Paper Recycling

Office paper recycling is an easy way to reduce your company's waste production
By M. Krasniak, Freelance Writer/Editor Industrial paper recycling is being used by many companies. Are you finding that a large part of the waste that your company produces is office paper? It’s not surprising since some estimates show office paper making up as much at 40% of municipal waste. So how do you get rid of all that paper, while keeping costs down and doing a little something for the environment as well?
 

You can approach office paper recycling in a few ways. It is important to have a well thought out plan in place before instituting a new policy. This includes knowing what you want to accomplish by making this change as well as having paper recycling services lined up ahead of time. Before instituting a corporate paper recycling rule in your organization, here are a few things to consider:

1. Your specific office paper recycling goals.

2. Getting a paper recycling process in place for employees.

3. Locating paper recycling centers and services in your area.

Develop what you want to accomplish by instituting an office paper recycling program

Is your sole reason for wanting to recycle your office paper because of the environmental aspect or is it a security concern? Knowing what you want the result of your recycling program to be will start you on the right track.
Try: The Recycling Products website offers a calculator to give you an idea of how much of the paper products that your company currently produces can be recycled. Paperrecycles.org has a guide to office recycling as well as ideas on how to promote the program within your organization.

Find a list of your local corporate recycling information resources and councils

Most cities have plenty of resources to assist a company in setting up an industrial paper recycling program. There may even be incentives such as assistance with recycling fees and paper recycling equipment, free advertising in newsletters and decals to advertise your participation in a corporate recycling program.
Try: The Greater Philadelphia Commercial Recycling Council offers startup information such as laws and regulations pertaining to corporate recycling as well as the opportunity to nominate another company--even your own--to receive an award and recognition for a recycling job well done. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity runs a program called the Illinois Recycling Grants Program that assists companies in collecting and processing recyclables for areas like Chicago. The California Integrated Waste Management Board website has resources to help companies throughout the state start a recycling program in their organization. They also have a program to allow businesses to gain public recognition for their outstanding waste reduction efforts.

Find paper recycling service providers in your area

It is important to find reputable paper recycling companies that provide all of the paper recycling services to meet your needs. Some charge per pound of materials while others charge per visit. Ask questions to ensure that their services are the right fit for your organization.
Try: RecyclingCenters.org lets you search by zip code to find paper recycling service providers in your area. Blue Mountain Recycling services throughout the Philadelphia area and has been able to provide clients with up to an 85% reduction in waste materials. America's Most Trusted Recycling Services provides recycling services of all kinds throughout Illinois. Finally, CR&R Waste and Recycling Services provides recycling services to business in cities throughout Southern California.

• Most paper recycling companies will provide you with the proper paper recycling equipment such as bins if you do not already have your own.