Recycling solid waste

RECYCLING SOLID WASTE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS RECYCLING?

Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources and generates a host of environmental, financial, and social benefits. After collection, materials (e.g., glass, metal, plastics, and paper) are separated and sent to facilities that can process them into new products and materials

BENEFITS

There are following benefits for recycling solid waste:

1. Economic

2. Environmental

3. Employee Morale

4. Corporate Image

5. Compliance

BENEFITS

Economic

Potential economic advantages of waste prevention include: Reduced waste disposal feesRevenues from recycling commodities

BENEFITS

Environmental The environmental benefits include: Reduced energy consumption Reduced pollution Conservation of natural resources Extension of valuable landfill capacity Stimulates the development of greener technologies Prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases and water

pollutants

BENEFITS

Employee Morale Employees morale improves when they see the

company taking steps to reduce waste through recycling

This heightened morale could increase employee enthusiasm, productivity and more waste prevention measures

Some companies use recycling revenues for employee recreation (I.e. picnics, holiday parties etc.)

BENEFITS

Corporate Image When customers and the surrounding

neighborhoods see that the company is environmentally conscious, it creates a favorable image of the company

An enhanced corporate image might attract customers

Surveys show that more and more consumers consider a firm's environmental record when making purchasing decisions

BENEFITS

Compliance Reducing solid waste through recycling can also

mean compliance with local or state solid waste regulations

Some communities also restrict the amount or types of waste accepted at solid waste management facilities

By implementing an aggressive recycling program, your business can help ensure compliance with these requirements

KEY PEOPLE

Step 1. – Key People - Select a Recycling Coordinator The recycling coordinator will need to have good communication and organizational skills. Creativity, patience, persistence, a sense of humor, and good reporter with other people in your business are important character qualities If you are the owner or manager of a small business, you will probably be the coordinator, at least in the beginning

KEY PLAYERS

A coordinator’s role typically includes: Conduct a waste audit and determine what to recycle Selecting the contractor Designing the collection system Educating employees Tracking the program’s progress Designate area monitors to assist the coordinator in:

- Keeping the collection containers free of non-recyclable material

-Notifying the coordinator if containers overflow

- Encouraging employee participation

KEY PEOPLEStep 1. – Key People - Janitors Always involve janitors in the planning process for any recycling program Additional training may be necessary to familiarize them with new or alternative waste collection procedures Realistically assess their safety concerns and how changes will affect their workload The janitors' commitment and cooperation in executing your recycling program are crucial to success You may need to modify the janitorial contract to specify recycling services.

KEY PEOPLE

Step 1. – Key People - Landscape Contractors Plant waste from decorative landscaping for many downtown courtyards, atriums, and sidewalks often goes straight to landfill By working with your landscape contractor, you can potentially have plant waste hauled to a commercial composting facility

KEY PEOPLE

Step 1. – Key People – Food Handlers Food and other "wet wastes" contaminate dry recyclable waste unless you keep them in separate dumpsters It may be possible to reduce food waste through the suggestions of food handlers Donating food may be another alternative rather than disposal Food waste can also be recycled through composting

KEY PEOPLE

Step 1. – Key People - Construction Contractors The materials generated during the demolition phase of a renovation are mostly recyclable It is necessary to provide the contractor with a staging area and time in which to separate the materials If the contractor separates the materials, the value of the material can be rebated back to reduce hauling costs

WASTE AUDIT

Step 2. – Conduct a Waste Audit The reason to conduct a waste audit is to find out what’s in your trash The waste audit will help you identify which materials to collect for recycling, what size and type of containers you will need, and what waste could possibly be prevented in the first place Find out if your company or individual employees are already collecting any materials for recycling A waste sort or “dumpster diving” should be the first place to gather “bottom line” information and should be done just prior to refuse pickup

WASTE AUDIT

Step 2. – Conduct a Waste Audit Gather the following materials and resources: sorting tables a large scale for weighing the waste separate bins for each sorting category gloves surgical masks a calculator materials for recording data

WASTE AUDIT

Step 2. – Conduct a Waste Audit Safety First! Talk to your facility safety representative prior to doing a waste sort Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, gloves, and surgical masks If you discover any hazardous material, don’t touch it and contact your safety representative

WASTE AUDIT

Step 2. – Conduct a Waste Audit Once you have transferred all of the garbage to your sorting table, identify the materials you generate (for example, cardboard, office paper, and food waste) Weigh each type of material and record your findings Total the different amounts of waste found in each dumpster to find the “bottom line” Do similar waste sorts within the facility to determine what size recycling containers you’ll need and where they should be placed

DECIDING WHAT TO RECYCLEStep 3. – Deciding What to RecycleCertain materials are either banned or restricted from disposal facilities, such as: Tires Green Waste (yard trimmings) Appliances Used Oil Scrap Metal Auto Batteries Contact your landfill to find a listing of restricted materials and how these materials can be disposed

DECIDING WHAT TO RECYCLE

Step 3. – Deciding What to RecycleIn some municipalities, businesses are required to recycle certain commodities such as: Bars and restaurants serving alcoholic beverages might be required to recycle glass Office buildings might be required to recycle office paper, newspaper and cardboard Hotels, restaurants, food courts, grocery stores, hospitals, and food manufacturers who generate large volumes of food waste might be required to recycle food wasteYou should contact your local solid waste regulator to determine what materials you must recycle

DECIDING WHAT TO RECYCLE

Step 3. – Deciding What to Recycle

The following liquids may be recycled and reused on your premises in most areas with special equipment: Solvents Antifreeze Frying oil

COLLECTION CONTRACTORS

Step 4. – Selecting a Collection Contractor In selecting a collection contractor, you are looking for good, reliable service at the best price The prices paid for recyclable materials vary with the type of material and can fluctuate dramatically from month to month Moreover, your company’s economic benefit from recycling will probably come from reduced disposal costs, rather than money paid to you from the sale of recyclables


Step 4. – Selecting a Collection Contractor

Option 1: Refuse hauler is also the recycling hauler If your refuse hauler provides both waste disposal and recycling collection, the hauler should be able to offer a combined cost/pay structure In other words, he would charge you for the hauling of both refuse and recyclables and credit you the current market value on the recyclables This can reduce your overall disposal costs or at least provide a break-even arrangement


Step 4. – Selecting a Collection Contractor When you talk to the various companies to compare prices and services, the following questions to help you make your decision: What materials do you collect? What materials do you purchase, and how much is paid for each? Do you charge for collection of recyclables? If you’re picking up trash and recyclables, what will be the net savings in my disposal costs? Do you pick up on schedule or on call? If on schedule, how often? If on call, how much lead time is needed?

DESIGNING A RECYCLING SYSTEM

Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System key: make it as simple and easy to recycle as it is to throw away! The goal is to design a collection system that is convenient for everyone and does not incur additional labor costs


Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System Recyclables should flow from individual employees to area collection containers or directly to central collection/storage Place area recycling containers in convenient locations normally frequented by employees Recycling containers should look distinctly different from trash containers Place regular trash cans nearby to avoid unwanted trash getting mixed in with the recyclables


Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System At Desks Each employee usually gets their own small recycling tray or upright box for convenience When full, the employee empties the paper into the larger paper bins Trays and upright bins may be available from your municipality for free


Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System Dumpsters Most buildings have dumpsters for garbage Dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards; Dumpsters are good for larger loads or bulky materials, such as cardboard They have lids which are easy to lock (which will protect materials from theft and or contamination if the dumpsters are located outside). Special garbage trucks are equipped to pick up and empty dumpsters automatica


Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System

Compactors Where space is limited, many buildings prefer to invest in compacting equipment Compactors come in a wide range of styles and sizes They can be rented or purchased and are often customized for a specific site or use Some of the investment can be recovered by disposal savings because you need less frequent garbage or recycling pick ups


Step 5. – Designing a Recycling System To select the best containers for your needs, consider the following: Durability, Cost, Capacity, Ease of handling,Attractiveness

TRAINING AND PROMOTION

Step 6. – Training and Promotion

Phase 1: Program Announcement Announce start of the program with a brief, upbeat memo from the head of the company The memo should highlight the benefits of the program to everyone, outline the collection procedure, and give the time for a meeting to formally introduce the recycling program and answer questions


Step 6. – Training and PromotionPhase 2: Meeting/Educational Session Encourage everyone to attend an information session about the new program. The meeting should focus on the cooperative nature of recycling and the importance of each individual to its continued success. Highlight the main points of the program, taking care to explain the separation and collection procedures. Emphasize the benefits to the environment, the company and the employees.


Step 6. – Training and Promotion

Phase 3: Follow-Up Follow-up can be done as a part of a regular meeting agenda or with memos or newsletters Consistency is the key to any successful program, and recycling is no different Note how much is being taken out of the waste stream, how much was donated to charity, how big the party fund is, and so on

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Problem 1: Low Participation Rate Here are some of the things you can do to stimulate participation:

Solution, Part 1: Provide Information People may not know how to recycle Provide reminders to tenants in memos and other promotional pieces Check that signs explain the recycling program See the Training and Promotion Section of this training


Solution, Part 2: Put Containers in the Right Places Check the location of recycling bins Make sure there are enough of them and that they are conveniently located Make it easier to put recyclable materials in the recycling bins than to put them in the garbage Make sure everyone can easily reach a recycling bin


Solution, Part 3: Appoint Recycling Experts It helps everyone to have an expert available to ask questions Designate motivated employees to be recycling coordinators for specific areas and let everyone know how to reach them Include the names or phone numbers for the experts in all the promotional materials


Solution, Part 4: Motivate Some people simply don't care at all about recycling . Some people are very busy and might consider recycling to be a waste of time that is better spent on their "real work“. Some of these people can be convinced to participate by providing incentives, such as games, prizes, and recognition or by making recycling easier than not recycling .


Problem 2: Contamination This is when non-recyclables are mixed with recyclables

Solution: If contamination of recyclables is a problem throughout your building, ask your recycling company to help find procedural flaws or collection deficiencies If contamination is isolated to certain individuals in the building, focus your educational efforts on making sure they know the policies


Problem 3: Lack of Space This can either be a lack of space near the points of generation or at the central collection and storage.Solution Lack of storage space is one of the biggest problems in many downtown office buildings Request assistance from your recycling company The two most practical solutions are to: (1) have materials collected more frequently and (2) install compacting equipment Be sure to consider health and safety as well as fire hazards when you address space issues

THANK YOU

Recycling solid waste

Environment

Transcript of Recycling solid waste