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8/3/2019 Six Ways Recycling Boost
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In today’s economy, keepIng a small busIness afloat can seem
like an uphill battle. And while recycling is oten thought o as a social
responsibility rather than a cash-cow, the chasing arrows can oten bolster
your bottom-line just as much as crunching numbers and cutting back on
overhead. Don’t believe us? Check out these six ways recycling can help your
small business save money and increase neighborhood PR, and start makingstewardship a part o your business plan.
Upcycle DecorWhether you own a small retail shop, restaurant or ofce—you’re bound to
need urniture or sta and customers. I your ofce decor is looking a little
drab, don’t waste cash on brand new items. Recycle chairs, desks and other
pieces you already have to save on money and carbon emissions.
Businesses in the U.K. saved £14 million (about $21 million) per year by
reusing ofce chairs, desks and other urniture, according to a research studyconducted by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme). To upcycle
your old urniture, try giving wood pieces a resh coat o stain or reupholstering
seat cushions or a brand new look.
To save even more money (and resources), ask local upholstery stores i they
have any letover scrap pieces rom previous jobs. Scraps will sell or a raction
o the price and most will be large enough to use on seat cushions.
Recycle for CharityGetting involved in charities and nonprofts in your community is a great way
to boost PR or your small business. Sure, you could just write a check. But whynot recycle to raise unds instead? Set up a charity recycling drive, and send out a
press release to local news media to spread the word in your community.
I you live in an area that provides cash reunds or recyclables, try hauling your
bottles and cans to a local recycling center once a week and donating the proceeds
to the charity o your choice. For a project with a little less legwork, partner with
an existing organization like Recycling or Charities to set up a undraising drive.
Recycling or Charities will help you organize a cell phone recycling drive at
your small business and donate the profts to the charity o your choice. Your
business will also be eligible or tax deductions or each undraiser.
Make it AccessibleI you’re paying or recycling at your small business, it can be rustrating to
notice recyclables in the trashcan. The best way to increase participation is to make
RTL | Recycling | Transer Stations | Landflls
Recycling
Six Ways Recycling Can Boost Small BusinessMary Mazzoni
RTL | Recycling | Transer Stations | Landflls
48 WasteAdvantage Magazine January 2012
As Seen In
8/3/2019 Six Ways Recycling Boost
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WasteAdvantage Magazine January 2012 49
RTL | Recycling | Transer Stations | Landflls
recycling bins more accessible to sta and customers. Most will choose to recycle i
given the opportunity.
Make sure there is a recycling bin next to every trashcan, and concentrate
on areas where your sta uses the most paper. Place bins or scrap paper nextto copy machines and printers, and ask sta members to reuse paper whenever
possible. Reusing scrap paper in-house will dramatically cut back on waste in
your business, and you’ll likely fnd yoursel ordering ar less paper each month.
For added un, divide your sta into teams and engage in weekly recycling
competitions. Place dierent colored bins around the ofce to represent each
team, and tally recycling volumes at the end o the week.
Reclaim Hard-to-Recycle WasteRecycling bottles, cans and paper is a no-brainer. But what about all those
tricky-to-recycle items around the ofce? Take advantage o unconventional
recyclers, like TerraCycle, to reclaim uncommon recyclables.
TerraCycle oers “brigades” to collect previously non-recyclable or hard-to-
recycle waste items—rom printer ink cartridges to calculators to Scotch tape.
And they’ll even provide collection boxes to help your sta get in on the action.
Make a list o non-recyclable waste items rom your ofce, and head to
TerraCycle to recycle them. For uncommon recyclables you can’t send to
TerraCycle, use www.Earth911.com to fnd a solution in your area.
Sponsor a ClassYou probably collect loads o scrap paper, promotional materials and
cardboard at your business. These materials are super-easy to recycle, but why
miss out on an opportunity to get involved with a school or rec center in your
community?
Talk to a local school or community center about donating your paper waste
or arts and crats projects. And volunteer to host a short presentation aboutrecycling or students. You’ll soon be on the map as a local green business and
recycling authority in your community.
Network, Network, Network Networking unctions are part o what makes your small business thrive.
And since you’re upping the eco ante at your business, why not meet other
entrepreneurs that are doing the same thing?
A simple Web search with your city or county name and the words “green
business networking” should yield local green business associations and events
in your area. Attend an upcoming event and swap recycling tips with like-
minded business owners. Many may be able to provide contacts to urther
upcoming eco initiatives. Eco groups also typically sponsor a local green
business directory, and getting your business on the list will help attract Earth-
riendly customers in your neighborhood.
And don’t orget Twitter. The social media giant provides a treasure-trove
o ree PR. Update regularly on upcoming green initiatives at your small
business, and ollow local civic associations and community groups to help
spread the word. |WA
Mary Mazzoni is a staff writer for Earth911 based in Philadelphia, PA. This article was reprinted with permission from www.earth911.com. Visit the original link
at http://earth911.com/news/2011/11/21/6-ways-recycling-can-boost-small-business.
©2012 Waste Advantage Magazine, All Rights Reserved.Reprinted from Waste Advantage Magazine. Contents cannot be reprinted without permission from the publisher.
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