Whether you are starting an internal recycling program in your business or facility, a recycling business, or trying to start a community-recycling program for your city or county, some of the same steps apply. Gathering the right team of management, employees, and supporters will help to make your small or large recycling program efficient and successful.
Establish a Recycling Program Team
Upper Management Buy-In
In order to be successful, you need to get the buy-in and commitment from your senior management team. Their recycling habits and goals will be reflected from the top down. The management in your organization or leaders in your community need to let their staff and community know the importance and goals of the recycling program.
Recycling Task Force or Committee
Getting committee members from each department or area of your organization who are focused on reducing waste and increasing recycling will help to keep the recycling program strong and focused. Together with the Recycling Coordinator/Manager, they can help oversee the day-to-day recycling initiatives and help communicate recycling goals with others.
Recycling Coordinator or Manager
The Recycling Coordinator/Manager is the main point of contact for the team and their endeavors. Sometimes this person may also be the Plant Maintenance Manager, Environmental Manager, or Director of Waste and Recycling in some facilities. The Recycling Coordinator’s role will vary according to the organizational needs, but may include:
Implementing the recycling program, collecting and disbursing information, and evaluating and improving the recycling program- Directing the work of recycling center attendants and volunteer staff
- Monitoring commodity market prices for recyclables
- Overseeing collection, size reduction, and transportation of recyclable materials
- Providing technical assistance with recycling equipment such as vertical balers and compactors
- Communicating and facilitating recycling and waste reduction efforts within company or community
- Managing the recycling budget and financial goals
Supporters, Customers, Community, Equipment Manufacturers
If your recycling program is within a company or organization, share your goals and achievements with employees, customers and other stakeholders so they are aware of the program. If you are starting a program in your local community, it is important to gather support from people who are interested in seeing your program succeed. Reach out to recycling equipment manufacturers for advice and expertise on baler, compactor, and other size reduction and recycling equipment needs. Local community leaders, business people, partners, families, and individuals are all important to the success of a community-recycling program.
It takes the right team of people to successfully accomplish any job, and starting a public or private recycling program is no different. Establish your recycling team including upper management, a recycling task force or committee, a Recycling Manager or Recycling Coordinator, and your community of supporters, customers, and recycling equipment manufacturers. We welcome your questions about your recycling program equipment needs! Contact us at (507) 886-6666 if we can help!
