As part of planning to start or expand your business recycling program, begin by considering options for reducing the amount of waste your business creates.
Here's how to start:
Take inventory of what you discard, how much, how often.
Does your industry association have information on waste prevention and recycling programs that have worked for similar companies? Can you adapt those programs for your business?
Does your city or collection company provide waste audits or other assistance? Ask!
Can you give, trade, or sell your left over "raw materials" and trimmings to another company instead of throwing them away? Check the listings in CalMAX to find out if someone is looking for your waste.
Can you give away your discards? Call RAFT to find out if your waste is really a hidden treasure that can be used as art, science, and math supplies in our schools (and gain a tax deduction).
It isn't waste until it's wasted. Why is it waste? Can you change the process to reduce the amount of waste you produce? Can you require your vendor to take back the packaging? Can you reuse the packaging to ship your product?
Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Reduction
The State of California Integrated Waste Management Board offers a range of programs to assist businesses in reducing waste and saving resources.