Big Scary Boss: Tips for Requesting a Recycling Program
Convince them that recycling at work is actually good for business.
Average Thought Process: The sole purpose of a business is to make money for the owners. Anything posing as an obstacle, such as spending cash on non-compulsory workplace recycling efforts, must be avoided.
….and unless you regularly hit up The Cove on the weekends or go way, way back with your boss, you might feel uncomfortable asking them a favor. But the knots in your stomach are there knowing all the waste from the office piles high in the landfill. So, what do you do? Pitch anyways.
Appeal to their better side.
Bosses are human, too. And while they might not express it, they’re (most likely) (a little bit) concerned for our future here on Earth as well. Unless you’ve spoken to them directly, don’t assume they don’t care at all.
A gentle reminder that unless you’ve spoken to them directly, don’t assume they do not care at all.
It's a rare and beautiful thing when a Head understands that recycling is the right thing to do. So, more often than not, they only care about profitability. Save on waste hauling fees:
Reduce Waste Hauling Fees
Reduce custodial costs.
How much time does your custodian spend emptying trash? No, really. Calculate it! Most labor hours are usually spent collecting trash under each employee's desk. For example: If you have 50+ desks with tiny trash cans under them, it’s a possibility they’re emptying these every night. What if they only needed to do 4 per floor? Think of the time saved.
Implementing a centralized and easy-to-access "waste" station that accumulates all streams in one area can save your business on custodial labor costs. Reducing the number of cans also minimizes the number of waste can liners.
Stop wasting resources.
Generally, as consumers, we hope to get the best use out of the items we buy. But the products that you toss into the landfill are not living their best life. Give them a second chance by recycling them properly so they can be turned into new products. Additionally, that means being responsible about the initial purchase.
To put into perspective: Purchasing printed disposable plates cannot be recycled. They are a single-use items (meaning you buy, eat, and toss). Whereas a commercial-grade compostable plate will be turned into nutrient-dense soil (when composted) which can be used to grow plants, veggies, and flowers. Where’s your money better spent?
Service what you need.
When was the last time your waste management company checked in on you? It's been a while. You might be getting hit with overage fees or even underfilling your containers. Get the right sizes!
We take the time to analyze the necessary volume needs before and during your contract. Additionally, we can provide tips on how to keep that bill low by taking advantage of your space, like breaking down cardboard boxes.
Improve Social ROI
66% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-brands. Predominately young, socially-conscious consumers actively search for products/services that alight with their values. Companies committed to delivering a positive environmental outcome will instantly improve their bottom line with a recycling initiative.
Attract Higher Quality Recruits & Retain Employee Retention
Good employees are hard to find and retain because they take pride in their work, understand best how a business treats their employees and the environment, and ultimately, desire to work with organizational values that align with their personal values. Additionally, when good employees stick around, your not wasting time and resources on active turn-over.
Unicorn Heads, like those at Atlas Medical Staff, understand that employee engagement programs, like pizza parties and ping pong tables, don't cut it. On the other hand, employees who bring their waste from home, like beer cans and glass bottles, feel appreciated and valued.
Sustainable Companies Reveal Financial Results
Still getting a frosty response? Clinch it with this! One study from Harvard Business School suggests "high sustainability" firms dramatically outperformed the "low sustainability" companies based on accounting measures and stock market performance.
Workplace sustainability involves more than just a recycling program. But understanding that companies are major waste generators, recycling is a great place to make positive environmental impacts. For example, recycling takes much less energy than making new materials from scratch.
Do your homework.
Someone needs to lead the initiative.
The boss already has enough on their plate. Prove that you’ll take lead on this new initiative.
Gain buy-in from other staff and possibly clients.
Saving the planet cannot be solved in an email. Bring up the idea of starting a recycling program at the all-hands meeting. There's undoubtedly another staff keen to get it going, and they might have ideas, contacts, or time to offer. The program will be successful with more buy-in from others. Reach out to well-known clients for their opinion as well. You can ask them to write a referral letter on their thoughts.
Demonstrate your leadership initiatives by organizing a green team.
For recycling habits to take root, you can establish a "Green Team" or an organization of employees who work together to make the organization more sustainable. Then, through advocacy and action, show your boss that this team will collaborate to find and implement solutions to reduce waste and increase recycling. Read up on How to Start a Green Team here.
"I can't afford this."
Get that phrase out of your vocabulary yesterday. Instead, ask yourself: how can we afford this? By making that simple mindset shift, you invite the universe to show you exactly how you can afford this. When you say, "I can't afford this," you create a limiting belief that manifests into your reality. Stop saying statements and start asking questions. Look at the budget—research grants. Prove to them that you're already looking for funding opportunities.
“No support here.”
Don't let excuses like, "we're short-staffed" or "We don't have the support" right now stop you. Like a situationship, "if he wanted to, he will" or the ever-popular, "where there's a will, there's a way." Basically, if people want to do something, they make time and effort to get it done.
Know the Facts
Before a trash audit with us or delivering a proposal to your boss, gathering data about your current recycling efforts is a good idea. You will find questions at the bottom of this blog. Copy and paste them into a Google Doc and share it with us. More information, the better.
Conclusion
It's frustrating seeing piles of trash leave the office. But, because you're eco-conscious, you know what happens with it all (landfill). Before you give in to the temptation to haul the recyclables off to a city recycling center, chat with your boss. It'll be easier than you thought. With a bit of preparation, it's easier than you thought. There's a lot on their plate, and they needed a little push.
A letter to your boss:
Dear [Boss's Name],
I am writing to propose the implementation of a recycling program at our workplace. As you are aware, our company produces a significant amount of waste on a daily basis, and it is our responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment.
By starting a recycling program, we can divert a large portion of our waste from landfills and reduce our carbon footprint. Recycling also has the potential to save our company money in waste disposal fees and can improve our reputation as an environmentally conscious business.
I propose that we start by implementing a basic recycling program for paper, plastic, and aluminum cans. We can place recycling bins in common areas such as break rooms, conference rooms, and near copiers and printers. We can also educate our employees on the importance of recycling and how to properly dispose of their waste.
To ensure the success of this program, I am willing to take on the responsibility of coordinating and managing the recycling efforts. I will work with Omaha’s only eco-friendly waste management company, Hillside Solutions to ensure that our recyclables are properly collected and processed.
Thank you for considering this proposal. I believe that by implementing a recycling program, we can make a positive impact on the environment and improve our company's sustainability efforts.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Trash Audit Preparation Survey
Indoor Questions:
What streams are currently being separated?
Is there signage at all collection points?
What type of signage are you using right now?
Hillside Solution posters
Recycling Across America stickers
Something else
None at all
Are you following bin color national standards?
Yes, green = composting
Yes, blue = recycling streams
Yes, black = landfill
No, no evident coordination
Are you currently doing dual-stream recycling: are paper and cardboard properly separated from plastics and metal?
Are you using compostable service ware, utensils, and packaging? If yes, where are you getting it from?
Are all the service ware items verifiable and composable?
If something is unverifiable, take a picture for us to analyze later.
What items would you like to divert from the landfill?
Outdoor Questions:
Are you flattening cardboard?
Are the separated in-house containers being put correctly into the outdoor containers?
Are there correct posters on the dumpsters and/or cart stickers? Are they applied correctly?
Are there any chances of contamination, overage or illegal dumping?
Do you need locks on containers to prevent illegal dumping?
Is the infrastructure in working order?
Things to Ask a Manager
What company currently services your waste?
What size dumpsters/containers do you now have?
How frequently are these containers/dumpsters picked up?
What materials go inside these dumpsters?
How happy are you with your current hauler?
When does your contract end?
Have you designated an individual or "Green Team" to oversee recycling/composting progress?
Do staff understand your current recycling practices?
Have the staff been previously trained?
Do you incorporate sustainability training into new employee hires?
Are you talking about sustainability efforts on social media?
Are. you interested in becoming a compost club sponsor?
Are you using our soil or mulch products?
If you work with another waste hauler
If you sell/prepare food, are you aware of the free donation pick-up service by Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue?
Are you willing to provide a referral or online review?