There is no doubt that recycling reusable materials is healthy for the environment. Recycling paper, metal, and plastic reduces the need to create more products from natural resources, and allows consumers to get the products they need created from materials that have already been used. Many people already recycle the things they use in their homes, and hundreds of thousands of pounds of recyclables are made into new products every year from the products private consumers don’t throw away.

Many employers have also begun company recycling programs, to do their part for the environment and encourage recycling throughout the workplace. Company recycling is a relatively simple office policy to implement, and can have a great impact on office morale and community spirit.

A company recycling program can begin small, with recycling bins placed in convenient locations, such as in break rooms. Trashcans or storage containers labeled for plastic, metal, and paper, are simple to make and can be placed just about anywhere. A few simple signs reminding employees to recycle will help to ensure recyclables make it into their appropriate containers.

To take company recycling to a higher level, employers can offer incentives to collect recyclables or hold competitions to see which offices or staff members can collect the most. Many towns and cities have recycling pickup for free or for a small fee, and if these services do not exist where your business is located most towns have localized recycling facilities where recyclables can be dropped off.

Creating a company recycling program will show your employees and customers that you care about the environment and community. It creates a positive image for your business, and helps to cut down on the use of natural resources in a bigger way than one person can do alone. A company recycling program also influences everyone who enters a business from employees to customers, and encourages them to recycle at home, further propagating the cycle of re-use and environmental awareness.

Written by Payton Williams
http://www.Greenedup.org

Recycling as a company is all about habit. Think about it. When you have a piece of trash you instinctively toss it in the trash bin. That is a habit built up over many years. I find the same is true with recycling. If you have a blue bin in your office for recycling copy paper all you have to do is get everyone to get in the habit of tossing their used paper into it instead of the trash bin. It takes a while but it is very effective.

When I started recycling as a company I offered positive reinforcement at the beginning to motivate staff to recycle. For instance, when we put a recycling bin in the break room for aluminum and plastic bottles and cans, I offered a prize for the person who deposited the most items in the can. I tied a permanent marker to the bin and had everyone put their initials on the item they were tossing. At first people were doing it for the prize, but after a couple of months they were just habitually tossing their cans and bottles into the bin. It worked like a charm.

Recycling as a company is a great way to contribute to protecting the Earth and when done as a group it is a lot easier to make a difference. You can motivate your staff like I did through prizes or you can just educate them on how they are helping the green cause. Once they see examples of how recycling as a company makes a difference they will no doubt be happy to partake in recycling part of the daily routine. One thing I have done is reward staffers who come up with interesting and new ways to recycle too.

Here is something to think about for recycling as a company. Instead of buying all new office furniture when you need it, why not buy used? Sites like Craig’s List are great for finding gently used office furniture. This is the ultimate in recycling because you keep the furniture from getting into landfills by using it over and over again. It also saves you a lot of money. Recycling as a company is all about attitude and habit. Doing your part as a company to help the Earth is not just the right thing to do but it can also help the bottom line.