Michigan State University Extension
Tourism Educational Materials - 33417120
06/06/02
Recycling For The Hospitality Industry
List of files and visuals associated with this text.
Source: Clemson
Authors: Thomas Potts; Joyce Christenbury; and Francis
Wolak
ID: EC 684
Year: 1994
Acknowledgments
Some of the material incorporated into this manual was
adapted from information contained in other recycling
guides. Most notable among these were: "Recycling in
Hotels and Motels" from the Florida Cooperative Extension
Service; "Guide to Commercial and Institutional Recycling"
from the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority; and
the "Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste" from the
Environmental Protection Agency.
The authors wish to extend their appreciation to Ms. J. M.
Townsend at the University of Florida for her help and
invaluable insights to hotel and motel recycling. The
staff of the Westin Resort in Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina, is commended for their participation in pilot
study activities.
Special thanks is due the Office of Solid Waste Reduction
and Recycling, South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control, for financial support which made
development of this manual possible.
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of
race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or disability
and is an equal opportunity employer.
Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of
Agriculture, South Carolina Counties, Extension Service,
B.K. Webb, Director, Clemson, S.C. Issued In
Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture
and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30,1914
EC 684
November 1994
Recycling for the Hospitality Industry
Authors:
Thomas D. Potts
Associate Professor,
Parks Recreation and Tourism
Management
Joyce H. Christenbury
Professor, Family and Youth
Development
Francis J. Wolak
Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering;
Coordinator, Office for Solid Waste Education 222 McAdams
Hall Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634-0357 (803) 656-
4075
OVERVIEW
South Carolina is a beautiful state blessed with a wide
range of natural resources from the mountains to the ocean
shore. It is vital that we all work together to protect
our environment for our benefit and the welfare of
generations yet to come.
Towards this end, South Carolina enacted the Solid Waste
Policy and Management Act of 1991.This legislation was
designed to address the growing concern citizens have
towards the impact of solid waste upon the environment. A
main component of the act is to promote the reduction,
reuse, and recycling of solid waste before land filling or
incineration. One of the provisions of the law is the
establishment of 30% waste reduction and 25% recycling
goals by the year 1997.
Government alone cannot meet the goals. Legislation by
itself is not the way to encourage people to recycle and
reduce. It takes the cooperation of all; government,
business, industry, and private citizens. Each group must
do their part if we are to preserve the beauty this state
possesses.
Today there is an increasing need to wisely utilize our
resources. The attractiveness of our environment
influences the decision making process of the potential
traveler to South Carolina and is therefore a major factor
in determining our market potential. One of the greatest
challenges that we face is maintaining or improving that
environmental base.
Recycling is a key component in maintaining or improving
the local environment. Not only does recycling make good
economic sense, but it also demonstrates to the guest and
the community a sense of good ethics.
Use this manual as a beginning point in developing a
recycling program for your property. With teamwork and
realistic expectations, your property can have a
successful recycling experience. With the cooperation of
individual citizens, along with public and private sector
groups, we can accomplish our goal of making South
Carolina a better place to be.
Recycling is one element in the process of addressing the
growing, problem of municipal solid waste in the United
States. By recycling, valuable materials which would
otherwise be discarded are collected, remanufactured, and
reused. The idea of resource recovery and reuse is a key
element in the modem concept of sustainable development.
Another solution to the solid waste problem is to reduce
the amount of solid waste generated in the first place.
Source Reduction can be implemented hand-in-hand with
recycling at hotels. This publication will help guide the
development of recycling programs at your facility. While
the primary focus is upon recycling, it should be a goal
of the hotel staff to look for ways to reduce the
generation of trash in the first place.
To be highly effective your solid waste management program
should address the following topics:
1) Capture of recyclable materials from the waste stream.
This is only the first step in recycling. It involves
knowing which materials can be effectively separated from
the hotel waste stream. It also involves identification of
local markets which will accept the recyclable materials
for ultimate remanufacture into new products. Only those
items which have a local market should be considered for
inclusion in collection programs.
2) Delivery of recyclable materials to the remanufactures.
From the hospitality industry point of view, this step
primarily involves the delivery of quality-clean
recyclables to the processor. The intermediate
processors\haulers involved in this step are dealing with
a low-value commodity. By supplying clean, sorted material
at the loading dock, you can ensure a market for your
recyclable materials.
3) Source reduction. This concept has great potential in
the hospitality industry. As your recycling team begins to
function, they will be able to identify ways to reduce
waste before it happens! A simple idea such as two-sided
copies can have a tremendous impact upon the waste stream
and often times save money in the process (without even
considering the avoided solid waste disposal expense).
4)Purchase of materials with recycled content. This step
has to occur for true recycling to take place. Your
commitment to collection and marketing is meaningless if
you are not willing to actively look for and purchase
products with recycled content. The availability of
recycled content products are increasing and the price
differential compared to virgin content products is
disappearing as the recycling industry grows.
Program Development
For any property to implement a recycling program it is
necessary to develop a complete and thorough plan. This
publication is designed to lead you through the entire
process necessary to develop and implement a successful
recycling program for resort properties, as outlined in
Figure 1. Each step of Figure 1 is discussed in detail on
the following pages.
Program Development Process
1) Feasibility Audit
2) Organization - The Team
3) Information Gathering
4) Making It Work!
5) The Next Step
6) Evaluation
Figure 1. Recycling Program Development Process
______________________________________
The planning process is not a top-down, straight-line
process. Initial plans are developed, key players are
approached, information-nation is gathered, further plans
are made, and continuous evaluation is required to
determine where further work or information is needed.
This manual can be used in the same fashion. For instance,
the feasibility audit is only the beginning point. The
feasibility audit cannot be completed until portions of
the team are identified and relevant information has been
gathered. By stressing the team approach and making
each member a functioning element, a superior plan can be
developed.
Part 1 - Feasibility Audit
As a beginning point a rough feasibility analysis must be
undertaken to determine the potential for a recycling
program to be established at any hotel or motel. This
"first-cut" analysis should consider as a minimum the
following items:
Is recycling right for the property?
- Will management support it?
- Will the staff support it?
Are there markets for the collected material?
- What items can be marketed locally?
- Are there public and/or private interests supporting
this activity?
What are the costs of recycling?
- Transportation?
- Processing fees?
What are the benefits of recycling?
- Advertising?
- A positive member of the community?
- Environmental stewardship?
- Lower solid waste fees?
It is not possible to simply sit down and determine
answers to all of the above questions. Good data may not
be available in all areas. A recycling team may need to be
formed to search out answers and to develop the final plan
to go forward or to hold-off until conditions change.
A quick check of local conditions and attitudes will give
you an indication of the need to develop a more
comprehensive plan to institute recycling at your
facility.
Part 2 - Team Work Is The Key!
Decision by General Manager
If upon review of the initial feasibility audit the
general manager decides to go forward with a recycling
program the following actions are suggested to ensure
program success:
-Inform the hotel's owners and appropriate corporate
managers of the hotel's plan to organize a recycling
program, and seek their commitment and financial support.
-Appoint a local Recycling Program Manager.
-Establish an accounting system that reflects monthly
waste management costs. A monthly report is needed for
tracking waste disposal and recycling information.
-Establish a budget for the recycling program. Funds may
be needed for purchasing containers, equipment, and
developing employee motivation programs.
-Create employee interest in the facilities recycling
program.
-Build ownership by involving employees in the initial
stages of the program.
-Assist the recycling team in establishing the hotel's
recycling goals. Post the goals on bulletin boards so all
employees are informed.
-Meet with the recycling team periodically to demonstrate
the company's commitment and to monitor the program's
progress.
-Support the recycling team's decisions that make the
program operate more successfully. Changing waste
disposal practices may present challenges for some
department managers and supervisors.
-Incorporate recycling procedures in employee position
descriptions. Include recycling in employee orientation,
employee training, and staff meetings.
-Inform employees of the program's progress.
-Develop an environmentally green marketing plan for the
hotel. Work with the hotel's marketing company to
highlight the hotel's Recycling and Eco-Purchasing
programs in all promotional materials.
Organizing a hospitality related recycling program
requires a long term commitment that incorporates a
systematic approach which involves the owners, general
managers, department managers, and employees. An example
of this approach is noted in the Westin Environmental
Policy memo which follows.
WESTIN
Hotels & Resorts
MEMO
Date: July 27, 1994
Subject:
WESTIN NORTH AMERICA'S POLICY RELATIVE
TO ITS COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
To: WNA Leaders
cc: Corporate Officers
Corporate Sales Offices
Central Reservations Office
From: Jim Treadway
Dear Colleagues:
It is the policy of Westin North America to protect,
preserve, and enhance if possible, the natural
environment. Westin does this by continuously improving
its efforts to conserve natural resources, reduce
pollution, and effect and support activities that enhance
the natural environment. Such efforts shall include energy
and water conservation practices, waste reduction and
recycling, the use of recycled products, reduction of the
discharge of air and water pollutants and environmentally-
harmful materials, and initiation or support of local
efforts to protect or enhance ecosystems. Related programs
and plans to action shall be developed, documented and put
into practice. These plans shall be maintained as "living
documents" and be part of each property's overall business
plan.
Please anticipate as part of the business planning process
identifying the steps your property is taking or will take
to fulfill your role in making this policy reality. Many
thanks.
Regards,
________________________________________
Appointment of the Recycling Program Manager
The recycling program manager should be appointed by the
general manager. This position requires an individual with
leadership and communication skills who is able to
motivate employees. Knowledge of the hotel's current waste
disposal practices and contracting procedures would be
helpful. The recycling program manager should:
- Meet monthly with the hotel's general manager to inform
him/her of the recycling program's progress.
- Organize the hotel's employee recycling team
through the involvement of employees from all
departments.
- With management's assistance establish a budget for
program organization, equipment purchases, and employee
motivation/ rewards.
- Develop an action plan which includes dates, activities,
employee education, publicity, and reports for
management and employees.
- Establish a team meeting schedule. Weekly meetings will
be needed during the first few weeks as the recycling
program is being organized. Once the program is fully
implemented, monthly meetings will probably be
sufficient.
- Post meeting announcements on employee bulletin boards
so all employees are aware of the meetings. List dates
with the facilities meeting planner so it will appear on
daily event television monitors for the public.
- Work with the recycling materials processor to train
team on materials preparation.
- Develop recycling procedures to complement operational
practices of the facility. Train employees in recycling
procedures specific for their departments.
- Research recycling container types and equipment prices.
- Contact intermediate processors and government materials
recovery facilities for processing information.
- With the assistance of department managers and
employees, design materials collection and storage
systems that compliment employee work procedures. Seek
their input in selecting recycling collection containers
for work stations in their departments.
- Issue bid invitations to waste haulers and intermediate
processors for removal/hauling and processing of
recyclable materials.
- Work with the General Manager and Properties Public
Information Manager to prepare news releases for
hospitality industry publications and local media.
- Issue bid invitations for purchasing and leasing
recycling containers and equipment.
- Develop a monitoring program that addresses employee
compliance in the property's recycling program. If one
employee does not comply with the recyclable materials
preparation requirements of the processor, an entire
load of materials may be rejected.
Organization of Recycling Team
When organizing the recycling team be sure to include
employees from all departments and work shifts. Team
members may be volunteers, selected by management, or
elected by co-workers. Be sure to establish a rotation
system for recycling team members. It is important to keep
a few experienced members on the team at all times. The
team should:
- Assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring the
property's recycling program.
- Set specific goals for volume and weight reduction.
- Teach recycling techniques to employees in their
departments.
- Inform co-workers of the recycling program's progress.
- Assist in preparing recycling procedures for the various
hotel departments.
- Monitor compliance with recycling procedures established
by the recycling team.
- Periodically evaluate types and amounts of wastes
generated in the various departments and adjust the
recycling program to include those materials, if
appropriate.
- Evaluate program effectiveness.
Team Agenda
During the first two to three months, meeting agendas
should focus on organizing the recycling program and
training employees. After the initial program
organization, meeting agendas should cover motivational
programs, employee ideas, and program publicity.
Suggested Team Topics:
Hauling charges and receipts.
Recycling material payments.
Departmental recycling compliance.
Program publicity.
Employee motivational programs
Container condition/sanitation.
Employee suggestions.
Source reduction/EcoPurchasing.
PART 3 - INFORMATION GATHERING
Waste Audit
In order to develop an effective program it is important
to know your starting point, this is accomplished with a
waste audit. The waste audit identifies the types and
approximate quantities of material generated on the
property that are available for recycling. The audit will
help you determine:
- Amount of waste and recyclables generated
- Types of recyclables generated
- Potential savings due to waste disposal cost reduction
Although an estimate of the amount of recyclables can be
done by direct sorting and measurement of waste,
experience has taught us that an acceptable estimate of
recyclables can be made from reviewing purchasing and
waste removal records and by conducting a walking audit of
facilities.
Facility Walk-Through
This activity is designed to identify and record the
different waste-generating activities and equipment in
your facility, the types of waste produced, and any
current waste reduction efforts. During this activity it
will be possible to identify materials that could be
targeted by your source reduction program and brainstorm
ways to reduce. recycle, or compost these materials (See
suggestions).
The walk-through will produce the following information:
- Waste-producing activity or equipment.
- Waste material produced.
- Estimated waste produced per year.
- Current waste reduction activities, if any.
The walk-through entails carefully observing waste-
generating activities and equipment, examining the
contents of waste containers, interviewing supervisors and
employees, and documentation of findings.
Be sure to pay close attention to areas and operations
that tend to generate the largest amounts of waste, such
as shipping and receiving departments, copying areas,
cafeterias, assembly lines, and offices. Remember to
included a review of the grounds maintenance operations.
While conducting the walk-through, watch closely for
activities and equipment that generate waste
unnecessarily, as well as waste reduction efforts that are
already in place.
Before the walk-through begins, contact department
managers to inform them of the visit and the possibility
of short interviews with department staff. (More involved
interviews should be scheduled separately.) You may also
want to interview custodial workers and operations staff.
If possible, schedule the walk-through just before trash
pickups to allow a sufficient amount of waste to
accumulate. Avoid scheduling it on or around holidays,
company parties, or other special events that would
produce waste not representative of a normal workday.
During the walk-through, ask questions about variations in
daily waste generation. For example, periodic deliveries
may result in more discards on the delivery day. In
addition, ask about any recent or upcoming changes within
the department, such as new equipment or procedures, that
could alter the types or amounts of waste generated.
Review of Purchasing and Waste Removal Records
After completing the facility walk-through, it may be
useful to document recycling potential by reviewing
records. The weight of waste, cardboard, newspaper,,
glass, and steel can be estimated using worksheets 1-5.
Worksheets 6 and 7 can be utilized to document waste
disposal costs and potential savings due to recycling.
This summary only considers the major recyclables
contributing to disposal weight reduction (cardboard,
newspaper, glass, and steel). However, aluminum, office
paper, and plastic are items which can be easily separated
from the solid waste stream and have good markets in many
locations. They should be given serious considered for
program inclusion. Later chapters will discuss the
marketing of recyclables including cardboard, newspaper,
glass, steel, aluminum, office paper, and plastic.
WORKSHEETS 1 Estimating the weight of waste(Vis. 1)
WORKSHEETS 2 Estimating the weight of cardboard(Vis. 2)
WORKSHEETS 3 Estimating the weight of newspaper(Vis. 3)
WORKSHEETS 4 Estimating the weight of glass(Vis. 4)
WORKSHEETS 5 Estimating the weight of steel(Vis. 5)
WORKSHEETS 6 Waste disposal costs(Vis. 6)
WORKSHEETS 7 Summary of Potential Disposal Cost Reduction
Due to Recycling(Vis. 7)
Selection of Recycling Materials
An in-depth review of your initial waste audit will reveal
the types of materials that offer opportunities for
recycling. Your recycling team should fully review the
waste audit and discuss any additional materials that may
have been overlooked. Use the worksheet for selecting
Intermediate Processor or Materials Recovery Facility on
page 16 to help identify materials which may have been
overlooked in the waste audit.
It has been established nationally that 50-65% of a
hotel's waste is recyclable. The amount of recyclables
generated depends on such factors as: type of facility,
occupancy, number and size of meal functions, lounge
activity, conventions, guest and employee activities, and
purchasing practices. It is essential that you identify
those materials which will be readily received by
processors/recycling companies.
Marketing of the Recyclables
Before a hotel recycling program can be implemented a
decision must be made about where the recyclable materials
are to be taken for processing. This decision can make the
difference between simply disposing of recyclables or
receiving money for them. It also determines the amount of
materials preparation required for recycling. This
important decision usually involves either public or
private Processing Facilities of which there are several
types.
An intermediate processor collects, consolidates, and
prepares quantities of recyclable materials for shipment
to manufacturers. Some processing facilities are owned and
operated by mills or manufacturers. Processors offer
different levels of services. Some processors operate buy
back centers where materials are weighed and payment is
made for specific materials. Full-service processors
accept all recyclable materials and may offer other
services such as container leasing or loan and materials
transportation.
A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) accepts commingled
recyclable materials for processing. Most MRFs accept
glass, plastic, paper, aluminum, and steel materials. Each
operation is different so contact the local MRF manager
for information about acceptable materials and the
preparation required. MRFs may be owned and operated by
private industry or by city or county governments. In some
states, MRFs are owned by counties and operated by private
industry. MRFs may or may not pay for recyclable materials
and occasionally there may be sorting or processing fees.
Investigate the rules and regulations covering hauling and
tipping fees at MRFs in your county before choosing a
processor for the hotel's recyclable materials.
Intermediate processors/recycling companies are listed in
the yellow pages of telephone directories. New companies
or smaller companies may not be listed in the yellow
pages. Contact the local county or city recycling
coordinator for a list of recycling companies servicing
your area and a copy of local recycling rules and
regulations at the County MRF, if there is one in your
county. In addition, the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control (1-800-768-7348) may be
of assistance.
TIPS for Selecting a Materials Processor
The following questions will help in gathering information
for making an informed decision when selecting a company
to process the hotel's recyclable materials.
Which recyclable materials does the processor accept? Some
processors accept all of the materials being recycled by
hotels and motels. These materials include office paper,
newspaper, cardboard, steel, plastic, aluminum, and glass.
In contrast, some processors only accept one or two select
materials. For example, an intermediate processor may
recycle only aluminum or office paper. To reduce truck
traffic at the hotel/motel, look for a processor who
accepts all of the materials to be recycled. (See
worksheet)
What are the materials preparation requirements? The
degree of materials preparation will vary with the
materials and with the processors. Some processors require
that materials be clean and sorted and others accept clean
commingled materials.
Does the processor pay the hotel/motel for the materials?
Some processors pay for clean, high quality recyclable
materials. Receiving payment for the materials should not
be the motivating force for recycling; however, if payment
is received for the materials, it can help finance the
recycling program's start-up expenses and employee
programs. If the processor pays for recyclable materials,
establish how the price is determined and how often
payment is made. Provide the processor with the hotel's
name and address so payments are not sent to the hauling
company.
Does the processor provide collection and/or storage
recycling containers? If yes, are containers provided at
no cost? How are old worn-out containers replaced?
Processors may provide free recycling containers with an
exclusive agreement for the materials.
Does the processor provide transportation for the
materials? If yes, is there a charge? What is the
frequency and time of materials pickup? There are
processors who may provide free transportation for some
materials. This has been a trend in some states with mills
and processors of newspaper, office paper, aluminum, and
cooking oil. The transportation charges by waste hauling
companies are very competitive. Hotels/motels have been
successful in negotiating reasonable charges with waste
hauling and processing companies. (See worksheet selecting
materials)
Are there charges for processing the recyclable materials?
Process charges depend on the processor. Some charge fees
to help cover their overhead. Generally processors who
receive recyclable materials at no cost to them, do not
charge for processing the recyclable materials.
Does the processor provide the hotel with the weight of
recyclable materials? Material weights are of value in
calculating the savings from the hotel's recycling
program. Some processors estimate weights, while others
weigh the materials. Weight receipts can. help the hotel
in record keeping for recycling materials payment
purposes. It can also be used in reporting and publicizing
the hotel's recycling program accomplishments. Request
that the material's weight receipts be delivered or mailed
to you on the same day the materials are received for
processing.
WORKSHEET 8 Selecting Intermediate Processor or Materials
Recovery Facility (Vis. 8)
WORKSHEET 9 Selecting Materials Transportation (Vis. 9)
PART 4 MAKING IT WORK!
The Central Recycling Center
The Central Recycling Center (CRC) is an area where
recyclable materials are stored at the hotel facility
until transported to a processor.
Location of the CRC
Consideration should be given to the location of the CRC.
For convenience, locate it outside the hotel near an
employee service exit. Easy access to the container(s) is
needed for vehicles picking up and transporting the
materials. The CRC is usually located outside the hotel
because of the amount of space required for containers.
Odors, insects, and rodents are also reasons for locating
CRCs outside. The hotel's design, space limitations, and
vehicle access may make it impossible to locate CRCs
conveniently.
Visibility of the CRC is a concern for some hotel
management. They are concerned that the visibility of
recycling equipment and stored materials might create an
undesirable appearance for the guests. However, guests are
expressing interest in preserving the environment and
recycling is one way for the hotel to create a positive
environmental image. Well-kept CRCs that are visible to
guests may create a positive image for the hotel.
Hotels concerned about CRC's visibility can conceal the
area with fences, walls, and landscaping. Local zoning
ordinances may regulate the CRC location.
Central Recycling Center Equipment
Research the available options before deciding the
equipment needs of your recycling program. The decision
should be made by the hotel's Management and not by waste
haulers, county or city government, or companies who
transport recyclable materials.
Equipment is needed in the CRC to prepare materials and
store them until they are hauled to the recycling
materials processor. Equipment usually found in the CRC
includes large storage containers such as a recycling
roll-off containers and portable 92 gallon containers or
dumpsters. Often a baler is needed for cardboard. A large
trash container for disposing of non recyclables should
also be placed in the CRC. If a trash container is not
available, non-recyclables may be thrown into recycling
containers or on the ground.
Recycling Roll-off Containers
Large compartmentalized recycling roll-off containers are
very popular containers for hotel CRCs. The unit may be
compartmentalized for sorted recyclables or simply one
large compartment for commingled materials. These
recycling units are covered and have conveniently located
sliding doors. They are available in different sizes but a
word of CAUTION! To reduce the number of times the
container is hauled and/or emptied at the processor,
select a container as large as space permits. If the hotel
is paying for each container pull and processing fees, the
savings from recycling is reduced when containers are
pulled half full.
Recycling roll-off containers are available through waste
hauling companies and some intermediate processors.
Recycling containers may be purchased or leased. A
container worksheet(Vis. 10)
Recycling Dumpsters
Dumpster waste containers are commonly used at smaller
hotel/motel properties for storage of waste. On many
properties they are now being used for storing specific
recyclable materials such as newspaper, cardboard, and
office paper. The dumpster container is not big enough for
large hotels and will require more frequent emptying, thus
increasing the cost of recycling.
A recycling dumpster is emptied into a larger container on
the back of a truck. The dumpster is not removed from the
hotel. Drivers may pick up materials from several
locations and dump them into the same container before
hauling to the processor or mill. This creates a question
as to how the weights are determined. Weights of
recyclables in dumpsters are usually estimates. Materials
are not weighed before dumping into the large container on
the truck. If the hotel expects payment for recyclable
materials, ask how the weights are determined.
If dumpster containers are used for collection of
recyclable and waste materials, the recycling dumpster
needs to be painted a different color and labeled to
prevent trash/waste materials being thrown into the
recycling container. Dumpster recycling containers may be
provided at no cost or may be leased or purchased from a
waste hauler or intermediate processor.
Portable Storage Containers
Large 92-gallon portable rolling containers are the third
type of container used in CRCs for collecting and storing
materials. These containers are convenient for small
hotels/motels that recycle only a few items such as
aluminum cans and office paper. Individual containers have
limitations on transportation and storage capacity. This
smaller type container is usually transported by a
recycling company or by a hotel vehicle.
Before making a final decision on storage containers for
the hotel's CRC, compare cost benefits of container
leasing and purchasing
Other areas of consideration are listed below:
Contracts. Sign a short-term contract (one to three
months) for leasing recycling containers, processing, and
hauling services. This will Give the hotel time to
evaluate the services of the hauler and processor and test
the storage containers. If the service received from a
hauler or processor is unsatisfactory, it is easier to
switch at the end of a contract.
Do not combine waste hauling and recycling contracts. If
one of the services is satisfactory but the other is not,
it is difficult to cancel the contract. Combining
contracts is becoming a common contract practice of many
waste haulers. The expectations and service is not the
same for recycling and trash removal. Recycling should not
be connected with a franchised waste removal contract. The
hotel should be free to stop and start a recycling service
as desired. Recyclable materials are commodities and the
hotel should be free to choose their method of recycling.
Container Color. Does the hotel have a choice of container
color? Some hotel managers want the containers to blend
with the hotel structure and others are painting the
containers the color of their hotels.
Container Repairs. Who is responsible for container
repairs? Include repair responsibility in the contract.
Container Cleaning. How often is the roll-off cleaned? In
the summer time, it is recommended that large roll-off
units be cleaned monthly to reduce odors. Where is the
unit cleaned? Do not permit it to be cleaned at the hotel.
There will be debris and cleaning chemicals which will be
dumped on the pavement or grass at the hotel.
Hotel Identification on the Recycling Roll-off. Are hotel
names and logos permitted on rented containers? Example:
The Holiday Inn hotel in Orlando, Florida painted the
Holiday Inn logo and words "Holiday Inn Recycles" across
the front and back of their recycling roll-off. When the
roll-off was hauled to the processor, the hotel received
phone calls from people commenting on their recycling
efforts.
Collection Efficiency. Will the hauler work to insure
efficient collection by monitoring storage volumes and
adjust collection, if needed?
WORKSHEET Container Order (Vis. 10)
Developing the Recycling Materials Flow Plans
The first step in developing the recycling materials flow
plan is to review the hotel's floor plan. Locate the
storage spaces, hallways, equipment placement, and
employee traffic patterns in all departments. From this
information, decisions can be made on collection and
storage container placement and on the movement of
recyclables through the hotel. The movement paths should
be the ones with the least amount of interference with
hotel guests and employee activities.
Placing Recycling Collection Containers
Involve employees in deciding where the recycling
collection containers will be located in their work areas.
For greater employee participation in the recycling
program, locate collection containers in or near work
areas where recyclables are generated. This method is
called collecting at the source or point of waste
generation. For example, place a recycling collection
container near the can opener in the kitchen. When cans
are opened and emptied they can easily be placed in the
appropriate collection containers.
Hotel design, equipment placement, and traffic patterns
may prevent the containers from being placed in convenient
locations. If this is the case, place the containers as
close to the work area as possible.
To reduce the labor costs of recycling, plan to handle
recycling materials as few times as possible. However, in
areas such as offices there is a need for intermediate
collection centers. Paper collection should begin at each
desk or work station. The full desk containers are then
emptied into intermediate collection containers that are
located near the work area. At the end of the day or when
the larger storage containers are full, they are emptied
at the hotel's Central Recycling Center (CRC).
Designing the Materials Flow Plan
Once sites for recycling containers have been identified
and storage containers selected, establish a materials
flow plan. Developing a materials flow plan is a very
important step in setting up the recycling program. The
plan establishes which materials are to be recycled at
specific locations, where materials are to be stored, the
collection containers to be used, which employees do the
tasks, and the direction the materials are to be moved
through the property.
By completing materials flow plan worksheets for every
department and marking the directions the materials are
moved on a property floor plan, it is easy to identify and
prevent traffic problems with guests and employees. The
materials flow plan should start at the point where the
recyclables are generated and continue until the materials
are placed in the container(s) in the CRC. A recycling
materials flow plan worksheet and associated flow process
examples are on pages 25, 26, and 27.
Selecting Recycling Containers
After the material collection points have been identified,
it is time to choose the smaller, movable containers where
recyclables are first collected and stored. Match the
containers to materials to be collected and to the
identified collection and storage spaces throughout the
property. Consider color coding the containers for
specific recyclable materials.
Select recycling containers:
- made from durable, commercial weight materials designed
to hold heavy recyclables (Recycling, collection, and
storage containers that are going to be used for glass
to be exceptionally durable.)
- made from recycled and recyclable materials
- with solid bottoms to prevent spillage and stains on
floors and carpets
- made from washable materials
- with durable wheel systems (Consider how much weight the
wheel system will support.)
- with non-mar wheels if carts are to be rolled over
carpet, marble, or other special floor coverings
- that are transportable and easy to empty into storage
containers at the CRC.
Materials Processing Equipment
Most hotel recycling programs are designed to collect and
store recyclable materials until the materials are
transported to a processor. However, if storage space is
limited or transportation fees are high, materials may
need to be processed at the hotel to minimize the space
required to store them. Materials processing, except for
cardboard, is not recommended in hotel recycling programs.
A baler is the most frequently used recycling processing
equipment in hotel/motel recycling programs. The massive
amount of cardboard produced in hotel/motel operations
quickly fills recycling roll-offs and dumpsters if a baler
is not used.
Baled cardboard may be purchased by paper mills and some
processors. In some cases mills and/or processors will
pick up clean baled cardboard at the hotel and transport
it to the mill at no cost to the hotel. In certain cases
processors/haulers will pay for collected cardboard and
charge a transportation fee. In either scenario, the hotel
receives a waste disposal cost savings. From an economic
standpoint, purchasing a baler is a wise decision for most
hotels. Baling cardboard reduces the number of times the
recycling roll-off or recycling dumpster must be emptied.
Recycling baled cardboard provides a quick return on the
investment in a baler. The savings from recycling baled
cardboard has paid for balers in many locations.
Equipment issues:
The following items should be analyzed when considering
the use of processing equipment:
The amount of time required to process materials and the
number of employees involved. When a hotel uses their
employees to operate processing equipment, such as
crushers or balers, they are doing work that is usually
done by a processor.
Are labor and liability costs increased because of
operating, recycling processing equipment?
Is space available for the equipment and storage of
processed materials?
The cost to purchase, install, and maintain the equipment.
Is there a financial benefit for processing materials at
the site? If yes, evaluate if it covers the extra labor,
liability, equipment cost, and maintenance.
Consider safety features of all equipment. Safety is one
of the most important considerations when shopping for
recycling equipment. Take the time to verify that the
equipment complies with the American National Standards
Institute's safety requirements. A worksheet for baler
selection (Vis. 11).
WORKSHEET Recycling Materials Flow Plan (Vis. 12)
Example Flow Process Sheet
Aluminum Recycling Process*
Color Code: Red
Materials Used:
1. Nine 32-gallon plastic trash containers with lids
2. Heavy duty plastic bags
3. Signs/labels
Set-Up:
1. Cut hole in each lid just large enough for can.
2. Label each container with Aluminum Can Recycling.
3. Place plastic bag in each container as needed.
4. Locate plastic trash containers around pool side, snack
bar, Carolina Cafe, copier room, banquet hallway, and
hotel restaurant for convenience of disposal.
Process:
1. Guests and associates are responsible for voluntary
recycling.
2. Plastic bags will be picked-up as needed on a daily
basis by a pool side staff, others as designated.
3. Filled plastic bags will be taken to loading dock next
to purchasing.
4. Purchasing staff will take to recycling center in Port
Royal Plaza.
5. Environmental Committee to educate and coach all
associates about process via displays.
6. Aluminum Recycling subcommittee to
track results.
*Example Aluminum Flow Process Sheet, The Westin Resort,
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Example Flow Process Sheet
Glass Recycling Process*
Color Code: White, Green, & Brown
Materials Used:
1. Color coded Barrels
White - clear
Green - green
Brown - brown
2. Barrel Liners
Purchase resistant bags with drawstrings
3. Sign/Labels
4. Main collection bin supplied by Lowcountry Recycling,
Set-Up:
1. Location of recycling areas
Two sets in the banquet hallway
One set in main kitchen close to stewarding
One set in Carolina Cafe back station
2. A set of three barrels placed in each location
3. Corresponding identification signs above each location
White -clear
Green - green
Brown - brown
One recycling symbol above barrel signs
4. Put liner (bag) in barrels
Process:
1. Dispose of glass bottles in proper barrel.
2. Stewarding to empty full barrel by taking sealed bag of
bottles to main collection bin at side entrance of
hotel.
3. Stewarding to replace barrel liner bag.
4. Lowcountry Recycling picks up glass 1x/week in main
bin.
5. Environmental Committee to educate and coach all
associates about process via displays.
6. Glass Recycling subcommittee to track results.
*Example Glass Flow Process Sheet, The Westin Resort,
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
WORKSHEET Selecting a Baler or Crusher (Vis. 11)
Materials Collection and Preparation
For a successful hotel recycling program, recycling
materials collection and preparation must become the
responsibility of every employee in the hotel. The method
of materials collection and preparation depends on the
degree of preparation required by the processor.
A small amount of preparation is required by all
processors. It is easier and less time consuming to
prepare the recyclables at the source. As products are
used or containers are emptied, they are placed in
specific recycling collection containers. This takes no
more time or effort than throwing the materials into the
trash.
When evaluating how to collect and where to store
recyclables, inquire about local codes for storing paper
and other materials at intermediate and central recycling
centers.
There are two ways of storing recyclables in hotels. The
choice depends on the requirements of the processor who is
handling the hotel's recyclable materials.
- Sorted Materials
In a sorted materials recycling program, materials are
sorted by type. Steel, aluminum, plastic, paper, and glass
are each stored in separate recycling containers. These
materials may be sorted further. For example, glass is
sorted by color into clear, brown, and green.
- Commingled Materials
In a commingled recycling program, all the recyclable
materials are stored together. Office paper is usually an
exception. It must be kept clean and dry, so it is stored
separately. The materials are taken to a materials
recovery facility (MRF) where they are sorted and
processed.
Before employees begin collecting materials and placing
them in recycling containers, provide training on
materials preparation procedures. Even if the materials go
to a MRF, some sorting and preparation is required. Check
with your processor or MRF as to the degree of preparation
and sorting of recycled materials required before
beginning the employee training program. Request that the
processor assist with the initial training for the
Employee Recycling Team.
Recycling Guidelines
The following recycling guidelines provide basic recycling
information regarding materials preparation. However,
materials preparation may be slightly different with each
processor, so consult your processor before beginning an
employee training program.
Paper
Each department in the hotel generates recyclable office
paper. Most of the recyclable paper is computer, white
ledger, copy paper, letterhead, and envelopes. Incoming
mail is another source of recyclable paper. Convention
hotels have boxes of printed brochures and handout
materials left by convention attendees and exhibitors.
Most of these materials are recyclable with office paper.
Check with your processor about accepting convention
flyers and boxed materials.
Recycle: Computer and photocopy paper, writing and typing
paper, envelopes, flip charts, and convention papers.
Preparation: To obtain maximum value for office paper,
separate it into different categories. Common separations
include green bar computer, white ledger, and colored
ledger paper. Check with the processor on the sorting of
colors and paper types. Office paper is valuable, and its
value is highest when sorted by types. Remove adhesive
labels and binding coils. Place clean, dry papers in
containers.
Items Not Accepted. Waxed paper, used paper towels,
napkins, plates and cups, carbon paper, envelopes with
plastic windows, food wrappers, adhesive tape, magazines,
fax glossy paper, rubber bands, Post-It Notes, mailing
labels, and plastic,
NOTE: Paper recycling is a dynamic industry. Some
recycling processors can accept envelopes with plastic
windows, Post-It Notes and other paper in the mixed-paper
category. In addition, several buyers are looking for
magazines. Your office may be able to institute a high-
value office paper sort and a lower grade mixed-paper
sort. Check with your local processor to determine your
available local options.
Metals
Aluminum and steel cans are abundant in hotels and motels.
Soft drink and juice machines are located throughout most
properties. Steel cans are generated in the kitchens and
food preparation areas.
Recycle: Aluminum beverage cans, steel food cans, aerosol
cans, and paint cans. Metal pipes, white goods (air
conditioning., units, refrigeration, etc.) motors,
aluminum window frames, and lawn furniture are recyclable
but need special arrangements with processor. Check with
your local processor to make sure you are supplying only
items that can be recycled.
Preparation: Empty and rinse cans to remove food residue.
Remove both ends of large steel cans and flatten them to
reduce size. Dry empty paint cans. Empty aerosol cans and
dispose of the top.
Items Not Accepted: Pesticide cans, power tools,
batteries, silverware/flatware, sterno fuel cans, cans
with liquid or food in them, and cooking utensils.
Glass
Glass is primarily generated in the Food and Beverage
Department. A small amount of glass may be generated from
service bars in guest rooms. Most of the glass is
generated from beer, wine, liquor, and food containers.
Some processors require that glass be sorted by color -
clear, brown, and green. Processors with MRFs accept glass
that is commingled. The glass is then color sorted by the
processor.
Recycle: Glass containers used for juice, water, soft
drinks, food, beer, wine, and liquor.
Preparation: Empty containers; rinse containers to remove
food residue; sort the glass by color if required by the
processor; remove metal bottle collars and lids; and
remove plastic safety seals. Do not break glass when
collecting it. Broken commingled glass is very difficult
to sort.
Items Not Accepted: Dishes and drinking glasses, container
lids, baking dishes, mirrors, light bulbs, window glass,
crystal, ceramics, television tubes, containers still
containing food, and broken glass.
Plastic
Recyclable plastic is abundant in the hotel. Plastic
containers are found in the Food and Beverage,
Housekeeping, and Engineering Departments. Guests often
leave behind plastic bottles in guest rooms.
The Society of Plastics Industry (SPI) has developed a
standard identification system which identifies the
different kinds of plastic resins. This helps plastic
processors recover different kinds of plastic materials.
The coding system has a recycling triangle with numbers 1-
7 which identifies the resin. Originally only plastic
bottles were coded, however, now most plastic containers
have the recycling symbol on the bottom. Check with your
processors as to the type of plastics they will accept.
The most often recycled plastic types are PET (Code 1) and
HDPE (Code 2).
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Code 1, is made from a
strong, lightweight form of clear polyester material. PET
is used for soft drink bottles, liquor bottles, and other
food and non-food containers.
High Density Polyethylene (IIDPE) Code 2, is used to
produce plastic bottles for household, automotive,
personal care, assorted food products, and cleaning
supplies. Examples include milk, water, and laundry
detergent bottles.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Code 3, commonly used for
"blister" packaging.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Code 4, examples include
plastic trash bags, bread and bun wraps, and plastic
sleeves for cups and lids.
Polypropylene (PP) Code 5, used for packaging such as
yogurt containers, shampoo bottles, and margarine tubs.
Polystyrene (PS) Code 6, is used for making food service
containers such as styrofoam cups, food trays, and
clamshell packaging. PS products are recyclable; however,
it is difficult to find a processor who will accept them.
Other, Code 7, includes multi layer resins. It can include
items manufactured using a combination of the plastics
listed above.
Recycle: Plastic bottles used for juice, water, soft
drinks, and food; soap and detergent containers; spice and
flavoring containers; polystyrene cups and packing
materials; and heat shrink wrap.
Preparation: Empty and rinse containers to remove residue.
Remove lids and/or caps.
Items Not Accepted. Milk machine plastic bags, bottle
caps, flower pots, and containers used for motor oil or
gasoline.
Part 5 The Next Step
Source Reduction
As you initiate your recycling program with a feasibility
audit, it is appropriate to look for ways to avoid
generating trash in the first place. Source reduction
means avoiding the generation of waste by using less
material, using supplies and equipment more efficiently,
and buying products that are more durable, easily
repairable, or recyclable.
In order for source reduction to work, employees and
management must cooperate and communicate effectively. The
following ideas are offered as examples which may be
implemented at your location. With active participation of
hotel management and staff, many other ideas will come
forward.
Writing/Printing Paper
- Establish a company-wide double-sided copying policy,
and be sure future copiers purchased by your company
have double-sided capability.
- Reuse envelopes or use two-way (send-'n-return)
envelopes.
- Keep mailing lists current to avoid duplication.
- Make scratch pads from used paper. Circulate (rather
than copy) memos, documents, periodicals, and reports.
- Reduce the amount of advertising mail you receive by
writing to the Direct Marketing Association Mail
Preference Service, P. 0. Box.9008, Farmingdale, NY
11735-9008, and ask that your business be eliminated
from mailing lists.
- Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
- Put company bulletins on voice or electronic mail or
post on a central bulletin board.
- Save documents on hard drives and/or floppy disks
instead of making paper copies.
- Use central files to reduce the number of hard copies
your company retains.
- Proof documents on the computer screen before printing.
- Eliminate unnecessary reports.
- Donate old magazines and journals to hospitals, clinics,
or libraries, or recycle with paper if your processor
will accept them.
Packaging
- Order merchandise in bulk.
- Purchase products with minimum packaging and/or in
concentrated form.
- Work with suppliers to minimize the packaging used to
protect their products.
- Establish a system for returning cardboard boxes and
foam peanuts to suppliers for reuse.
- Request that deliveries be shipped in returnable and/or
recyclable containers.
- Minimize the packaging used for your products.
- Use reusable and/or recyclable containers for shipping
your products.
- Repair and reuse pallets or return them to your
supplier.
- Reuse newspaper and shredded paper for packaging.
- Reuse foam packing peanuts, bubblewrap, and cardboard
boxes, or donate to another organization.
Equipment
- Rent equipment that is used only occasionally.
- Reuse worn out tires for landscaping, swings, etc.
- Purchase remanufactured office equipment.
- Establish a regular maintenance routine to prolong the
life of equipment such as copiers, computers, and heavy
tools.
- Use rechargeable batteries where practical.
- Install reusable furnace and air conditioner filters.
- Reclaim usable parts from old equipment.
- Recharge fax and printer cartridges or return them to
the suppliers for remanufacture.
- Sell or give old furniture and equipment to other
businesses, local charitable organizations, or
employees.
Organic Waste
- Compost yard trimmings or ask your landscape contractor
to compost them.
- If unable to compost on site, investigate participating
in a municipal composting program.
- Choose a landscape design that needs low maintenance.
- Use a worm bin to convert non-fatty food wastes into
potting soil.
- Use a mulching lawnmower and leave grass clippings on
the lawn.
Inventory/Purchasing
- Implement an improved system (such as systems based on
optical scanners) to provide more precise control over
supplies.
- Avoid ordering excess supplies that may never be used. -
- Advertise surplus and reusable waste items through a
materials exchange.
- Set up an area in your business for employees to
exchange used items.
- Donate surplus products to food banks, if still edible.
- Substitute less toxic or nontoxic products for products
such as inks, paints, and cleaning solvents.
- Use products that promote waste reduction (products that
are more durable, of higher quality, recyclable,
reusable).
- Where appropriate, order supplies in bulk to reduce
excess packaging.
Buying Recycled Products
The term "recycled product" describes a product produced
in whole or in part from secondary material recovered from
pre-consumer or post-consumer waste. "Recycled product"
may also refer to a product that has been rebuilt, such as
a rebuilt engine.
The overall goal of a "Buy Recycled" program is to "close-
the-loop" by demonstrating that a demand exists for
recycled products. This provides an incentive for
manufacturers to make investments in new recycling
equipment. Buying recycled content materials is not only a
positive reinforcement for recycling, but a key positive
reinforcement for staff involved in recycling.
South Carolina law encourages state government to include
a twenty five percent preference for recycled products
subject to availability. Additionally, a number of local
governments and regional organizations in South Carolina
have instituted buying policies that favor recycled
products. At the national level, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has published purchasing
guidelines for five products: recycled paper and paper
products, rerefined oil, retread tires, building
insulation, and cement and concrete made with fly ash.
Businesses and non-profits in South Carolina also are
beginning to use recycled products, but much more remains
to be done.
In addition to the material contained in this circular,
two additional sources of information are the Office of
Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling and the Center for
Waste Minimization at the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control (1-800-768-7348).
The following pages outline the steps necessary to
implement a Buy Recycled program.
How to Implement a Recycled Product Purchasing Program
1. Make a Commitment to Buy: Establish a policy to buy
recycled products. This commitment will provide
leadership to users. It shows manufacturers and
suppliers that a consistent, long-term demand exists.
2. Review Purchasing Specifications: Review existing
specifications to eliminate prohibitions or limitations
against recycled products. This includes obvious
clauses such as virgin products only and more subtle
specifications such as brightness levels of paper.
3. Use Common Definitions and Percentages: Organizations
should use existing minimum content standards and
definitions. Manufacturers cannot supply different
products for every organization. Standard
specifications enable manufacturers to offer commodity
items at a lower cost than specialty items.
4. Buy a Variety of Recycled Products: Even though paper
makes up the largest portion of the waste stream,
buying recycled paper alone is not enough. Consider
buying these recycled products:
Paper: letterheads, copy paper, corrugated cardboard,
newsprint, files/folders, packaging, adding machine tape,
cash register tape, food service products, pads, fax
paper, bond offset & mimeo, printing papers, envelopes.
Plastics: garbage bags, brooms, carpets, buckets/trash
cans, collection containers, lumber, mats, office
supplies, parking stops, urinal screens, wall partitions.
Rubber: retread tires, floor mats, floor tiles.
Other: uniforms, auto parts, rerefined oil, compost,
wiping cloths.
Also consider using recycling services such as tire
retreading and oil recycling companies.
5. Test Products: Test recycled products to determine how
they work on certain equipment and for particular end use
before purchasing large amounts. Consider blind tests of
products to avoid bias against recycled products.
6. Use a Phase-In Approach: It is wise to phase-in the use
of recycled products so that users can adjust to the
program and manufacturers can make capital investments
to produce recycled products.
7. Offer Price Incentives: Recycled products may be more
expensive than virgin products. This may be due to the
small number of manufacturers producing recycled
products or changing economic conditions. The following
three measures have been used by public/organizations
to fulfill commitments to buy recycled products:
a. Offer a small price preference to suppliers (allow
recycled products to be five to ten percent more
expensive).
b. Consider life-cycle costing (where factors such as
disposal costs are factored into the initial price).
c. Establish set-asides (where a certain percentage of
purchases are reserved for recycled products.)
Many public sector organizations have adopted price
incentives as an investment in market development. Some
private sector organizations have simply demanded that
suppliers provide materials with recycled content.
Depending upon the size of the organization, negotiations
often lead to the securing of recycled content materials
at no additional expense when compared to all virgin
content materials.
8. Foster Cooperation Among Manufacturers, Vendors and
Users: Organizations must actively solicit bids from
manufacturers and vendors of recycled products and
widely publicize the bids. Manufacturers and vendors
must be encouraged to provide a wide range of products
and let users know about them.
9. Participate in Cooperative Purchasing: Organizations
should join together to buy recycled products.
Cooperative purchases expand the volume purchased,
reduce unit costs, help ensure availability, and
establish common specifications.
10.Waste Reduction and Recyclability: In addition to
buying recycled products, organizations should buy
recyclable products.
11.Educate Employees: Encourage your employees to request
recycled products for their office product needs.
12.Keep Records: Keep good records on the recycled
products you buy, their costs, and performance.
13.Publicize Your Efforts: Provide information on the
amount of recycled products purchased. This will
encourage enthusiasm and increased participation in the
program. It may encourage other organizations to
establish similar efforts.
Implementation Schedules For Year One (Vis. 13)
PART 6 - EVALUATION
Evaluation is an ongoing process that will measure your
success and help determine corrections needed in planning.
It is useful to develop both formal and informal measures
of program success. While it is beyond the scope of this
manual to go into detail in evaluation techniques, use the
following as a guide to the types and sources of
information which need to be gathered in the evaluation
process.
The recycling team is a key source of feedback. They
should be operating in an environment where their comments
are heard and acted upon. They will be a valuable resource
in helping gather information from other sources also.
The hotel staff are a key source of information. By having
an open team approach, valuable feedback will be derived.
Hotel staff are key in implementing plans. They are on the
"frontlines" of recycling. Their input and suggestions for
improvement are critical to implementation of a good plan.
Guests of the hotel are a key source of information. Both
formal and informal methods to gauge their attitudes are
needed. They are the ultimate "boss". It pays to find out
what they think. Not only can their attitudes be reflected
in future actions, but a positive statement is made by
asking the customer, "What can we do better?"
How Much Have We Recycled?
One measure of evaluation is economic impact. Accounting
figures can be used to compare the reduced cost of solid
waste disposal with the cost of recycling. Hopefully the
hotel will realize a reduction in out-of-pocket costs. It
is important to also incorporate the intangible or
advertising value associated with recycling when
conducting the economic analysis.
Another measure of program success is the percent of the
solid waste stream which has been diverted from the
landfill. This measure requires that the total weight of
recyclables and solid waste which is being land filled are
both known. The amount of material being recycled can then
be expressed as a percentage of the total solid waste
stream generated by the property.
It will be a source of pride and accomplishment to be able
to accurately say what percent of solid waste generated
was diverted from the landfill by recycling. In order to
do this accurate records must be maintained. If your waste
and recycling processors provide weight figures, then it
is simply a matter of analyzing the existing data. If
weights are not available, then the data in Figure 2 , can
be used to estimate weights.
Volume to Weight Conversion For Selected Items
(Vis. 14)Pt1
(Vis. 15)Pt2
References and Guides
A Business Guide for Reducing Waste, EPA/530-K-92-004, U.
S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste, 401 M. Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, 713-941-4452.
Buy Recycled Guide, National Recycling Coalition, Inc.,
1101-30th Street NW, Suite 305, Washington, DC 20007, 202-
625-6406; Fax: 202-625-6409.
Decision Makers Guide To Solid Waste Management, EPA/530-
SW-89-072, U. S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste, 401 M Street
SW, Washington, DC 20460, 713-941-4452.
Energy Efficiency For Florida's Hospitality Industry,
Florida Energy Extension Service, P. 0. Box 110940,
Gainesville, FL 32611, 904-392-1511; Fax: 904-392-9033.
Food For Thought, San Francisco Restaurants' Guide to
Waste Reduction and Recycling, San Francisco Recycling
Program, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, 4145
Market Street, #401, San Francisco, CA 94103, 415-554-
3400.
Guide to Recycling Products for Consumers and Small
Business, Pennsylvania Resources Council, P. 0. Box 88,
Media, PA 19063, 215-565-9131.
How Businesses Are Saving Money by Reducing Waste,
EPA/530-K-92-005, U. S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, EPA/RCRA Hotline 1-800-
424-9346.
How to Organize a Hotel/Motel Recycling Program, Townsend,
J. and J.F.K. Earle, Ph.D., PE. Florida Energy Extension
Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, 904-392-1511
or 904-392-1945.
Making Less Garbage: A Planning Guide For Communities,
Fishbein, B. K. and C. Gerlb. INFORM, Inc., 120 Wall
Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10005, 212-361-2400; Fax
212-3612412.
Recycling Guide For Hotels and Motels, publication and
video, available from Dr. Thomas McCall, Instructional
Materials Service, 101 Rolfs Hall, University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32611-0131, 904-392-0502; Fax: 904-392-
9585.
Recycled Products Guide, P. 0. Box 577, Ogdensburg, NY
13669, 1-800-267-0707. Over 400 recycled product
classifications and 2600 cross-referenced listings;
published twice yearly.
Waste in the Workplace, Keep American Beautiful, Inc., 9
W. Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06902, 203-323-8987.
Business Recycling Manual, 1991, over 202 pages, compiled
for the Westchester County Association, by Recourse
Systems, Inc. and INFORM, Inc., 120 Wall Street, 16th
Floor, New York, NY 10005, 212-361-2400; Fax 212-361-2412,
$85.
How to Recycle Waste Paper, 1985, 20 pages, free, American
Institute, Paper Recycling Committee, 260 Madison Avenue,
New York, NY 10016.
Developing an Office Paper Recycling Program, 1990, 30
pages, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority,
Recycling Division, 1299 Harrisburg Pike, P. 0. Box 4425,
Lancaster, PA 17604.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Manual for Commercial,
Industrial, and Institutional Operations, 1990, 44 pages,
Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority,
Recycling Division, 1299 Harrisburg Pike, P. 0. Box 4425,
Lancaster, PA 17604.
A Business Guide to Office Paper Recycling, 1990, 13
pages, Fairfax County Waste Reduction and Recycling
Program, 3930 Pender Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Office and Corrugated Paper Recycling Guide for the
Business Community, 1989, 17 pages, free, published by the
Westchester County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste
Division, White Plains, NY 10601.
Office Paper Recycling: A Great Idea, 1990, free, Town of
Babylon Recycling Program, Department of Environmental
Control, 281 Phelps Lane, North Babylon, NY 11703.
Office Paper Recycling ...it makes dollars and sense!
1990, 10 pages, free, Town of Islip, Department of
Environmental Control, 401 Main Street, Islip, NY 11751.
Your Office Paper Recycling Guide, 15 pages, San Francisco
Recycling Division, Solid Waste Management Program, City
of. San Francisco, City Hall, Room 271, San Francisco, CA
94102.
Buy Recycled: Your Practical Guide to the Environmentally
Responsible Office, 1990, 40 pages, Services Marketing
Group, 8 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL
60603.
How to Start a Successful Office Recycling Program, 14
pages, Recycling Receptacles, Inc., 905 Murray Road, East
Hanover, NJ 07936.
Office Paper Recycling: A Community Recycling Handbook,
1987, 25 pages, Metropolitan Service District, 2000 S. W.
First Avenue, Portland, OR 97201-5398.
Handbook for Reduction and Recycling of Commercial Solid
Waste, 1988, 49 pages, free, Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management, 83 Park Street, Providence, RI
029031037.
Master Waste Educator Program, Office for Solid Waste
Education, 222 McAdams Hall, Clemson University, Clemson,
SC 29634-0357, 803-656-4075.
Reducing Hazardous Products in the Home, WML1, December
1992, Cooperative Extension Service, Room 82 Poole Ag.
Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0311, 803-
6563261.
Disposal of Hazardous Household Waste, WML2, December
1992, Cooperative Extension Service, Room 82 Poole Ag.
Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0311, 803-
6563261.
Enviroshopping: Shopping With Concern For The Environment,
WML3, December 1992, Cooperative Extension Service, Room
82 Poole Ag. Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
29634-0311, 803-656-3261.
Recycling Yard Wastes: Home Composting, Information
Leaflet 48, October 199 1, Cooperative Extension Service,
Room 82 Poole Ag. Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
296340311, 803-656-3261.
Recycle Your Grass Clippings, Information Leaflet 49,
September 1992, Cooperative Extension Service, Room 82
Poole Ag. Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-
0311, 803656-3261.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base TD on 09/30/03.
Data base TD was last revised on 06/06/02.
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