How to Start a Recycling Program at Work

When I worked for corporate America, I was deemed (happily!) by my co-workers as the legal department ‘tree hugger’ because I picked aluminum cans out of my colleagues’ garbage cans, stash them in a box under my desk and take them home for recycling.  I even gave each of my colleagues an extra waste basket to throw their paper in and would pick it up on a on a weekly basis for recycling. 

As we know, most people will go along with positive change as long as they aren’t the ones who have to do all the leg work!  If you’re workplace hasn’t yet caught on to the recycling revolution, make them start now!  Take control and banish the bad habits of your workplace by following these simple steps to a more earth friendly work environment:

1.     Ask for volunteers to serve as the recycling coordinator.  This person must be dedicated and organized!  You may actually want to volunteer yourself, since you already have the drive to initiate a recycling program.

2.     Decide what you want to recycle. Walk around your office and take note of what items are most often used: paper, aluminum cans, batteries, light bulbs, paper, glass bottles, plastic bottles, etc. If you decide not to recycle everything, then choose what is used the most and focus on those items.

3.     Set up recycling bins and guidelines in the break room, inside the front door, or any other place where your co-workers gather to eat and drink.  Recycling Guidelines can include such things as a request to smash cans, rinse out containers, etc.

4.     Keep your co-workers involved.  Send out a weekly/bi-monthly email to let them in on the success, progress and problems with your recycling program.

On a fun note, if you can turn your aluminum cans in for cash, start an office fund that will go towards an office lunch party or happy hour.

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