How Recycling Can Impact Your Bottom Line

It’s a simple premise, the more efficient a business is, the more profitable. And one area where companies have the opportunity to become more efficient is waste reduction. Currently commercial, industrial and institutional sources account for half of Canada’s waste. The irony is that before these companies have to pay for the removal of this waste, they first had to purchase it.

Office recycling programs are on the cusp of significant change and the driving force is public demand and the realization that it can be cost effective. This article provides a number of practical examples of how a typical office can reduce waste.

Step 1 - Assess where your impacts are
A waste audit is the most definitive way in determining the type, source and amount of waste being produced and how. A first step is simply looking at what’s in your garbage cans at the end of each day. Here are some simple ideas one where to start:
- Replace disposable cups, plates with ceramics – no more plastic cutlery.
- Start a paper recycling program. For more advice on reducing your paper consumption, click here.
- Consider an alternative to disposable paper towels in your washrooms. A roller towel for example is one alternative.
- Look at purchasing recycled products and identifying opportunities to reuse or recycle materials.
- Look very closely at your e-waste. PC’s, Printer Cartridges, and Mobile Phones can all be recycled. There are a lot more recycling choices available now to deal with e-waste. Here are some suggestions.
o Many electronic manufacturers now have recycling programs in place that include both drop-off depots and mail in programs.
o Check what municipal and provincial electronics programs are available in your area.
o Donate your electronics to charities, non-profit organizations, or participate in Canada’s Computers for Schools program which puts working PC’s into libraries, schools, and other non-profit organizations.
- Consider a simple waste bin system within your office for selected waste streams.

Step 2 – Eliminating the misconceptions
- Recycling will cost us money
- We do not produce enough to make it worth the effort
- Recycled products are more expense and quality is not as good

Step 3 – Engaging your team
Putting a simple, workable recycling program in place can be easy once you have identified where the opportunities are. Empower your team to implement change, and make sure your achievements are shared and communicated on an on-going basis.