The type of facility, office layout, and corporate culture dictates the specifics of your program; however, there are some basic steps that are common to most office recycling programs:

• Find or designate an individual to be the recycling coordinator.
• Contact OCRRA to schedule a free on-site visit from a Recycling Specialist. Business Recycling Specialists provide free resources and information on how to implement an effective recycling program in your workplace.
• Discuss the program with your custodial staff or cleaning service. Your office may be doing a great job separating recyclables, but if the custodial staff or cleaning service don’t know where to properly dispose of the recyclables; e.g. they put them in a separate bag in the trash dumpster thinking they will be separated by your hauler, your recyclables will not be recycled! It is important to make everyone aware of the recycling process.
• Begin separating recyclables from trash at the source; e.g. by your desk, in the mail room, and / or break room.
• Make sure that your landlord or waste hauler has the appropriate containers ready for you to use outdoors; e.g. dumpsters or toters. Be sure what has been separated indoors; stays separated when it gets outdoors. (Some companies do not have a hauler that removes their waste, but instead choose to “self-haul” their recyclable materials. Click here for a list of local companies that accept recyclable paper and cardboard, as well as some other recyclable materials generated in the workplace.)
• Educate your co-workers. Review recycling info sheets that OCRRA provides. Post one in a common area and distribute a copy or e-mail one to all employees. Send a customizable memo to all employees explaining what can be recycled and where.
• Distribute recycling containers to all employees. There are three basic models for paper recycling:
  
  
  • Each desk, as well as other areas of high paper generation such as mailrooms and copy rooms, has two containers; one for trash and one for paper.
  • Each desk has only one container and it is used for paper recycling only; what little trash that is generated is taken to a nearby central collection point.
  • Each desk has one container for trash only; paper is taken to a nearby central collection point.
    
    Which model you choose is determined by your unique situation. You can also use different models in different areas of your facility. Be sure to place larger containers to collect paper near copiers and mailrooms and put a bottle and can bin in the break room.

OCRRA’s Recycling Specialist’s can advise you as to what has worked in similar facilities and provide you with free containers, posters, and other educational materials. Contact OCRRA’s Business Recycling Specialists at 453-2866 today.