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STARTING A
RECYCLING PROGRAM
Many local
communities already have recycling programs in place, but oftentimes
cost, misinformation, or lack of planning prevents the start-up of a
local recycling program. Lacking a recycling program does not
prevent community members from recycling, but the ease of curbside
pick-up and convenience of drop-off sites increases the likelihood
of people actually participating.
Create a recycling
team or committee.
Organization is important when evaluating the best choices for your
community. When beginning a program, recycling teams need to
determine the materials, market, budget, and specific services to be
offered. This team will
also need to determine the collection method and how to transport
materials to processors. State recycling offices can often help when
establishing new local programs, but it helps to have a core team or
one point of contact for the community.
Build a strong
support base.
In order for a local program to be successful, it will need support from
members of the community.
Reach out to local businesses and organizations that would
benefit from recycling incentives.
Contact local and state government leaders who strongly
support recycling and enlist their help. Neighboring communities may
be willing to share resources and assist with the program startup.
Build knowledge of
the recycling market.
Read relevant publications that are up-to-date on recycling process,
pricing, and research. Attend conferences or meetings of local
recycling organizations.
Contact processors in your area and inquire about efficient
practices in collection.
Determine how and
what to recycle.
After gathering
market information and data on the availability of resources, decide
how wide your community’s recycling scope should be.
Some programs may begin by simply organizing a special
campaign or event or relocating drop-off sites.
It may also be helpful to know the most common recyclable
wastes in your community. Managing these common materials first,
like glass, plastic, and paper, may be the most reasonable.
Consider collection
methods.
Depending on the scope of your program, the recycling team should choose
the most efficient collection method.
Smaller programs may start by maximizing space in existing
collection centers or implementing recycling bins at public
locations, like parks, playgrounds, schools, shopping centers, and
event centers. Other
programs should consider investing in larger collection bins for
curbside pickup, which prevents overflow recyclables from being
disposed in the trash.
Educate the
community and promote the program.
With some community members, participation can be easily promoted by
merely informing them of how, when, and where to recycle.
Making this information easily accessible and visible is
important. With others
in the community, a stronger marketing initiative may be required.
Provide monetary and intrinsic incentives for recycling.
Consider the entire population of your community; reach out
to all ages and ethnicities.
Find supporters who lead these groups and ask them to help
promote the program.
Enlist government
help.
Many state governments provide grants or other funding to
assist in recycling program development and improvement.
Contact local officials for support, stressing the economic,
environmental, and health benefits of recycling. Local officials not
only have the opportunity to promote the program but also impact
waste related legislature
Evaluate and Decide on Waste Recycling Equipment including
choices such as trash compactors, balers, densifiers, shredders,
grinders, and other recycling related products and services.
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