Recycling

After reducing the amount of paper, plastic, metal, etc. used in your business, and reusing what you can, be sure to recycle the many items in your business' waste that can be saved from the landfill.

 

There are many resources available to help you set up a successful recycling program for your business. Recycling is not only good for the environment, it can also reduce your business' waste disposal costs.


Get Started

  • Decide what materials to recycle—Recycle paper, glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, pallets, pallet wrap, wood debris, and toner and inkjet cartridges, and other materials. Consider composting landscape waste and other organic material.
  • Find a recycling vendor—Check with your local waste hauler or recycling center – or use the local resources listed below - to find out what kind of materials are accepted in your area and by what vendors.
  • Choose recycling bins—Trash cans or washable plastic bins are the best containers to store your recycling. Be sure to rinse out any recyclables that contained food and wash your bins when needed.
  • Engage and educate your employees—Let your employees know about your new recycling program and participate in its success. Take suggestions of how to improve the program, and engage your employees in implementing their suggestions.
  • Label your recycling bins—Download and print appropriate recycling signs, and any special instructions, such as: remove caps, stomp on containers, break down cardboard boxes, bundle newspapers, etc.
  • Maintain and monitor your recycling program—Keep your recycling bins clean and dry and make sure materials don't pile up. Assign employees responsibility for maintaining the areas, and engage them in measuring the program's success.
  • Keep it fun and rewarding—Reward participating employees and find ways to challenge the office to increase the amount of materials they collect.


Local Resources and Organizations

 

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) - Recycling Homepage for Business

IDEM's business recycling page includes information on recycling grants available to business.

 

Indiana Recycling Coalition

IRC supports source reduction, reuse, composting and recycling activities in Indiana.

 

Recycle Indianapolis

Recycle Indianapolis encompasses all facets of the City's recycling programs, including:

 

  • eCycles: eCycles is the City of Indianapolis electronic waste recycling program
  • ToxDrop: ToxDrop promotes the safe use, storage and disposal of household hazardous waste such as fire extinguishers, cleaning chemicals, florescent light tubes and much more. ToxDrop includes a program custom-tailored to small businesses.  
  • Change A Light, Dispose It Right: This program enables the proper disposal of CFL bulbs which contain mercury that can contaminate our groundwater.
  • Leaf Collection: Indianapolis' annual Leaf Collection Program helps residents dispose of fall leaves and produces useable compost, offered free to citizens.
  • Drop-off Recycling: This recycling program accepts glass, #1 & #2 plastics, aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans, newspapers and magazines at 29 locations across Marion County. A map is available for download to locate the site closest to you.
  • Curbside Recycling: The City of Indianapolis provides curbside service for recycling glass, #1 & #2 plastics, aluminum, tin, and steel beverage and food cans, newspapers and magazines.

Indianapolis Recycle and Reuse Guide

This comprehensive recycling guide, maintained by Keep Indianapolis in partnership with the City of Indianapolis, details where to recycle items not currently accepted as part of the City's Recycle Indianapolis programs.

 

Other Resources and Organizations


Portland Recycle at Work Program
A comprehensive resource for business recycling, including a "how to begin" guide, sample policies and practices, and printable recycling posters

National Recycling Coalition

National Recycling Coalition's Recycling 101, includes a recycling calculator to measure the impact of your recycling efforts.

 

Earth911.com for Business - Guide to setting up a recycling program at work

A simple, step-by-step approach to setting up an effective recycling program for your business.

 

US Conference of Mayors - Recycling

The US Conference of Mayors promotes business recycling through National Clean your Files Day and supporting toner cartridge recycling

 

Office Paper Recycling – GreenBiz Essential

A valuable overview article from GreenBiz on recycling paper in the office.

 

Taking the Wrinkles out of Paper Recycling

An excellent article from GreenBiz on how to increase the effectiveness of your office paper recycling program.

 

Downloadable recycling signs


EPA

 

I want to commend you on establishing a structured program that encourages environmentally sustainable economic development. We at Indiana Wildlife Federation are supportive of many of the practices that you propose in the Green Business Initiative.