My work wastes a ton of paper!!?

Question

I want to propose the idea of recycling to the company I work for. In my department we throw away a ton of paper everyday and it DRIVES me nuts! Nobody even thinks twice about it. So how can I suggest we recycle and make it sound like a great idea or anything to make them do it. There are about 12 different buildings doing the same amount of wasting I'm sure. I wanted to bring in my own trash can to throw paper in and recycle it myself but I don't think I should have to, or should I? Is it my problem that I am so worried about this or the company I work for? Any ideas to get them to start recycling would be great. We probably throw away a reem of paper a day in my department alone.

I work in O'fallon Illinois, 15min from St. Louis.

Answer 1

Call a local recycling place. Maybe they would be willing to put a recycling bin at your work site. Find out all the information, what it would cost (if anything) and then propose the idea to your superiors. Save the planet, girl! You're on a mission!

Answer 2

In the St. Louis area Abitibi Recycling offers paper/cardboard recycling as a fund raiser for non-profit organizations (I'm not certain what the proceeds are). Schools (public and private), churches, synagogues, etc., get green and yellow dumpsters called "Paper Retrievers" that sit on the parking lot. Some places specify what materials they take (one high school doesn't take boxes); others accept any paper-based item. My office was already recycling before I came here, but when I told them about this program and offered to take all our paper about once a week or so, they agreed that was an even better plan. We can then feel good about doing what's right for the environment and helping a worthy cause. If a program like this is available, you might use this to encourage recycling.

Answer 3

Most offices do recycle their trash. Check to see if the trash company does it. Sorting trash doesn't really help the recycling effort very much because trash still has to be sorted when it's dumped off at the recycling center. Having sorting bins in the office makes people feel better about it, but it doesn't help a whole lot. Since most of your office waste is paper anyway, the sorting job is easy.

All trash pickup companies either sort and recycle the trash themselves or they sell it off to be recycled by other groups. If you want to get sorting bins in your office, all you have to do usually is call the trash company that you already use.

Answer 4

That's a great idea. Look into some of the local recycling companies in your area and get some price quotes. Then research what the effects would be with all of this paper that is not recycled. Then present all your info to the manager and just have him review it to see if it is something your company would be interested in doing.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Find out if there is a company near you that buys recycled paper...they do exist. Perhaps even the recycle company itself might pay for high quality waste paper. If you can show that your company could actually get some money back for recycling, you'll probably find a receptive ear from management.

Answer 6

OK - Slightly different slant here. Recycling can also include:
Vermiculture uses the paper by shredding and dampening the paper and then making it the top layer of their worm bins. Result - Worm Castings that are great for your garden, yard and house plants.

Composting: Paper (shredded) make a very good 'brown' ie DRY layer. Dampening beforehand and it will break down even faster. End result - again great stuff for your yard, garden, and house plants.

Point? There are companies, here in Phoenix, that do both of these, and will pay to pick up your clean recyclables.

Answer 7

why not just convert a few of the regular trash cans into recycle cans and have a recycling company come by to pick them up once a week. you can usually tell the accounting team that this is to see if your company can make a profit off selling the paper to the recycling companies.

Morg

Answer 8

Bring in recycling boxes and send out a company email about recycling. If your company is that large, I'm sure there are others. See if you can find anyone with some kind of advertising degree/knowledge that can help you make informative, attractive signs/posters. Start the ball rolling. I'm sure you'll find others who are willing to help and there will be a few who are resistant. Let them be. Just focus on what you are doing to help.

Answer 9

Well if you want to take the initiative, that's great, maybe mention it's also wasting their money.
One of the biggest way I save paper at my job is the print preview. That way I can review it and not actually have to have the hard copy unless its absolutely needed.
I also rip up into quarters what I have decided isn't useful.
You could also find a paper making company somewhere that might be able to take it in bulk, they might buy it, then at least your company would be able to cut down on the disposal. Maybe even get local schools involved in some kind of art league contest with scraps of the paper. or make a parade float for their homecoming.

Answer 10

I know just how you feel! I work for a district general hospital in the UK and it's criminal the amount of packaging we throw away every day. I wrote to the chief exec to ask whether there were any plans in progress to set up a recycling scheme. He hasn't replied yet though! You could always suggest it to management, with the incentive of good media coverage for the company...