Recycling is never as easy as it sounds. When you’re at home, and about to dispose of an item, it’s not uncommon to be unsure if it goes in the bin or if it’s suitable for recycling. This separation process only becomes more complicated when it comes to business waste management.

Yet separating out recyclable items from non-recyclable ones has become increasingly important for companies. Government regulations, financial incentives, and simply helping the environment are many reasons for a business to go green.

However, if you’re struggling to implement a recycling system, below are some important separation methods to keep in mind.

Store in suitable areas

All recycling programs need to start with a clear plan in place. That begins by having an area dedicated to storing your recyclable materials. This should include multiple bins with clear labels indicating what should be added. For instance, a green label could state the bin is for cardboard, while a red label might be for hazardous waste.

Separating recyclable materials from each other is imperative for your recycling efforts. In the case of separating plastics, you also need to divide this material according to its type and grade. For instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has to be separated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) before it is sent to a processing center.

Compact it down

If you’re dealing with a substantial amount of waste, recycling balers can play a large role in your efforts. You’d expect us to say that, admittedly, but it’s true! By compacting materials into bales, it’s much easier to store and transport your recyclable waste.

This is advantageous for a number of reasons. It saves space and keeps your work environment free from clutter. It helps to save money by transferring larger volumes of recyclable materials in one go, which reduces transportation and waste disposal costs. You can even sell certain baled materials, which opens the door to an additional revenue stream for your company.  

Use the right technology

You might have a baler or transfer station compactor, but other forms of technology should be part of your recycling efforts. Even if your business only deals with a relatively small amount of waste materials, you can implement smart bins which detect the waste type and direct it to the correct container. This is useful for dividing everything from a plastic beverage bottle to tin cans.

For recycling companies and other large-scale organizations, conveyor belt systems, which shake, move, and separate contents based on their size, weight, and other measures, are utilized.

Educate your employees

Teaching your employees about your recycling scheme is imperative. They need to know about the separation techniques in place, the reasons why it is being done, and why they need to play their part.

Aside from teaching them about your recycling procedures, also promote an eco-friendlier workplace. This includes removing single-use plastics and going paperless. These small steps can make a significant difference and reduce the waste that your business produces.