One of the most common and effective green initiatives to implement in a workplace is to start a paper-recycling program. However, starting such a program may be more challenging than initially thought and hang-ups and frustrations may cause one to give up all together. Valerie Androutsopoulos, principal of Vangel Paper Inc., discussed challenges in starting a recycling program in an office and gave tips on how to get one off the ground.
Androutsopoulos said first determine if a recycling program is already in place at your workplace. If not, indicate your interest in starting a recycling program to your property manager.
Next, research recycling companies and contact them. Androutsopoulos said Vangel Paper would then work with their clients to determine if the business generates enough material for pick-up.
“The biggest challenges in starting these types of programs comes from small businesses that do not generate enough recyclable material for pick-up service,” she said. She added that multi-tenant buildings also present challenges if all of the tenants are not on board.
“If you do not generate enough material or if you are in a multi-tenant building, we will work with you to identify other options for recycling,” she said. Androutsopoulos said the company would work with the property manager to get a recycling program started in a multi-tenant building if there is sufficient interest and recyclable material generated.
After the logistics of the recycling program are established, distribute information about the program to raise awareness and educate employees about what materials can begin to be collected. Androutsopoulos said certain materials should be kept out of recycling containers to prevent the attraction of rodents, damage to equipment, and materials that cannot be broken down in the recycling process. These items include food containers, specialty papers (carbon paper, photographs, blueprints, and thermal fax paper), self-adhesive labels, and miscellaneous office materials.
After the material is collected it is the responsibility of the cleaning service to gather the recycling material and take it to the loading dock where the recycling company will pick it up on a previously decided schedule.
For more information about the recycling process or starting a paper-recycling program in your office visit http://www.vangelpaper.com.
