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.
shannon
posted on April 10th, 2009 at 4:58 am
I want desperately to start recycling since I’ve moved back to the mountains. In the city, you just don’t “get” how beautiful the earth is and the need to protect it. The problem is, no one in my family is on board with me. My biggest things to recycle would be soda cans, plastic bottles, and styrofoam I think. What are some home-made bins you’d suggest? I don’t think my new husband wants to spend money on special recycling bins!
I’ve already started a compost bin and have been keeping aluminum cans in a bag. I have plenty of room on my back porch off my kitchen.
Please help!
Shannon
shannon
posted on April 10th, 2009 at 4:59 am
What about burning paper products? If you can’t recycle them, wouldn’t THAT be better than just throwing them away???
Jessica
posted on June 11th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Burning paper is NOT better for the enviornment because the smoke is excess as it is an “unnautral” fire.
Hermann Rosemond
posted on August 5th, 2009 at 7:45 am
need to know the cost of recycling equipments to start a recycling business from scratch in one of the Islands
Please help
Rose
posted on August 5th, 2009 at 8:43 am
You don’t need fancy bins. I use an old clothes hamper that I keep in my kitchen and everything goes in there. Once I week I sort it and put on the curb for pick up. You will be surpirse how much garbage you will NOT put out. Composting is good too. I have a sealed bowl on my kitchen sink, and no it does not smell. If you have bug problems make sure you can cover it. we also have a bin outside for our yard waste. It all adds up.
Amanda
posted on August 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I went to a high school football game and couldn’t believe the amount of plastic sodas bottles lying around after the game. My kids and I got a big trash bag and fiiled it up and I will take them to a center. How do I get a program started to have schools recycle this bottles on a regular basis? Who do I need to get in contact with and is there a benefit for schools who recycle? I’m very passionate about this and really need some help.
Amanda, NC
Allen Parker
posted on October 6th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Like Amanda, I saw hundreds if not thousands of plastic bottles after a baseball game at our local park. I want to start recyling these, but don’t have the money for bins, etc. I would pick them up every week, but is there a govt agency that I can contact to get the ball rolling on some funding or something? It is a shame all this stuff goes to the landfill.
Treasure Elkins
posted on October 22nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Like Allen and Amanda, I have been trying to find out if there is anything that will compensate schools for recycling plastic, paper even milk cartons from cafeterias. Just think of all the plastic bottles at ball parks, etc. I have contacted Coke and Chick-fil-A in our area which help schools but they have nothing to suggest for elementary, middle and high schools. Any help or direction in this area will be greatly appreciated.
Thanking in advance,
Treasure Elkins
D.M. Hoisington
posted on November 4th, 2009 at 2:06 am
I have recently been widowed and have been trying to think of something I can do in a small town where I live to make a little money. There is no recycling program here and am trying to find out how to get one started but it seems like it will take a lot of money to get set up. I too, wonder if there is any money available anywhere to help get a program going. Would like to know if anyone has sucessfully begun such a program and if they were able to get any help with getting it started.