Most people are more than willing to contribute to a recycling project, if only they know what, where, and how to do so. Installing clean, attractive containers in good locations is an important aspect of creating a successful project at any business, school, event, or community center. There is no denying that collecting these materials saves natural resources, reduces land fill use, and can cut costs and generate income. Building a successful project is as simple as using the proper containers, installing them in the best possible locations, and educating potential users about the benefits of the program.
Pick The Proper Recycling Bins
Converting paper, can, and bottle trash into marketable commodities can be a highly successful cost cutter and moneymaker if people see and use the containers. Instead of using old trash cans, cardboard boxes, or garbage bags to collect and sort marketable bottles, cans, and paper, companies and organizations can use clean, attractive recycling bins that come in a variety of sizes, styles, colors, and designs. They can feature informative signs and stickers, easy to access deposit slots and holes, and come in many different shapes, sizes and colors.
Small office bins can collect a surprising amount of high-grade, recyclable paper. Soda, juice, and water cans and bottles can provide easy income when collected and returned or sold, depending upon the state’s policies. Larger scale operations have found they can often bring in a significant new source of income that had been a substantial trash disposal expense. Selecting the best size and shape recycling bins for a specific application depends largely on the materials, volume, and users expected at the location.
Where To Place Recycling Bins
Many offices find that small collection containers work well under desks, near copy machines, in mailrooms, and near conference room doors for collecting high-grade paper. In the same way, can and bottle bins work well when placed near soda machines, vending machines, lunchrooms, and break rooms. Placing the appropriate receptacle where it is most likely needed significantly increase usage rates. If no one knows where it is, it’s not likely to be used by any but the most dedicated environmentalist. At the same time, placing containers too close to regular trash cans can result in their being used for inappropriate materials.
Building A Successful Program
Education is the deciding factor in a successful program. Signs, company-wide announcements, school contests, training sessions, and newsletter articles are all ways to share the news about the program. People are more likely to participate in the program when they understand the basics of natural resource management, the problem of over-flowing landfills, and the cost cutting, income generating potential that comes from reprocessing reusable materials. As complex as this may sound, much of the education has already been done for you through schools, media programs, and community efforts. In addition, recycling bins can display informative stickers that make it easy for users to identify what items go into which bin.
Attractive, clearly labeled recycling containers that are strategically placed can significantly increase the participation rate for the program, whether the goal is to protect the environment, cut costs, build a positive public image, generate income, or any combination. Recycling is a win-win situation for companies and communities of all sizes.
