- Is there a minimum volume requirement?
- Is there a charge involved?
- How often will charges occur?
3. Decide on storage
Creating a recycling center in your home can be as simple as a bin or as complicated as a sorting station; it all depends on what you prefer and how you choose to collect it. There are many collection methods, such as source separation and commingled collection.
With source separation, recyclables are separated by specific type. Examples:
- Paper recycling would have many bins including: white paper, colored paper, cardboard, office mail, magazines/catalogs, etc.
- Plastic recycling would have bins for each type of plastic: #1-7
Pros:
- Bin items are extremely specific, with fewer questions as to what goes where
- Separated materials can have a higher market value
- It creates more environmental awareness for participants
Cons:
- It requires more recycling bins (and a higher setup cost)
- Your recycling coordinator may have to spend time sorting materials
- You may have to find multiple destinations for recyclables if they are source-separated
With commingled collection, recyclables are mixed together. The separation process happens at a Material Recovery Facility. Examples:
- Paper recycling has one bin to collect all paper
- Plastic recycling has one bin to collect plastics #1-7 together
Pros:
- It is less time-consuming for employees
- It usually involves larger participating groups
- The recycling coordinator will have less time invested
Cons:
- Market values may be lower (e.g. mixed office paper may lower the value of computer paper if both are combined)
- Materials may be contaminated easier if commingled
- Less opportunity for education about recycling
Once you choose a storage method, the rest is pretty straight-forward. Washable plastic bins or trash cans are usually the best to use for storage between collections. Also, be sure to rinse out any food containers before sorting them. This will help to eliminate the onslaught of bugs.
For convenience purposes, placing your recycling bins by your trash cans will help insure that people are reminded to recycle and not just throw things away.
4. Educate Participants
If items are put in the wrong containers, it means more work for you and could mean materials might not be recycled. Keeping everyone in your household informed, including visitors, in the only way to keep your program running smoothly. Clearly marked labels, in addition to a “Do’s and Don’ts” list clearly posted by your bins, will help eliminate mishaps.
It is also a good idea to get the entire household involved. Whether it is sign making, cleaning out bins or dealing with the collection vendor, there are roles for everyone regardless of age or recycling knowledge.
5. Label Bins
If you practice source separation, make sure individual bins are clearly labeled to ensure the items stay separate. If one bin is all you need, make sure it is labeled “Recycle,” so non-recyclable items don’t get thrown in.
In addition to knowing what to recycle and where it goes, some additional instructions may be needed. This may include:
- Removing caps or lids
- Stomping on containers to reduce the space they consume
- Breaking down cardboard boxes
- Bundling newspapers
- Washing out food containers
6. Maintain and Monitor
Keep storage bins clean and dry and make sure materials don’t pile up. A clean recycling area encourages other to keep it clean and uncluttered as well.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Irresistible Saidolimxon
posted on August 26th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Nang Kein Kham
posted on September 17th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Charles Kashatok
posted on September 29th, 2011 at 5:54 am
Emeka Obidiebube
posted on October 9th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Ibrahim Mohammed
posted on November 9th, 2011 at 10:47 am
Claire Higgins
posted on November 15th, 2011 at 1:54 am
Kevin Wesley
posted on December 9th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Beverly Thompson
posted on December 16th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Kofoworola Adegboyega
posted on January 11th, 2012 at 7:29 pm