So the Boss Put You In Charge of Your Company’s Recycling….Now What?
Nowadays, companies both big and small are looking for ways to combat global warming and decrease their carbon footprint. Some have departments created to handle their recycling while other smaller companies do not. It often lands on the desk of someone who knows little about how to set up and maintain a successful in-house recycling program.
What does it take? What do I need to know? Who is the best company to hire? What questions should I ask?
Here is a step-by-step guide for those of you thrown into the deep end of creating a recycling program for your company.
Step 1: Evaluate
To get started you need to know where your company is in regard to recycling. Do they have an existing plan? Do they encourage recycling among their employees? Are there recycling bins in the breakrooms, offices, and warehouses? Does the company push purchasing items with recycled content like paper and plastic? Do they throw old product into a landfill, or have it professionally destroyed? Does the marketing department promote that the company is environmentally conscious?
Like anything else, you must know where you are to know where you need to go. Take a quick walk around the company and its facilities. Look at signage in common areas. Visit the company’s website to see if they are advertising their actions when it comes to recycling.
Step 2: Research
There are several large companies who specialize in recycling, paper shredding, product destruction and more. Visit their websites, read their reviews, go to Yelp and see their ratings and reviews. In addition, as with any business, it is a good idea to visit the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to see if they have any civil cases pending and what the BBB rates the company. Ask your coworkers or people in your community if they have heard of a good company for recycling.
Step 3: Interview
Found one or two companies you think might fit the bill? Schedule an appointment with your local sales rep and see what they have to say.
Here are some sample questions to get you started…
Does your company hold a NAAD certification that is up-to-date?
Do you offer any incentive to first time clients?
Will I have a dedicated person assigned to my account?
Will I be able to view via camera our products being destroyed?
Are you able to destroy electronic items such as hard drives in a secure way and without harming the environment?
Do you do both on-site and off-site paper shredding?
Do you host shred events and help cross-promote them?
Step 4: Make Your Selection
Once you’ve selected the company you will be working with, their sales contact should be able to sit with you and help you come up with a plan that will both be efficient but also make you look good to the boss!
Step 5: Announce!
Put together a short email or newsletter that will go out to your fellow staff members informing them of your new recycling program and how they can help. Make sure there is sufficient signage in the common areas encouraging recycling and showing where recycling containers are at.
Then head over to the marketing department and see how they can get on board with promoting this new plan to the community and your clients. This is pure gold when it comes to creating all the “feel goods”. Consider hosting a shred event where the community is invited to your location where they can bring items to recycle in a secure way.
Step 6: Pat Yourself on the Back
Go ahead. You deserve it! Not only did you help save the planet, encourage recycling, make your company look good but when it comes time for that promotion or raise...your boss should take all this amazing work into consideration.
It can seem intimidating when this project is first dropped on your desk but with the right partner, it can be easy and rewarding.
American Shredding offers recycling services to help you protect your product brand and do your part to protect the planet. We use a combination of machine and manual processes to disassemble, break down, shred, or crush the products. They are then reused, recycled, or disposed of in a safe, secure, and environmentally friendly manner. We offer services in Arizona, Texas, Oregon, Utah, and Washington states. See our list of cities here.
Need help with a recycling plan? Get a quote today!