Recycling
is never as easy as it sounds. When you’re at home, and about to dispose of an
item, it’s not uncommon to be unsure if it goes in the bin or if it’s suitable
for recycling. This separation process only becomes more complicated when it
comes to business waste management.
Yet
separating out recyclable items from non-recyclable ones has become
increasingly important for companies. Government regulations, financial
incentives, and simply helping the environment are many reasons for a business
to go green.
However, if
you’re struggling to implement a recycling system, below are some important separation
methods to keep in mind.
Store in suitable areas
All recycling
programs need to start with a clear plan in place. That begins by having an
area dedicated to storing your recyclable materials. This should include multiple
bins with clear labels indicating what should be added. For instance, a green
label could state the bin is for cardboard, while a red label might be for
hazardous waste.
Separating
recyclable materials from each other is imperative for your recycling efforts. In
the case of separating plastics, you also need to divide this material
according to its type and grade. For instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
has to be separated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) before it is sent to a
processing center.
Compact it down
If you’re
dealing with a substantial amount of waste, recycling balers can play a large role in your efforts. You’d expect us to say that,
admittedly, but it’s true! By compacting materials into bales, it’s much easier
to store and transport your recyclable waste.
This is
advantageous for a number of reasons. It saves space and keeps your work
environment free from clutter. It helps to save money by transferring larger
volumes of recyclable materials in one go, which reduces transportation and
waste disposal costs. You can even sell certain baled materials, which opens
the door to an additional revenue stream for your company.
Use the right technology
You might have
a baler or transfer station compactor, but other forms of technology
should be part of your recycling efforts. Even if your business only deals with
a relatively small amount of waste materials, you can implement smart bins
which detect the waste type and direct it to the correct container. This is
useful for dividing everything from a plastic beverage bottle to tin cans.
For recycling
companies and other large-scale organizations, conveyor belt systems, which
shake, move, and separate contents based on their size, weight, and other
measures, are utilized.
Educate your employees
Teaching
your employees about your recycling scheme is imperative. They need to know
about the separation techniques in place, the reasons why it is being done, and
why they need to play their part.
Aside from
teaching them about your recycling procedures, also promote an eco-friendlier
workplace. This includes removing single-use plastics and going paperless.
These small steps can make a significant difference and reduce the waste that
your business produces.