Small Business Guide
to Cost-Effective
RecycIing
Not-for-profit environmental groups and the business
community in New Jersey, along with the state’s Department
of Environmental Protection and Energy, are pleased to bring
you this information. Conserving resources, recycling and
buying recycled products make good economic sense for New
Jersey businesses and lead to a healthier environment for all of
us. Working together, we can make a difference.
Using materials wisely means needing to buy less of them,
and recycling can boost your public image while lowering
your expenses. Whenever possible, buying recycled products
that meet your needs is a final and important way to keep
your balance sheet strong and the world in balance.
In addition to being cost-effective, recycling is the law in New
Jersey.Commercial and institutional establishments are
required to recycle the items mandated in their county and
local ordinances.
Thanks for taking the time to read these materials. We think
you’ll find-as other businesses have-that conservation can
be economically and ecologically sound.
This guidebook was produced by the Association of
New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR)under a grant from the AT&T
Foundation. Companion publications which provide
additional information include:
New Jersey Business Guide to Recycled Products
New Jersey Recycling Markets Directory
Recycling Handbook for New Jersey Businesses
Copies of all these publications can be obtained by contacting
the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, 50 West State
Street, Suite 1110, Trenton, NJ 08680 (609-989-7888).
Contents
Introduction
MAKING THE RIGHT RECYCLING DECISIONS
2
Estimating trash volume
Estimating disposal costs
Estimating how much trash can be recycled
A look at materials which have recycling value
Conducting a waste audit
Creating a waste audit worksheet
Marketing materials
8
Projecting cost savings
Creating a cost savings worksheet
Renegotiating contracts with your hauler
12
SETTING UP A RECYCLING PROGRAM
15
Recycling in off ices
Recycling in retail businesses
Recycling in food establishments
Reducing trash volume
16
18
20
22
Recycling is the law in the State of New Jersey for
all residents, businesses and institutions. Your
business may be inspected and fined for failure to
recycle. To secure a copy of regulations for recycling,
contact your municipal recycling coordinator. The
coordinator can be reached by telephoning the offices
of your local government.
..
11
Introduction
The dollars-and-cents of recycling is convincing many New Jersey
businesses, large and small, that recycling is cost-effective for two
reasons:
Recycling reduces the cost of doing business.
When a business recycles there is less trash to
throw away-monthly hauling costs are
reduced;
A recycling program has the potential to
generate income. There are markets for
recyclable materials.
This guide gives you the information you need to take a look at the
trash you are generating and the cost savings of recycling and waste
reduction. It focuses on the materials commonly found in trash
generated by retail businesses, offices and food service
establishments. These materials include paper, corrugated
cardboard, glass, metal and plastic containers.
You also will find basic information on how to set up a recycling
program for a retail business, office or food service establishment.
Recycling makes good sense economically and environmentally.
Our state is rapidly running out of landfill space. Dependence on
virgin raw materials is needlessly creating environmental and
ecological damage. And, as responsible producers and consumers,
we can all recycle more, waste less and purchase items
manufactured from recycled materials.
MAKING THE RIGHT RECYCLING DECISIONS
Four steps will help your business to recycle efficiently.
1. Estimate your trash volume.
Begin by finding out how much trash
you generate.
2. Estimate your disposal costs.
Determine how much you are spending to
dispose of trash.
3. Conduct a waste audit survey.
Look at your trash-determine how much of
it can be recycled or source reduced.
4. Estimate cost savings.
You can project recycling cost savings when
you know:
what you are spending to haul trash
how much trash you can eliminate
by recycling.
2
Estimating trash volume
You’re looking for ballpark figures. How much trash do you have
hauled off each month? If your business has a contract with a waste
hauler the contract can give you basic information. Most contracts
are based on the number and size of waste containers and the
frequency of collection. If you are a retail business in a mall, or an
office building with tenants sharing a common system to collect
garbage, contact the building management. Trash costs may be be
built into your monthly rent, lease or maintenance agreement.
A formula for estimating trash volume is based on:
Size and type of waste container;
Number of waste containers;
Collection frequency;
* Adjustment of total for percentage filled at collection.
The form below is designed to help you determine the volume of
trash generated. You may wish to modify it. Just as there are many
types of trash, there are different ways to measure it-volume in
cubic yards; weight in pounds or tons. Also, keep in mind that most
containers are pulled (hauled) before they are full.
I Disposal
Containers
Size x
Frequency of
YOfilled
Monthly
collectionlmonth x at collection = volume
No. x
Dumpsters
Compactors*
Other
I
I
I
I
TOTAL
*Compactor volume depends on container size and ratio of compaction, such as 3 to 1
Estimating disuosal costs
Once you have a general idea of the total volume of trash, the next
step is to summarize the costs to dispose of it.
Your current collection costs may be a flat fee for monthly collection,
or charges may be based on volume generated, the size of
dumpsters used and how frequently they are hauled. For example,
let’s assume you find your business has a disposal contract for $600
a month to haul a six cubic yard dumpster six times-that’s $100
each time it is pulled. If recycling reduces trash volume by onethird, there are two cost-saving options. Either use a smaller
dumpster or reduce the number of times each month it is pulled.
While each business is organized a little differently for trash
collection, the chart below is a guide to estimating the cost of
monthly and annual disposal. It can be modified to reflect the needs
of various kinds of businesses.
Container location
’
Sizeof
container
Cost
per pull1
# pulls
per month
Cost per
month2
Average costs can be determined by reviewing records over several months or an entire year.
* Monthly costs may include a fee to rent or lease the container.
4
Estimating how much trash can be recycled
In the language of recycling this is called a waste audit. It involves
looking at your trash through the eyes of a ”recycler.” The objective
is to determine which materials can be eliminated, substituted or
recycled, and where they enter the waste stream. Also, it’s important
to check local recycling regulations. Municipal and county
ordinances establish requirements that certain materials must be
recycled. Contact your municipal offices for more information.
Visual inspection
Visual inspection is the best way to find out what’s going into your
trash. It’s a good idea to look at waste containers inside a building
as well as dumpsters or compactors where trash is stored outside a
building. Pay attention to how and where various types of trash are
generated. You can ask your waste hauler or someone with a
background in recycling, such as a broker who buys recyclables, to
join you in this inspection tour. Another resource you can call on is
the municipal recycling coordinator in your community.
Discussion of recyclable materials commonly found in businesses,
offices and food establishments begins on the next two pages.
Other
(9%)
A pie chart shows the
trash contents sent to a
typical landfill. Paper,
metals, glass and
plastics are 65% of the
total. These materials
are commonly found
in the waste of offices,
retail businesses, and
food establishments
Glass
(8%)
Metals
(9%)
Source: EPA Region III
(Feb. 1991)
A look at materials which have recvcling:value
Paper products
computer paper
white letterhead
white copier paper
newspaper
mixed paper (colored papers, coated/glossy papers, junk mail,
magazines, catalogs)
In offices there is tremendous
potential for recycling paper. A rule of
thumb is that the average office worker
generates one to three pounds of office
waste each day-most of it is paper.
Computer printout, white stationery and
copier paper have the highest market value. Mixed/colored paper
has a greatly reduced market value, and at times may even be
difficult to market. However, keep in mind that the primary
objective is to reduce trash volume, and recycling all types of paper
is important.
Packaging products
corrugated cardboard (brown cardboard)
boxboard, linerboard (gray cardboard, gift boxes)
plastic shrink wrap
plastic bubble wrap
plastic peanuts used in packaging
significant problem in trash collection that
many municipalities have established special programs to collect it in the
central business district, and in areas where there are strip malls and
high density office or commercial development.
6
Container products
clear, green and brown glass bottles
aluminum cans
bi-metal cans (steel and aluminum)
steel (tin-coated)cans
polyethylene (soda and shampoo bottles, margarine
and yogurt containers)
high-density polyethylene (milk and fruit juice jugs)
In food service businesses glass bottles
and jars, aluminum and bi-metal cans, are
a major component of the trash. These
create many opportunities for recycling.
Just as source separation of high quality
white paper from lower grades of paper
increases the value of recycled materials, source separation of glass
by color is becoming more important. As the markets for recycled
products mature, there will be an increasing need to separate glass by
color-clear, green and brown-and fewer markets where all colors
of glass can be intermixed.
Other recyclable products
lead acid batteries (auto and truck)
food wastes
scrap metals (iron, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel)
motor oil
refrigerants used in cars, refrigerators and air conditioners
tires
yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, tree limbs)
wood (pallets, crates, untreated and unpainted lumber)
The waste audit identifies what kinds of materials are available for
recycling and how much is being generated by the day-to-day
operations of your business. Reviewing the audit provides an
immediate focus for recycling efforts. Office buildings will see the
need to recycle paper products. Retail stores will find corrugated
cardboard is a prime recycling candidate. Food services will look at
opportunities to recycle corrugated, glass and metal containers.
Once you determine which materials are recyclable, you can
estimate the amount being generated over a week or a month.
There are a number of different ways to calculate the quantities of
recyclables. Smaller amounts are measured in pounds, 55-gallon
drums or other types of storage containers. As volume increases,
units of measurement become cubic yards and tons. The chart below
is a guide to some of the more commonly used conversions.
VOLUME TO WEIGHT CONVERSIONS*
Material
Office paper
Volume
1 cubic yard
Weight in
pounds
500
Corrugated cardboard, loose
Corrugated cardboard, baled
1 cubic yard
1 cubic yard
I ,000-1,200
300
1 cubic yard
600-1,000
Glass, whole or partially broken
Glass, manually crushed
1 cubic yard
I ,000-1,200
125-500
Glass, uncrushed/manually broken 55-gallon drum
Aluminum cans, whole
Aluminum cans, flattened
1 cubic yard
1 cubic yard
50-74
250
Polyethylene soda bottles, whole
1 cubic yard
30-40
*Weight and volume figures will vary depending on processing and handling of
materials and how tightly loads are packed.
Sources: National Recycling CoalitionMeasurement Standards and Reporting
Guideline,October 31, 1989; N. J. Department of Environmental
Protection,Office of Recycling, 1989.
8
Creating a waste audit worksheet
Marketing materials
Now that you know the amount and type of recyclables your
business generates, you need to look at the recyling market options.
Recycling under your current trash contract
An increasing number of haulers and carters in New Jersey are
establishing separate recycling divisions to handle the needs of their
customers. If your current hauler does not already provide this
service, ask if it is being considered and when it may be
implemented. Your responsibility as a business will involve some
source separation-such as separating white office paper from
colored paper, or clear from brown and green glass. Some vendors
will provide storage containers, such as a dumpster or rolloff, for
recyclable materials.
Direct marketing
Hundreds of firms in New Jersey purchase recyclable materials. In
addition to markets for traditional materials-paper, glass, metalsome firms deal in items such as plastics, wood, tires, motor oil, and
refrigerants which contain chlorofluorocarbons. As a rule of thumb,
if you generate a sufficient volume of a material with recycling
value, there is a good chance a broker who buys recyclables will
pick up at your place of business. The information you will need
from a broker includes current prices paid or charged, services
provided, transportation availability and how materials must be
prepared. Your responsibility will be to collect and store the
material.
For information on brokers, see the New Jersey XecycEing Murket
Directory published by the Association of New Jersey Recyclers. This
publication is listed on the inside front cover of this guidebook.
10
Cooperative opportunities to market materials
If your commercial operations do not generate a sufficient volume of
recyclable materials to qualify for a direct pickup, there are solutions
to this problem. Cooperation is required. Individually, the trash
volume you generate may not be large. But collectively, as a group
of stores or businesses, the volume may be significant. Encourage
other businesses to conduct waste audits to determine the recycling
value of what they are putting in the dumpster. Call a meeting to
discuss the question. Contact
your local Municipal Recycling
Coordinator. Talk to your
Chamber of Commerce.
2
-Cooperation
If you rent or lease facilities and
you do not have a contract with a
waste hauler, then the cost of
trash collection is included in your monthly payments. The first
thing to do is to contact your landlord or building owner. Ask
questions. For example: What can your business do to recycle? Who
picks up the garbage? Does the hauler have a separate recycling
division? Tell your landlord you’d like to help create a joint
collection system with other tenants or leaseholders to increase the
volume of recyclable material so a hauler or broker will schedule a
recycling pick-up.
Dealing with specialty materials
As more companies recycle, new markets for recyclable materials
are being developed. An example is the rapid growth in recycling
(refilling) toner cartridges for laser printers and copier machines.
Another example is the market for automobile batteries, prohibited
from normal trash collection because of the hazardous waste threat
to the environment when disposed of in landfills or incinerated.
A Waste Audit identifies the potential volume of recyclable
materials in your business. It gives you an idea how much material
you can remove from current trash. However, the audit is not
complete until this information is translated into potentia1 cost
savings.
The Cost Saving Worksheet on the following page is a guide to
estimating the economic benefits of recycling to your business. In
Step Three you calculated monthly and annual volumes of various
categories of recyclables. In Step Four you will determine the cost
savings which can be achieved by removing these recyclables from
the trash you generate each month.
12
Creating a cost savings worksheet
In the initial stages of making recycling decisions you will have to
use estimates to make assumptions which-for now-are not
supported by experience. This is a worksheet to help you see how
recycling can reduce your overall solid waste disposal costs. Over
time you can make projections with greater confidence.
In Steps One and Two you determined the current volume and cost
of waste disposal. In Step Three you estimated the potential volume
of recyclables in your business. To complete the waste audit you
need to complete Step Four. It will require you to investigate the
options for marketing recyclables (see pages 10 and 11)and to
discuss them with your waste hauler (see page 14). Based on this
information you can calculate the estimated monthly disposal cost
with recycling. Subtracting this number from your current monthly
costs will give you the savings by recycling per month.
Current cost
per month
I
Cost with recycling
per month
I
Savings by
recycling/month
I
Container cost’
Pull cost2
Equals # of containers x monthly cost of each container.
Equals # of pulls per month xcost of each pull.
Equals cost per month of hauling contract-excluding container and pull costs.
Reneeotiatine contracts with vour hauler
One key area for potential cost savings as a result of recycling is a
reduction in monthly or annual fees for trash collection. As these
charges frequently are set under contract, the contract will need to
be renegotiated. The information collected in Step Two: Estimating
Monthly Disposal Costs (page 4), and Step Four: The Economics of
Recycling (page 13), will give you the data you require to open a
discussion with your hauler.
A starting point is to review current charges. The key question to
ask your hauler is: “If we reduce the volume of trash by recycling,
what is the potential to reduce hauling costs?” The discussion may
revolve around two options:
1. Reducing the size of trash containers.
2. Reducing the frequency of trash collection.
Pick Up Notice
Trash now collected weekly
Understandably, some haulers may not be enthusiastic about
renegotiating contracts. You can expect every so often to find a
hauler who indicates that no cost savings are possible, no matter
what your business does with recycling. If this is the answer, you
may wish to investigate the fees and charges of other haulers.
Because contracts run for specific time periods, it is important to
begin negotiations well in advance of the time your existing
contract expires.
14
SETTING UP A RECYCLING PROGRAM
Now you are ready to move ahead to implement, or expand, a
recycling program. Two objectives guide this process: 1)Reduce
the volume of garbage, and 2) Increase the volume of materials
you recycle.
Helpful resources for all kinds of businesses are the New Jersey
Business Guide to Recycled Products and the New Jersey Markets
Directory. See inside front cover for more information on these
publications.
Here is a beginning checklist.
Recycling in offices
Materials. Program focus is on paper
and paper products. See page 6 for a
description of the various categories
of papers.
'
Collection system. Recyclables must be stored separately from
ordinary trash. Also, it is important for recycling to become a
normal office operating procedure. Separating paper for recycling
should be simple and convenient for employees. A good rule is to
have recycling and trash containers side-by-side for ease of
separation and compliance.
Desk top recycling. For employees who deal with lots of paper,
separate folders or containers on a desk are convenient. Make
them clearly labeled and highly visible.
Multiple waste basket system. Use two or more waste baskets.
Label all containers. Additional containers should be
strategically placed near copiers, printers and other paper-
* Central containers. The flow of paper from desktop and waste
baskets might be to larger containers, such as hampers or bins,
at various sites in the building.
Transfer to bulk storage. The main storage areas should be
organized to prevent the accidental mixing of recyclables with
regular trash. A hauler may provide a separate container, such
as a dumpster, for recyclables.
16
Contaminants.Waste paper dealers generally do not accept carbon
paper, plastic binders, pressure-sensitive labels, food wrappings,
tissues, and yellow craft envelopes. Check with your hauler or
dealer for information on contaminants which must be excluded.
Equipment. Many firms supply containers well-suited for
recycling. These include desk-side baskets, intermediate-size
containers (12- to 24-gallon volume), larger containers (40- to 55gallon volume), and mobile collection equipment which can hold up
to 1/2 cubic yard. If there is a large quantity of cardboard, a small
baler-which compacts and greatly reduces the volume-may be a
good investment.
Markets. Where a business generates a sufficient volume of paper,
or for businesses involved in some type of cooperative collection
system, such as tenants in an office complex, paper can be sold
directly to a dealer.
Waste reduction and product substitution. A number of ideas on
waste reduction are listed on the inside back cover.
Closing the recycling loop. Markets are created and expanded for
recyclables when businesses buy recycled products. Most types of
papers, from stationery and business cards to copier paper and
writing pads, are available in recycled papers. Check with your local
supplier. Also, specify recycled paper for your printing jobs.
Opportunities to recycle other products. While most of the trash
generated in offices is paper, other recyclables include aluminum
cans, glass bottles and plastic soft drink bottles. These can be
collected in separate containers. Where volumes are small, the
municipality may provide curbside collection or a dropoff center
for recyclables. Also, employees often can recycle these materials in
their own communities.
Recycling in retail businesses
for additional information.
Collection Systems. Corrugated is a particular problem because of
its high bulk.
Provide a separate container for corrugated. The size of the
container will depend on the volume and the frequency of
pickup. Dumpsters are commonly used. As noted in the
Equipment section, where volume is sufficient, a baler may be a
good investment.
To reduce volume, all cartons should be broken down and
tied. As recycling should be a normal procedure in the
operation of your business, it is efficient to break down cartons
as soon as they are unpacked. If it is not convenient to
immediately take these materials to where they are stored
awaiting pickup, an intermediate storage area inside the
building may be useful.
Contaminants.Waste paper dealers generally do not accept
corrugated with polystyrene packing materials, plastic bags, metal
or plastic strapping, or wood reinforcement.
18
Equipment. Where volume is large, a baler can pay for itself in the
higher prices paid for baled cardboard and in reduced storage costs.
Markets. Where a business generates a sufficient volume of
cardboard or linerboard used in packaging, or if a business is
involved in some type of a cooperative collection system, such as
among stores in a mall, these recyclables can be marketed directly to
a dealer.
Waste reduction and product substitution. Tell suppliers not to
send so much packing material with orders. Have suppliers ship
orders in "returnable packaging," such as plastic crates and reusable
pallets. This step will significantly reduce the volume of trash in
many types of retail businesses. Reuse Styrofoam peanuts and
bubble wrap. For billing, use open window envelopes (such as the
telephone company uses) as these envelopes are recyclable. The
plastic in other envelopes can be a recycling contaminant. For
advertising and promoting your business, use recycled paper for all
printing.
Opportunities to recycle other products. While much of the trash
generated in retail business is cardboard and packaging materials,
other recyclables include aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic
soft drink bottles. These can be collected in separate containers.
Where volumes are small, the municipality may provide curbside
collection or a dropoff center for recyclables. Also, employees can
recycle these materials in their own communities.
Recvcling in food establishments
Materials. Program focus is on glass,
aluminum and bi-metal (steel and
aluminum) cans and corrugated
cardboard. See page 7 for additional
information on container products
commonly used in food services
businesses, and pages 18 and 19 for information on recycling
corrugated cardboard. Note that glass gets a higher price if
separated by color-clear, green and brown.
Collection System. Recyclables must be stored separately from
ordinary trash. Also, it is important for recycling to become a
normal operating procedure. A good rule is to have recycling and
trash containers side by side for ease of separation and compliance.
Initial collection. Avoid frequent trips to a central storage area
by initially collecting recycIables in waste basket-size
containers. Periodically, smaller containers are taken to a
central storage area. Remember that glass is heavy.
Plastic or metal drums. At the central storage area glass is
sorted by color and cans by metal type. Larger, clearly labeled,
containers-40- to 55-gallon capacity-are well-suited for this
purpose.
Dumpsters and partitioned storage bins. Where volume is large
or there is a joint collection system, such as in a central business
district or a mall, dumpsters or other large containers often are
used. They may be provided by a hauler.
20
Contaminants. Contamination is a serious concern in the glass
industry. Jars and bottles are the only kinds of glass that can be
recycled-caps and lids must be removed. If glass is sorted by color,
the sorting must be done carefully. Ceramics, such as dishes or the
caps found on some imported beers, are serious contaminants.
Other contaminants include light bulbs, plate glass and glassware.
If aluminum and tin cans are recycled, it is important to separate
these materials.
Equipment. Many firms supply containers well-suited for recycling
glass and cans. The sizes range from waste baskets up to 40- to 55gallon containers and drums. A bottle crusher is useful where
large amounts of glass are generatea-crushing greatly reduces
the volume. A baler is useful to compact large quantities of
corrugated cardboard.
Markets. Where a business generates a sufficient volume of glass, or
for businesses involved in a joint collection system, glass can be sold
directly to a dealer.
Waste reduction and product substitution. A tap system for drinks
reduces the need to recycle bottles. Reuse cardboard boxes,
packaging and packing materials. For deliveries and receiving
supplies, make use of plastic cartons and containers which can be
reused.
Closing the loop. Markets are created and expanded for recyclables
when businesses buy recycled products. Many types of paper
products used in food establishments, for example, are available in
recycled papers.
Opportunities to recycle other products. Cooking oil and grease
can be recycled through fat and rendering dealers. While organic
food wastes are not commonly recycled as compost material, it is
hoped this will become a more widespread practice in the future.
Also, more pig farmers are willing to pick up food waste if the
volume is substantial.
Informing employees
Educating employees about recycling is very important. Recycling
cannot succeed without employee cooperation. Let all employees
know:
which materials are to be recycled
what materials are contaminants
where recyclables will be stored.
Put someone in charge of recycling and give them responsibility
for employee information. Also, it is essential that managers and
supervisors get behind the program and set a personal example
by recycling.
Keep employees informed of recycling progress and thank them
for their efforts. Provide information in other languages for nonEnglish-speaking employees.
22
More ideas to reduce trash volume
Source reduction is recycling terminology for reducing the amount
of waste generated in your business. Product substitution involves
purchasing decisions to use materials which can be recycled, or
materials which have a higher market value as a recyclable. Both
source reduction and product substitution provide many
opportunities to substantially reduce the volume of trash. Here are
some examples:
Save envelopes by using self-mailers.
Ask shippers to use returnable plastic crates, not
cardboard boxes.
Encourage customers to reuse shopping bags.
Don’t automatically bag small purchases. Ask
customers first.
Return packaging to the originator.
Use two-sided copiers. Reuse scrap paper for
notes and memos.
Stop using yellow pads. White paper has a
higher recycling value.
Use mugs instead of throw-away cups.
Post information and announcements on
bulletin boards instead of sending memos.
Wherever possible, do not purchase products
made from materials which cannot be recycled.
Use cloth rags for cleaning instead of paper
towels.
Buy in bulk if this step can reduce unnecessary
packaging.
Avoid disposables. Use products that can be
repaired, recycled, refilled and reused.
i