Page 492 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

470 COMMERCIAL, RETAIL, FINANCIAL, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE APPLICATIONS

employee is responsible for transporting nonrecyclable waste to centralized contain-
ers in employee break rooms. The purpose of the concept is motivating employees
to recycle by creating barriers to generating nonrecyclable waste. By employing this
concept, a Toledo, Ohio–based company was able to reduce waste disposal costs by
40 percent and consolidate general waste removal from 5 days to 2 days per week.

37.5 Implementation and Approach

Below are general procedures for implementing a solid waste reduction program in an
office setting:

■ Describe the direction, objectives, and proposed goal(s) of the recycling program.
■ Define the requirements necessary to accomplish this.
■ Identify the waste categories and types.
■ Review and evaluate
■ Current collection and disposal practice(s)
■ Current paper collection concept
■ Current waste disposal contract(s)
■ Assess composition of general cafeteria trash.
■ Identify new wastes not currently identified or recovered.
■ Develop campaign concept and requirements.
■ Develop facility departments’ interface and support requirements.
■ Schedule for program scope work.
■ Develop capital and expense budget outline.
■ Search out and contact local reclaiming and recycling vendors.
■ Use services of local consultant(s) as needed.

Office paper constitutes 45 percent of the waste generated for these businesses and
marks the starting point for recycling programs in this sector. Office paper recycling
has a high level of visibility, helps to foster employee buy-in, and can generate early
wins for the recycling program. The following are step-by-step procedures for insti-
tuting an office paper–recycling program. The steps include

■ Determining what papers need to be recycled
■ Locating a vendor who meets your requirements
■ Procedures for setting up a program
■ Monitoring your recycling progress throughout the year
■ Keeping the program alive

The success of any office recycling program depends on the support and coopera-
tion from every employee, from the highest levels of management to the employees
who carry out the actual collection procedures. In addition, effective relationship
management with recycling vendors is critical. Below is a short list of vendor require-
ments for office paper–recycling programs: