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Recycled plastic products are everywhere, and that's a good thing. In today's post, we see how some of the world's most sustainable brands are using advanced recycling methods for greener business.

By recycling existing plastic materials into new products for sale, companies tap into a renewable feedstock source that helps limit the production of new plastic items (and keeps them out of the landfill). Companies that use recycled plastics are making a big difference in the world!

Aside from reducing how much new plastic finds its way into the hands of consumers ‚recycled plastics reduce energy during manufacturing by 66%. That means less fuel burnt, and less harm to the local environment.

The truth is, because a lot of plastic is highly recyclable ‚it's an ideal sustainable material. If more businesses can build plastics into their green product models, the world would be better off. Let's take a look at the companies leading the way with their recycled plastic products.

#1: Adidas Recycled Plastic Shoes

In 2019, Adidas made about 11 million pairs of shoes using recycled plastics.

They partnered with Parley, a project for the oceans that focuses on finding solutions to lessen plastic pollution there. So far, the partnership has been incredibly successful, and it's kept some 2810 tons of plastic from ever reaching the oceans.

#2: Patagonia's Plastic Jackets

You can't mention recycled plastic products without mentioning Patagonia's jackets.

Since the 1990's this company has been recycling polyester, which has a positive impact on the earth. It comes from plastic soda bottles that are spun to make the materials used in their jackets and other lines of clothing. To date, 84% of their fabrics are recycled plastic.

#3: Fab Habitat's Plastic Rugs

This ethical company creates eco-friendly rugs and accessories from recycled plastic waste.

Fab Habitat uses PET and Polypropylene plastics to spin a soft kind of yarn that is perfect for durable carpet creation. These recycled plastic materials are blended with others like cotton or jute. To date, the company claims to have rescued and recycled millions of plastic bottles from the landfill.

#4: Shini USA Plastic Construction Materials

The future of construction lies in eco-friendly building materials that use recycled plastic.

From concrete and bricks, to recycled plastic boards, lumber, and decking ‚using plastic in these construction materials makes them cheaper and more durable. Best of all, these structures last a long time which gives virtually indestructible plastic something valuable to do.

#5: West Paw's Recycled Plastic Products

This green-forward company focuses on creating ethical and sustainable products for your pets.

West Paw is best known for their signature material ‚ÄòIntelliLoft,' which is made from recycled plastic bottles. They use this material in everything from pet beds and blankets to clothing. They also run an amazing plastic recycling program using another material they call ‚'Zogoflex.'

#6: Preserve's Toothbrush Recycling

Preserve creates a lot of recycled plastic items but the best among them is the toothbrush.

Preserve toothbrushes are made from 100% recycled plastic ‚and they run a program that asks consumers to collect 5 toothbrushes in a plastic bottle, send them in, and get a $6.00 coupon. When you use this toothbrush, you're participating in a truly closed loop product.

#7: Recover Brand Clothing

Recover has been going since 2009, spinning plastic waste into new fashionable items of clothing.

As plastic recycling companies go, you don't get much more ethical than Recover. Their goal is to reduce plastic waste in rivers, the ocean, landfills, and adventure parks by encouraging socially responsible fashion.

#8: Suga Recycled Wetsuits

Recycled plastic products like the humble wetsuit get a fresh start with Suga.

This company collects old, discarded suits, and recycles them into super-soft and stylish yoga mats. The neoprene found in wetsuit materials is perfect for reworking into a fully recyclable product, and the SugaMat doesn't disappoint.

#9: Method Cleaning Products

This cleaning company uses curbside collected plastics to craft its product packaging.

Products made from recycled plastic bottles and other waste are an eco-friendly solution to using new plastics. As a sustainable business, the founders of Method spend a little more to recycle the plastic they need to create their large range of cleaning materials.

#10: Green Toys Made from Plastic Pollution

The company Green Toys creates imaginative children's toys using recycled milk jugs.

On their website, they state that for every pound of milk jugs recycled, enough energy is saved to power a television for 3 weeks or a laptop for a month. They have recycled over 113,312,538 jugs to date, changing the world one green toy at a time.

#11: Bureo Builds from Plastic Waste

Bureo takes discarded plastic fishing nets and turns them into amazing new products.

These recycled plastic products become clothing, sunglasses, and even skateboards. As a B corporation, Bureo's mission to clean up the oceans underpins all of its product creation. Along with recycling, the company works to spread education about reducing plastic waste.

Get more recycling facts here.

These trailblazing companies are tapping into an abundant resource and are finding ways to turn something harmful into something helpful in the world. If your business has been considering creating recycled plastic products, draw inspiration from these eco-friendly product pioneers!

Which of these plastic items did you find most promising and why? Tell us below.

Are your foil recycling practices up to date at work? Aluminum is everywhere, but nowhere is it more common than the average employee's lunchbox. Even the foil from your CEO's pastrami sandwich has, at some point, found its way into your workplace recycling stream.

According to the Aluminum Association, this precious metal is among the most valuable and recyclable materials known to humanity. It forms a perfect closed loop and can be recycled ‚endlessly ‚forever! Some 75% of all products made from aluminum are recycled in the US.

But what about foil? Recycling this tricky type of aluminum is not so straightforward. Here are 5 must-know tips that will help you optimize the way you recycle aluminum foil at work this year.

#1: Teach Employees That Foil is Recyclable

What is aluminum foil anyway? Most of your employees will know that foil is potentially recyclable, but because they aren't sure of the composition (foil sheets, or pans, or packaging) they may decide to dispose of it in your workplace trash can. And tin foil is not biodegradable.

A single American throws away roughly three pounds of foil every year. If it reaches the landfill, it will take approximately 400 years to break-down through the oxidation process. Worse still, if it's burnt it contributes to toxic air pollution and releases harmful gasses into our atmosphere.

#2: Contaminated Tin Foil Can't Be Recycled

Clean tin foil is magically recyclable forever ‚until it comes into contact with your lunch. Because foil recycling relies on clean materials, your employees can't just ball up their foil and throw it in the recycling bin at work. Once the foil is contaminated with food waste, it stops being viable.

If enough contaminated foil gets into your stream, it has the potential to ruin every other material in that load. This means none of it can be recycled, so the entire process is rendered null and void. Educate your employees about clean tin foil recycling to prevent contamination at work.

Here is why workplace recycling education is so vital.

#3: Start a Tin Foil Reuse and Recycle Program

The good news is that you're not powerless against the food contamination making its way into your canteen. Your green team can start an amazing foil recycling initiative to encourage employees to wash their foil packaging, sheets, and pans before adding them to your recycling bins.

Tin foil programs are part of the ‚Äòreuse' initiatives that inspire employees to either take their foil home to be washed (most types are dishwasher safe!) and reused as an infinitely better alternative to plastic. Aluminum packaging is strong and can be used repeatedly ‚then it can be recycled.

#4: Get Creative About Reusing Foil at Work

Aluminum foil recycling is the final step in the lifecycle of your foil (before it becomes another aluminum product). The goal of sustainability for your green team is to keep the recyclable material in play as long as it's useful, and to only recycle it once it has no more use at the office.

Tin foil has an enormous range of uses that you can take advantage of at work. It polishes silverware, cleans grills, scrubs dishes, sharpens scissors, improves radiator efficiency, and reflects light in a sun box for office plants. Find ways to lengthen its lifespan as part of your tin foil reuse program.

#5: Think Big When It Comes to Impact

Once your green team has established the protocols for your aluminum foil recycling and reuse program ‚you can think about extending it to expand your impact. Other companies in your area or niche will have similar problems. Perhaps recycling contaminated foil has reduced their recycling impact or motivated them to start an initiative of their own.

Your team can be the spark that helps other companies institute their own aluminum initiatives. Host green team talks and share your experience running campaigns at work. Show other teams how much of a difference can be made when small changes become a part of your workplace culture. Together you can make foil recycling just as common as can recycling in your area.

These 5 must-know tips will help you improve the level of education about aluminum foil and the ways it can be recycled. If every workplace bands together to take extra-care of the materials that have a truly closed loop, we stand to benefit from less resource consumption, less pollution and an abundance of recycling materials that can be refashioned into products made for sale.

Right now, aluminum cans are the easiest to recycle ‚but we want to challenge your green team to start tackling the products that aren't so easy. This year, set a goal to make foil recycling a regular practice among your employees, and eventually, as a part of daily practice in every workplace.

Ask us about our custom educational programs.

What type of aluminum do you recycle most at work? Tell us below.

When you think of recycling education what springs to mind? Maybe it's a classroom filled with kids, and a teacher holding a papier-mâché earth. Or a business conference where climate leaders speak about sending less waste to overburdened landfills.Whatever image comes to mind, it's unlikely that you first thought of a family at home, learning about recycling together. Traditionally, recycling education is taught in school, and then almost never again unless an individual goes looking for it.

While recycling is an important lesson to learn at school, this education should continue well beyond the classroom. Adults can engage in more complex, nuanced discussion than school children, which is what community recycling demands in times like these.Every municipality has different recycling practices, processes, and programs. For true community recycling cohesion, the aim should be to connect and educate adult residents. Simply stated, school recycling education is not enough to create adults that know how to recycle correctly.

#2: Foster Strong Community Development

A good recycling program can transform a community, but it takes resident buy-in.The Environmental Protection Agency says that a strong recycling program is key to developing a healthy and united community.It takes everyone in a local area to commit to cleaner, greener habits and as they perform these actions, they discover a deep sense of connection with those around them.

A unified community contributes to lowering greenhouse gasses in their area, while functional recycling programs create more local jobs and tax revenue. Quality of life is something that begins with caring about your environment, and benefits the entire community.Recycling education is an important link in the chain of green responsibility and sustainable community development. Without it, you can't expect residents to recycle well, take advantage of the programs you put in place or succeed in achieving a truly green-focused municipality.

#3: Conversations in the Home

Since the pandemic struck in 2020, more people are spending time at home.That means most waste created by individuals is being disposed of at home. This is a unique and unprecedented opportunity to educate residents about recycling right where they live.With so many ways to deliver home-based recycling education, families can now engage with nuanced and complex recycling issues, understanding more about the whys' and whats' than ever before. There is a real chance to reduce recycling material contamination in your recycling streams.

People want to help, and they're willing to go above and beyond to make their community more eco-friendly. Studies suggest that when residents understand more about what recycled waste becomes, they are willing to do more.Recycle Coach has launched pilot programs in various US locations, and have had great success delivering education to families in residential locations using the Recycle Coach app.Not only does our app connect residents to your municipality to improve their locational awareness, the campaigns run on our platform address your municipality's specific recycling issues. It's education that targets blind spots that your residents don't even know that they have.By educating residents about what to recycle, how to recycle and what should never be recycled in your stream you're creating a cleaner, more effective program for your city.If you're interested in improving how many people recycle, and how well they do it in your municipality, then recycling education is the answer.You can't rely on school education or expect to grow a unified community force that will help your recycling programs succeed if there is no way for your residents to absorb and engage with the recycling knowledge they need.This year we challenge you to see what your residents can really do, when equipped with the right information. Educating residents to recycle better will help you see real results. Invest in recycling education for your municipality and spark the change your community is waiting for.

E-waste recycling doesn't get nearly enough attention.Over the past few years, e-waste has taken a back seat to highlight more pressing recycling concerns - namely the current plastic crisis and ongoing wishcycling that is crippling the industry. We've told ourselves that electronic waste is under control. But is it?While e-waste makes up just 2% of North America's landfill trash, discarded electronics also contain the most toxic waste of any other consumer product residents are using and throwing away. Some 70% of the nation's toxic waste is e-waste.

With new electronics released every few months, and demand growing the future needs to be toxic waste, and e-waste smart. Right now, we are recycling about 12-13% of all electronics being discarded, which is nowhere near enough to protect our local environments from harm.In today's article, we take a look at the latest innovations in e-waste recycling, and why you need to start making these a priority for your municipality.E-Waste Reclamation ProgramsSolving the e-waste problem is going to take some time. While the best minds in North America work on that, it's up to our Public Works Directors to make sure that people have locations where they can drop their significant amounts of e-waste.Many of the materials in computers, cell phones and televisions contain metals that have real value, like gold, aluminum, silver, copper, palladium, iridium and iron. Reclamation programs work to collect and strip these discarded electronics of their reusable and valuable materials.

Many States have implemented laws that make companies who sell these items responsible for their reclamation, which is a step in the right direction. Additional e-waste recycling programs should be implemented at learning institutions, shopping malls and local libraries.The harmful effects of e-waste on environmental areas are well-known. When locals don't recycle, these items create toxic landfill zones that pollute the ground, the air, and the water in surrounding locations. Human life and wildlife suffer as a result of living near toxic environments.Innovations in reclamation include:

• An incredible biological filter made from mushrooms that is able to reclaim up to 80% of the gold found in e-waste. This comes courtesy of a Research Centre in Finland. This process removes the need for harmful chemicals, and it's significantly more effective.

• Silicone circuit boards have been developed by researchers at the University of Illinois. These can be dissolved in water, dramatically reducing the impact of e-waste reclamation and disposal in landfills. Likewise, dissolvable batteries are being developed for similar reasons.

• Magnetic sorting of e-waste must be embraced to easily split non-magnetic materials from magnetics materials during the scrap sorting process. Magnetic separators are becoming a powerful force in efficient e-waste recycling practice. One company experienced a 300% improvement in processing capacity after installing this technology.

Support for E-waste Recycling Education Electronic waste recycling starts with residents and companies in your municipality. When you support e-waste education it will help residents understand their role in the recycling process, and how to achieve it without causing contamination or harm.Recycle Coach will help you bring everyone together, so that rolling out specific types of recycling information like this is easier. Our technology takes care of the residential education that you need to implement at the start of every successful e-waste recycling process.

Support for E-waste Technology and ProgressTechnology has the ability to transform the efficiency of the e-waste recycling industry. With better laws that promote recycling, the integration of new technologies and innovations and a push for greater e-waste recycling knowledge among the general public the industry can and will improve.E-waste has the potential to become a viable income stream for businesses that engage in their own reclamation programs. With an average of 24 electronic devices per household, it's essential that these programs practical and educational are rolled out as soon as possible.The Public Works Department of every municipality must move to support greater investment for e-waste reclamation facilities, new technologies and resident involvement. E-waste recycling is a long way away from being under control and plans must be made now to recover what we can.These electronic waste innovations will help us prevent the toxic environmental impact that comes with leaving these items in the landfill or incinerating them.By 2030, each municipality in North America must have established a way for residents to successfully recycle the majority of their electronics safety and consistently. It's up to you to begin this process from within your department.It's time to make e-waste recycling a priority, so that we can stop telling ourselves it's under control, and actually get it under control.

It's a new year which means new recycling goals to set.Last year was one for the books for the public works department. You were already dealing with an ongoing climate crisis, worsening recycling rates, and dwindling recycling program budgets. Then another disaster struck the novel coronavirus.

Now you face lost revenues, limited federal aid and ever-increasing operational expenses. While the pandemic continues to exacerbate existing budget issues and staff shortages, a lot can still be done to protect and preserve the environment. Creative solutions are what is needed in 2021.Trash levels are rising from people staying at home. Until the vaccine negates the threat, something must be done to encourage residents to recycle more often especially when it comes to the plastic items they're throwing away every day. Plastic is a relentless scourge that is only getting worse.So here are 5 creative ways to promote plastic recycling to your local community. Implementing some of these suggestions this year will help inspire residents to do their part in the fight against the struggles of the recycling system.

#1: Education About #1 and #2 Plastics

Residents assume that all plastics can be recycled, or that any plastic baring a number along with recycling arrows is recyclable. That's just not true. One way to promote plastic recycling in the community is to educate residents on which plastics can be recycled.

Educational activities come in a variety of forms. These can be email or social media campaigns, they can be linked to a series of blog posts your municipality releases about the issue they can even be part of a local television showcase. This year, get the word out about #1 and #1 plastic recycling.

#2: Targeted Residential Campaigns

No two municipalities are alike. Every town or city in North America faces unique challenges. Targeted residential campaigns zero in on these challenges and aim to fix them. Using new technology, residents are educated about an area of concern, which promotes mass change.

One example is the recent case study conducted by the City of Newark to reduce plastic bag recycling. Using Recycle Coaches education platform, residents were taught not to recycle single use plastic, and the result was an 82% reduction in plastic waste ending up in the recycling stream.

#3: Network Social Media Groups

Social media can be a force for positive change if you know how to use it. Right now, there are dozens of grassroots social media groups in your immediate area searching for ways to improve recycling, to be greener, and to make an impact on their local environment. Use them!

Reach out to smaller environmental groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Tell them about your plastic recycling drive, and ask them to help you spread the word (tips from: Adobe Express). You will be amazed at how far the message will go just by getting micro-organizations involved on social media.

#4: Host a Virtual Community Event

Virtual community events have become commonplace since the coronavirus forced everyone indoors. The good news is that these events are usually attended by more people, because they are online. All you need is to get some community organizations to jump on board.

An online community event can be anything from a public webinar, a themed games afternoon, or talent show to a variety concert, a photobooth challenge or a sponsored giveaway series. Get creative about the virtual experience and entice residents to attend.

#5: Sponsor a School-Wide Drive

School-wide drives are an old classic but you can put a fresh spin on them by inviting everyone at the school your team is visiting, to download your recycling app. Once connected, you can access plastic campaigns, leader boards and reward the kids with points and prizes.

Combine an outing to an endangered area or sanctuary with lessons on the app to teach kids about plastic pollution while on-the-go. Get them all to play a game in-app where they pick up plastic litter from a road in their neighborhood. Show them what a difference it makes!Promoting plastic recycling in the community isn't always easy. People lead busy lives and don't take the time to stop and hear the messages around them. That's why using technology is so effective. By engaging them and making them a part of something bigger, we stand to impact real change.The nation is recycling less plastic than ever before. It's time to make 2021 the year that your municipality stops the plastic epidemic for once and for all. Focus on inspiring residents to change their behavior, and solve a key problem in the plastic recycling chain.Whether it's rolling out new education initiatives, connecting with local grassroots groups on Facebook or hosting large community events online everyone needs to be aware that plastic is a threat, and it begins in our homes with the way we choose to recycle it, or not.

Do you know how to do a waste audit for your company?According to Great Forest, 77% of corporate trash is made up of paper, glass, metal, e-waste and organic materials that can ‚and should ‚be recycled. Only 23% of trash is worthy of the landfill.

If you've been given the go ahead to audit how much waste your company disposes of, it's up to you to find out what type of waste it is, if you can reduce your landfill disposal rate, and save money.You need a quick and easy checklist that will help you outline your next steps ‚so that your team can get moving on what matters ‚making your company more waste efficient.First, a bit of orientation on what you're dealing with.

What is a Waste Audit, Really?

To understand how to do a waste audit, you first need to know what it is.A good audit of your company's waste will tell you everything you need to know to streamline your trash disposal and recycling practices, for the benefit of your waste management processes.

Your basic waste management plan is usually made up of an audit, a waste diversion and a waste reduction strategy. There are also different types of waste audit, according to what your goals are as a company green team.

What Are Your Companies Waste Audit Goals?

Waste audits happen for a number of reasons:

• To benchmark your company's current processes & environmental impact
• To understand where the opportunities are for improvement
• Trend monitoring and development of new initiatives
• To reduce, reuse and recycle more waste, for less landfill disposal

What is recyclable trash, and what isn't, are two common issues that must be solved. If you don't have access to a web-based app, use a recyclepedia during your audit to look up what can be recycled, and what can be thrown in the trash.You can also find out the collection requirements of your local municipality using our ‘Find My Municipality' tool.On the whole, conducting a waste audit is a great way to kick off a high performance recycling program. Let's move onto auditing your office trash!

1: Plan Your Waste Audit

Planning is a vital step in the process for your green team. You need to figure out the who, the how and the why to get this done right. That means calling an official meeting.

• Assign roles and conduct a walk-through

Knowing how to do a waste audit starts with the right core team. Assign the best green team members you have to this important task, and host a company walk-through.

• Note where waste disposal takes place (locations)

During the walk-through, you'll visit each disposal location and take note of any obvious issues. These are the locations your team will be collecting waste samples from on your allotted dates.

• Understand how waste is currently managed

What is waste management anyway? At the end of your first meeting, outline the A-Z of what happens from the time trash is created, to your hauler collecting it, to it being sorted at a waste transfer station - to when it arrives at the landfill.

Image credit: Advanceddisposal.com

Spend some time chatting about how corporate e-waste and other materials are currently managed. Take note of any glaring opportunities.

2: Recruit Your Cleaning Staff

Your green team can conduct the waste audit on their own, or you can enlist the help of your company's cleaning staff. They will be instrumental in helping you pull off a successful audit!

• Host a staff meeting and enlist help

At your second meeting, invite key members of the cleaning staff so that you can chat to them about how to conduct a waste audit with your team.No-one knows the disposal practices of your company better than your cleaning staff. Tap into their knowledge to learn what you can about your company's disposal process.

• Run through a basic collection process

Once you have briefed them, and they're inspired to help ‚run through exactly what you expect from them so that no questions are left unanswered. They need a full step by step process here.

3: Sync Your Schedule & Timelines

At that same meeting, set a logical time and date for regular waste audits that involve all of your committed team members and cleaning staff.

• Perform a 5 day audit

During week 1, audit your waste for 3-5 days to get an average.

• Do random audits for 2 weeks

Then, for the next 2 weeks following your initial audit, perform random audits to make sure your averages are correct.Pick 2-3 days over those 2 weeks (after your initial audit period) to check that there are no major changes in weight or material content. If there are, investigate why.Tip! Ask your cleaning staff if they know what is recyclable and what's not. If they don't know, give them access to your Ask Milo tool to make it easier, or decide to sort the trash yourself.

4: Design and Prep Your Audit Worksheets

Create or download a waste audit worksheet for your team to use during the disposal audit. This worksheet will help you capture the data you need for decision-making.

• Types of waste (determining composition and identifying them)

There are types of waste audit, and types of waste. As you design your worksheet make sure you record the composition or material of each waste type.

• Where certain waste types come from (paper from the copying machine room for example)

Create an area on your worksheet that will let you record where your waste sample comes from. That way you can spot where certain types of material are most commonly found on premises.

• What you will need to complete the physical audit

So here's how to conduct a waste audit quickly and safely ‚have the tools you need on hand! On your worksheet, create a checklist of the required trash audit tools.

• A designated sorting area
• Protective clothing/gear
• A scale
• Trash bags
• A tarp for sorting through the trash
• Labels
• Worksheets & pens
• Storage containers
• Camera or phones
• Latex or nitrile gloves
• First aid kit
• Cleaning materials
• Labeled bins
• Clear goggles
• Your team
• Waste samples

5: Collect & Sort Sample Waste

The audits will last for about 1-3 hours, depending on the amount of trash you're sorting through. Get your protective gear on, and wait for your sample deliveries.

• Collect location samples

You should grab samples from every disposal location at your office. If you have a designated corporate e-waste area, it must be audited. Collect your samples, and sort them into material categories using your tarp, labeled bins and team.

• Take photos

Every location should be analyzed separately. At the end of each location sample, take photos of the sorted trash. Your waste paper recycling bin for example will need 3 photos for your report.

• Record waste quantities and weight

During sorting, each bin category must be weighed and that weight recorded. Knowing how to do a waste audit is only step 1 ‚you'll need these data quantities for later analysis in step 2.

• Estimate averages

After you've sorted every sample and have done the clean-up ‚you'll be back in a meeting room estimating your averages. Convert your data into percentages, totals, opportunities and make a note of what is recyclable and what's not.Whether you need to look up metal paint cans,Tupperware or textbooks, our recyclepedia will tell you if it can be recycled.

6: Check Estimates Against Existing Records

Once all of your data is collected and refined, you can check it against existing records. This is where you will discover areas for improvement.

• Cross referencing with purchase records

Step 3 of how to conduct a waste audit is taking your data and cross referencing it with purchase records. This will help you understand how trash is created, and how much of what is bought is being discarded.

• Take note of external factors

Your waste management recycle bins will also contain trash from other sources. Take note of anything interesting (like a lot of batteries in location 4).

• Cross referencing with waste disposal company

Finally, cross reference your data with your waste disposal company's data to reveal hidden gems. When you recycle shredded paper, waste management companies record your output. Get this data to use when you create your plan to reduce office waste.

7: Prepare Your Waste Audit Report

Your completed waste audit worksheet stack will be used to create a report for management. If you can prove what needs to happen using data, leadership will give you the go ahead!

• Graph and chart your findings

At your final meeting or two, spend time creating graphs and charts for your presentation. Compile all photos and highlight all opportunities found in your audit.For example, if your plastic waste recycling is contaminated ‚mention that in your report, along with contamination rates and how it can be improved using a simple educational tool.  

• Establish benchmarks

You have the data to benchmark your progress, well done! These benchmarks will act as your baseline starting point. There's nowhere to go but up!

• Set goals for improvement

From here, you'll want to establish new goals to improve every part of your waste management process. These goals you can represent as percentage improvements in your report.Set ambitious goals for your company and order them by priority. For example, if one waste management (glass recycling) area is non-existent, work on that first.Present these findings to your management team and to your company as a whole. Show stakeholders the opportunities in better waste management.Asking the right questions like ‘what can I recycle for money?' and ‘how much can we cut our landfill diversion by?' are questions every employee at your company should entertain.Here's a quick recap of the checklist:7 STEP CHECKLIST1: Plan Your Waste Audit

• Assign roles and conduct a walk-through
• Note where waste disposal takes place (locations)
• Understand how waste is currently managed

2: Recruit Your Cleaning Staff

• Host a staff meeting and enlist help
• Run through a basic collection process

3: Sync Your Schedule & Timelines

• Perform a 5 day audit
• Do random audits for 2 weeks

4: Design and Prep Your Audit Worksheets

• Types of waste
• Where certain waste types come from
• What you will need to complete the physical audit

5: Collect & Sort Sample Waste

• Collect location samples
• Take photos
• Record waste quantities and weight
• Estimate averages

6: Check Estimates Against Existing Records

• Cross referencing with purchase records
• Take note of external factors
• Cross referencing with waste disposal company

7: Prepare Your Waste Audit Report

• Graph and chart your findings
• Establish benchmarks
• Set goals for improvement

And that's how to do a waste audit using a quick and easy 10 minute checklist!From planning your waste audit to compiling the report once the data is collected, now you have a route forward.Which part of waste auditing do you find most challenging? Ask a question here.

Need some quick office recycling tips for today's green team meeting?If you've been looking for useful tips on how to improve your recycling processes, then this article will get those idea-cogs turning. It's jam-packed with things you could do to be, greener' at work.[embed]https://youtu.be/VKuG_dBhmfo[/embed]Remember‚ 9 out of 10 people say that they would recycle if it were easier, so it's up to you and your team to make recycling the easiest thing in the world at your company.Check out these 22 recycling tips for the office, and pick which one your team is going to focus on today. You'll be surprised at the difference you can make, changing one small thing at a time!Here is the list of top tips.

Tip #1: Have a Wish-Cycle Target

Does your company have a wish-cycle target yet? Set a goal to reduce improper recycling practices at your company so that waste contamination rates improve.A waste audit is a good place to start, and once you know the extent of the problem, you can work to fix it. Announce your wish-cycle target to the company to get everyone on board.

Tip #2: Install a Rinse Station

So, waste contamination is a real problem.One of our best workplace recycling tips involves moving your recycling bins near a rinse station, or installing one in the cafeteria where food waste is prominent.When your employees can rinse out their reusable lunch boxes and wash out their recyclables, less contamination will happen when they throw their paper, plastic and glass items away.

Tip #3: Put Filtered Water in The Fridge

The studies are in, filtered water is the healthiest type of water you can drink. Bottled mineral water has roughly the same mineral content as tap water. So there is no need for bottled water.

Instead of giving employees access to bottled water, make filtered water available in your fridges, and through your taps. Your employees will thank you for the health boost.

Tip #4: Create a Paper Policy

A vulnerable recycling area in the office is in the copy room, where paper is used. If you want to reduce use, and recycle paper correctly‚ take some time to draw up a paper policy.This will outline important recycling rules that your employees don't know about ‚Äì like how to dispose of shredded paper the right way (hint: it's not in the recycling). Stick these on the walls.

Tip #5: Add More Recycling Bins

There are ways to recycle more, but first you have to make sure your office has enough bins. So many workplaces only have one or two recycling areas! Maybe, you don't have enough.Consider adding recycling bins to areas of the office that would see a lot of action‚ like in cafeterias, outside kitchens, and near exits. People won't have to walk as far, which means they'll use them.

Tip #6: Setup a Reuse Station

One of our best recycling tips is about setting up a reuse station. This can be done for different materials, and even for old things your employees don't want anymore.

Designate a cupboard, or shelved area when employees can take their extra or second-hand office supplies, clothes and furniture. Be creative with ways to get more use out of these items!Have an additional area where things can be retired after being reused. That's how to recycle old clothes, supplies and products right.

Tip #7: Get a Web-Based Recycling App

For unlimited recycling tips and ideas, consider getting a recycling app that will link your employees together and make green initiatives as company, easier to manage. Ask your app things like: 'Can plastic straws be recycled?' and: 'how do I know what can and can't be recycled?'‚ and it will have the answers. Apps are a great way to deliver instant education daily.

Tip #8: Discourage Disposable Cups

We all love coffee culture, but it doesn't have to be at the expense of the earth. Reducing your employees addiction to single-use coffee cups will be challenging‚ but you can do it!Part of a sustainable lunch box means making your people aware that coffee cups can't be recycled. Just one cup a day equates to 23 pounds of waste per person, a year. The impact is enormous.So, put up posters, send emails, have free coffee refills for mug-bearing employees. Get the word out that your company is anti-disposable cups.

Tip #9: Use Desktop Recycling Trays

Here is one of those recycling tips for the office that immediately helps employees collect and recycle a particular material the right way.Instead of recycling bins at each person's desk, try desktop recycling trays that collect paper, or plastic items.

Paper for example, is lightweight and employees tend to use a lot of it at their desks. Much of it ends up in the trash, because people get busy - but these trays fit neatly in the corner of any desk!

Tip #10: Put Bins Where It Counts

A green recycling bin strategically placed in the break room where people eat lunch and hang out, is bound to see more action than one in the middle of a hallway.Centralizing bins is a great idea, but sometimes it makes your employees walk too far to make their recycling count. Making it easy, is about putting your bins where your people hang out the most.

Tip #11: Print on Both Sides

Reusing paper is a great way to immediately halve your paper waste. Paper recycling tips like this one can be company-wide, all it takes is a committed to printing on both sides.Send out a memo‚ for internal printing, all paper must be used on both sides. Any paper that has been used once, and can be used again should be placed at the upcycle station or near the printer.

Tip #12: Switch to Memo Notes

Do you still use large sheets of paper for everything in the office? Switching to post-it or memo notes is a decent way to help the environment. Small pieces of paper do the job just as well!

Here's one of those interesting facts about recycling you hear about‚ post-it notes are 100% recyclable. The adhesive on the notes is no problem for recycling machines.

Tip #13: Make Printing Optional

Who needs to print so much in this day and age of digital screens and mobile technology? Before you print things before meetings, give your employees the option to bring their tablet or laptop instead.There are good ways to recycle sure, but if you can save on material use do that first. Announce to your company that printing documents is now optional at meetings.

Tip #14: Use Easily Recyclable Products

Products made from recycled materials should always be your first choice, so that recycling them is easier. Glass for example, is infinitely recyclable‚ as long as it doesn't get contaminated.Get management to commit to buying recyclable products only, so that you can rid yourself of any non-sustainable items that just become waste.

Tip #15: Add Organic Waste Bins

Add an organic waste bin to your recycling program, and fill it with food scraps. Some 30% of what we throw away is food waste.It's a great way to close the food recycling loop‚ food is grown, eaten, discarded, made into compost, only to grow more food again.

You'll need a green recycling bin that goes indoors, and is emptied regularly. Clear labels, along with educational posters will go a long way to kicking off your food waste recycling project.

Tip #16: Avoid Food Packaging

Here are two top recycling tips straight from your sustainable lunch box program‚ avoid food packaging and buy in naked food products. Aim for zero-waste at lunch!If you have to, look at switching from packaged ready-made meals for your employees to a more canteen-style approach, where food can be dished onto reusable plates.

Tip #17: Compost Your Food Waste

If you've started an organic waste program, then why not compost your waste? So many companies have plants and gardens now that it seems like a waste not to use what you've got.Composting has added benefits, like adding nutrients back into the soil and improving the water quality in your area. If you're looking for a way to use your organic waste, this is it.

Tip #18: Appoint Department Captains

Employees at your company will want to help your green team achieve their goals. To get you there faster, and to keep your people accountable‚ appoint recycling department captains.

One of the most interesting facts about recycling is that with increased stewardship, results improve across the board. Department captains will help your green team engage with various employees.

Tip #19: Do a Paper Audit

The average employee uses 10,000 sheets of paper every year. That's an entire tree's worth of paper, per person, each year. Your company can do better, starting with a paper audit.Along with reducing paper use, there are better ways to recycle paper in the office. Find out how much paper is being recycled, and how much is being thrown in the trash to begin with.

Tip #20: Get a Smart Search Tool

When recycling at work, tips like this one are invaluable when you want to quickly and efficiently improve your recycling rate. Plus, they reduce contamination the more you use them!Get your company to use a smart search tool. Our Ask Milo tool instantly tells you what can be recycled. Ask questions like: 'can I recycle plastic bags?' and it gives you the answer.Learn how to recycle bubble wrap, plastic wrap and thousands of other materials.

Tip #21: Maintain Your Company Garden

If you have a company garden, and an organic waste program‚ instead of sending your compost away, use it in your own grounds.

Grow food, plants, and make your company beautiful using recycled food from your own restaurants, cafeterias and employees. It will boost the morale of everyone who uses it.

Tip #22: Provide Instant Incentives

Last on our list of fantastic recycling tips for the office, is to instantly incentivize your green practices.If your goal is to rid yourself of wish-cycling, or to raise your recycling rate by 20% - incentivize it for your employees.Offer a range of prizes for the best recycler or recycling team every month, and track everyone's progress using a web-based app. You'll be amazed how much people will enjoy it.Use these 22 top recycling tips to reshape your office culture and become a lean, green recycling team! Nothing can hold you back when you have inspired ideas on your side.Which of these tips did you like the best? Tell us here.

Does your office recycling program need improvement?You're not alone! Across America, employees struggle to adjust to the business recycling programs that their companies implement. And there are good reasons why adoption is an uphill battle!The good news is that your green team can take steps to simplify and amplify the impact of your eco-friendly initiatives. It starts with a few tweaks, and the resolution of some core obstacles.So here's how to encourage recycling at work using 7 super-easy ways to improve your existing program. These ideas won't just change your employees, they'll change your work culture.

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#1: Audit Your Office Recycling Bin Locations

‍How visible are the recycling bins at your office? If you don't know, then it's time to do a quick company survey to get to the bottom of the mystery.It may surprise you that your bins are located in the wrong spot, are hard to access by some employees, or are confusing to use because there are no helpful directions nearby.

There are many different ways to optimize where your office recycling bins are placed. Don't just change to any-old location, ask your employees – look at the data, and make an educated decision.According to a Great Forest experiment, the percentage of recyclables in trash dropped by 75% when they audited and centralized their bins.

• Make sure you have enough bins for the size of your company
• Your bins should be visible and easy to access in prominent locations
• Group bins together and separate them by materials
• Place recycling cans near usage hotspots ‚Äì paper bins in the copy room, plastic bins in the break room

Auditing your bin location is one of those office recycling ideas that can suddenly, and permanently improve your recycling results. Hear from your employees, and review your recycling data!

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‍#2: Get an App That Tells You What Can Be Recycled

‍One of the most common issues with your recycling program at work, is that your employees don't know what can, and what can't be recycled. A recent Covanta survey of 2000 Americans said that 62% of respondents worry that they don't know how to correctly recycle things. It makes sense then, to help your employees find out.

• Get a‚ what-goes-where app' that tells your employees what can and can't be recycled
• Work on educating your employees about recyclable materials
• Expand their recycling IQ through mobile technology or by using a recyclepedia

An app like this works to consistently educate your employees, while giving them real-time access to usable information at the moment it makes a difference.

‍#3: Promote a Paper-Conscious Policy

‍When you think of your average workplace, you think of paper, printing, memos and binders. That's why no office recycling program is complete without a paper-conscious policy.Mindlessly printing anything and everything has got to go. Your new office paper recycling push will make sure that your employees digitize their communications as much as possible.Paper recycling supports carbon sequestration and reduces climate change, so it has impact.

• Use recycled paper and print on both sides
• Put up signs discouraging printing in all forms unless absolutely necessary
• Educate your employees on the social, economic and environmental impact of paper use

It's also a good idea to get your janitorial staff on-board so that they know how to recycle paper at work, once it has been sorted.

‍#4: Create a Space for Recycled Office Supplies

‍By now, your green team must have noticed how many office supplies are being wasted every day. This has more to do with a lack of space, than intentional disregard for your recycling program.Employees like things to be easy, and organized. Deliberately designate a space for recycled office supplies, and encourage office workers to drop their old and surplus supplies there.

• Anything that can be reused should go in your reusable supply room
• Stationary, used paper, furniture, broken technology, clothing ‚Äì all extras
• Whenever an employee needs something, they must check the room first

Only allow your employees into the new office supply room if there are no alternatives. Your new supplies should be made out of recycled materials if possible.

‍#5: Buy Products That Have Been Recycled

‍Part of your job as a green team is to make sure that your office recycling program saves your company money. This will involve some sleuthing on your part.If your team notices that the company uses supplies that aren't recycled, you can track down the budget being spent on them and improve it with a pitch for a cheaper, recycled product.

• Investigate the cost of recycled products for your business
• Help your company replace standard products with recycled products, for less money
• There are hundreds of hundreds of brand products products that are made from recycled materials
• Pitch your bosses and make an economic and environmental case for the change

Recycling programs for businesses work best when the green team is able to make these critical changes on an economic level. Be a company that recycles and uses recycled products.

‍#6: Run Weekly Recycling Challenges

‍You've had the meeting launching your corporate recycling program ‚Äì but why should your employees care? To get better results from your team, make recycling a challenge.Not just any challenge, one that has real world benefits if they win! Imagine if every week, the top recycler in every department got to go home an hour or two early? Studies have suggested that friendly competition at work can motivate employees to achieve more and put in more effort where it counts.

Recognize their participation and your employees will support your sustainability goals.

• Run weekly recycling challenges with a desirable reward
• Leaving early, working from home, free lunches, special perks
• Create levels of recognition ‚Äì inter-departmental & consecutive wins

When there's an attainable prize at the end of the week, your employees are likely to inspire each other to do better for you, and for the environment.These small acts of recognition work especially well with Gen Z and Millennial employees, who feel fulfilled when they are acknowledged for doing something meaningful.You'll be improving your recycling practices and increasing loyalty to your brand.

‍#7: Set Fun Monthly Targets That Change

‍One of the best recycling tips we've ever seen in practice is to give everyone a clear and intentionally specific goal every month.Your green team can switch it up, focusing on paper, plastic, cans or other materials to keep employees engaged and learning.

The key here is to set an easy, highly visible goal that will help boost your office recycling program results. Mentioning your goal in meetings will go a long way to keeping it top of mind.

• A month dedicated to waste reduction, or a specific material, or initiative
• Review your current recycling analytics and set an ambitious numerical goal (20%+)
• Make your goal a big deal in your internal mails, newsletters & communication
• Constantly update your goal every week

Pick a spot to showcase what your current goal is that month, and how close you are to achieving it. There should be a desirable company-wide reward if your goal is achieved.These 7 easy ideas will help you whip your recycling program into shape. Take some time to discuss these points in a meeting with your green team. Decide which of these concepts you'll implement to accelerate your program's results this year.With these improvements, your office recycling program will grow to become a cherished and ingrained part of your work culture. Each and every employee will take responsibility for the materials they use and the waste that they create.It's so important to understand the recycling IQ of your company, using new technology and stronger methods of gaining traction and visible results. Good luck!

‍Which of these simple improvements are you going to test out? Tell us below!