Paper Recycling at Work

Americans have been recycling paper for more than 300 years. What started out as a small movement has grown to extraordinary proportions.

Today Americans recover 55 percent of the paper they consume. That recovered paper goes back into new products we use everyday - like newspapers, corrugated containers, grocery sacks, cereal boxes and office paper. To build on this success, the U.S. paper industry has set a goal to recover 60 percent of all paper consumed in the U.S. by 2012. While we are well on our way, there is more to be done.

While great strides have been made in the recovery of several grades of paper, including corrugated (cardboard) and newsprint, one area with the opportunity for improvement is the high quality fiber found in offices. In workplaces across America, nearly 15.7 million tons of printing-writing papers were recovered in 2006, up from more than 10 million tons in 1995. Still, less than half of all office papers are recycled. Visit www.paperrecycles.org for a complete overview of the production, consumption and recovery rate of various grades of paper, along with information on what new products they become.

For step by step guides that explain how to establish or improve upon an office recycling program, visit www.paperrecycles.org, and www.Earth911Business.com. The following are excerpts from AF&PA’s Office Recycling Guide, available in its entirety at www.paperrecycling.org.

Assess the discards

Conduct an audit to determine the amount and types of materials that are recoverable or recyclable. For most offices this will mean a variety of papers. An audit also provides information about where most of the recyclables are generated in the company. Records from the local recycler may be helpful to understand any material fluctuations or cycles.

Target materials for recycling

Identify all materials that are potentially recyclable. Evaluate how much could be recycled, and how recyclables might best be separated for collection. Target those materials that are most abundant in the recycling stream and would be the easiest to separate for recovery.

Talk to your recycler

Your recycling company can provide information about the types of materials they accept for recycling. Work with them to determine how recycling specific materials might impact your current hauling contract, services and costs. If your company is a tenant in a large office building, the building owners or management company may contract with the recycler. If the recycler is not able to accept the materials you want to recycle, contact a local recycling center. Smaller companies may also want to consider drop-off recycling.

Specific issues to discuss with your recycler:

• What are the potential costs and benefits of recycling?
• Will a decrease in the amount of material going to disposal help cover the costs of recycling?
• Which materials can be recycled most cost effectively?
• What grades of paper are handled and what is the minimum amount required for pickup?
• How will material need to be collected? What are the common contaminants for each material? Will we be notified if material is not accepted because of contamination?
• Will we receive updates on the quality and quantity of materials collected?
• Will additional containers or other equipment be required for the collection of recyclables?

Engage and coach employees

Employees make a recycling program happen. They are a recycling program’s most valuable assets. Educate employees, talk up the recycling program, and get the word out. Communicate positively, clearly, and often.

Get management support

Gain the support of your company’s top management for a recycling program. Before going to management, arm yourself with information and data that shows program value or identifies a need to improve an existing recycling program.

Measure and share results

Track results to show the merits of recycling and motivate employees. When management and employees see progress, momentum for the recycling program will take off. Achieving recycling goals, lowering costs, realizing environmental benefits, or improving participation are all opportunities to show off program successes.

Track the amount recycled for each material

Work with the recycler to gather this information regularly, such as monthly. Use a database or other system to record and store data.

Specific information that should be gathered includes:

• Quantity of recyclables collected by material. The amount is typically reported in tons, although measuring pounds can also be meaningful and may be more realistic for your office. Totals by floor, department, or other division may be useful.
• Quality of recyclables collected. Excess contamination can cause recyclables to be unmarketable to an end-use manufacturer. Get feedback on the amount and types of contamination from the recycler. Incorporate this into the employee education program.
• Additional costs or cost savings to the business. Recycling adds collection and processing services that may increase costs. More material going to recycling rather than disposal, however, may lower overall hauling costs. Be sure to also monitor any costs associated with operating the program.