Preaching to the Quire
More often than not, successful recycling takes equal parts creativity, determination, and TLC. For example, at Coca-Cola's headquarters in Atlanta, employees can bring recyclables from home to put into company bins. That gets them thinking about recycling at home as well as at work—and gets them to learn where the bins are. Coke is among many companies that donate proceeds from recycling to worthy causes in employees' names. That helps motivate people, who know the fruits of their labors are going to a good cause.
Bank of America makes paper recycling a clear mandate from top management, and links the activity to the company's bottom line: "Do not throw away wastepaper," the company instructs employees online and in printed manuals. "It's a corporate asset for which Bank of America receives revenue. Recycling also saves us money in disposal costs."
But even the most well-intentioned programs can break down if the process is too complex, there's no signal from management that it's important, or there's no one in charge of monitoring and marketing the program. Here are some tips for avoiding those pitfalls:
Keep it simple. The fewer changes people must make in their daily routines to recycle, the greater the chances for success. Place collection containers in convenient, well-traveled areas like restrooms, cafeterias, and copier rooms. (Better yet, put recycling bins by everyone's desk—but make them walk somewhere to throw something away.) Label bins or collection boxes with clear information about what to put in—and what to keep out.
Monitor and measure. Use surveys, interviews, and inspections to see how the system is working. Spot-check recycling bins and trash cans to see if people are following directions about what to put where—without spying on people, of course. Keep track of where paper is going: what kinds and volumes of paper are being purchased, discarded, and recycled? That will help you establish and track goals.
Sell, sell, sell. Market your program through newsletters, posters, email, and company meetings. Sometimes "word pictures" are an effective means to show results. For example, the metropolitan Portland, Ore., region promotes the fact that it "recycled 437,000 tons of paper in 2003, which is the equivalent of stacking paper in a football field to the height of two-thirds of a mile."
Seek and give feedback. Have someone available to answer employee questions. Ask employees their ideas on how to make the system easier to use. Let everyone know how the program is going, including how much trash is being saved—or could be saved—from landfills, and what that means for the company in economic or other terms. Consider offering incentives such as prizes or special events for individuals and departments doing a good job.
Finally, don't rest on your laurels. Keep in mind that even the most successful recycling programs need continuous improvement, fresh thinking, and a periodic overhaul.
Solving Separation Anxiety
One of the best resources on paper recycling comes from the Massachusetts nonprofit WasteCap. The American Forest & Paper Association offers resources on its website, and GreenBiz.com offers a basic primer on office paper recycling. The National Office Paper Recycling Project also offers a dated but still useful recycling guide.
Joel Makower, founder of GreenBiz.com and cofounder of Clean Edge, Inc., is a writer, speaker, and consultant on corporate environmental strategy, clean technology, and green marketing.
This piece first appeared in Grist. For more environmental news and humor sign up for Grist's free e-mail service.
