Attention Area Businesses!

As important members of our community, our local businesses have a unique opportunity to help the future of our region. Businesses can help by creating plans and policies that encourage recycling at work and at home. Corporations and small businesses can both make a tremendous impact in this regard.

Imagine if your business used less paper, recycled resources, conserved energy, and reduced waste. How much money could you save every day? What kind of stewardship and investment would those practices show your employees and the community?

The Jefferson Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority can help your business find the right combination of conservation and recycling efforts. We work with you to make a plan and help initiate that plan for your business.

Contact us today for more information about how we can help your business!

 

Commercial Business Waste Recycling

A waste characterization study by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in 2003 showed that 50% of the weight of commercial waste consists of paper products.

What does your business waste consist of? Maybe its time to consider recycling what you can, and you could reduce your waste by 50% just by recycling the paper products!

Recycling your business waste

Business operations can range from a small boutique to a large department store, with many variations in between. The common factor is that regardless of size or type, all businesses generate materials that can be recycled.

Recycling in your business is good for business. Recycling can reduce the cost of your garbage collection. Research indicates that many people would prefer to shop at a business that was advocating and practicing environmental responsibility. Price and convenience play a significant role in where people shop, however consumers like to support businesses that are good corporate citizens.

Steps to get started

• Look at your garbage. Make a list of what items your business generates the most and can possibly be recycled. Cardboard and paper are usually the case.
• Find out who is responsible for garbage collection. Is it your business? Your landlord? If it’s your landlord, ask about a recycling program for the building, complex or mall.
• Space is a luxury most businesses can’t afford. Consider sharing a recycling bin with neighboring businesses. This saves space, cuts costs and increases overall recycling. If your garbage is primarily full of paper and cardboard, you could replace it with a recycling bin and share a garbage bin.
• Figure out how much of the recyclable material your business generates, if it’s a small amount you may be able to use one of the many local drop-off sites.
• Contact the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority Office by phone at 740-266-6899 or email at kjcbnatlysle@comcast.net with your information. Our staff will be happy to help get you started.
• Education is one of the keys to success. Employees need to know what can and cannot be recycled. Use staff meetings, newsletters, bulletin boards or email to inform employees. Use posters and stickers as reminders.
• Once your recycling program is in place, monitor your garbage on collection day. You may be able to save some money by renting a smaller bin or getting it pick up less frequently.

Waste Reduction & Reuse Tips

• Buy paper products with recycled content (minimum 10%). This helps balance the supply and demand for these kinds of products.
• Update your mailing lists to remove duplicates, redundant, non-responsive or nonexistent addresses.
• Remove your company name from lists used by senders of unwanted solicitations and catalogs.
• Use recyclable, carbonless forms.
• Talk to your suppliers and arrange to have them take back shipping containers, pallets and other packaging for reuse.
• High traffic restrooms can switch to air-drying machines.

Damaged Merchandise?

Instead of paying to dispose of damaged goods, either sell the merchandise at reduced prices or donate the items to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army or local Goodwill Industries.

What’s Recyclable?

• Paper products , paperback & hardcover books, cardboard, newspapers/ads, mailing envelopes, magazines, greeting cards, file folders, shredded paper (keep it contained), and fairly clean pizza boxes
• Aluminum, tin & steel CANS, and empty Aerosol cans
• Glass BOTTLES & JARS
• Plastics 1’s - 5’s ONLY

No carbon paper, wax paper, photographs, restroom papers, napkins, car parts, windows, toys, appliances, lumber, etc.