Smart Business Recycling
 Reducing the amount of trash your business creates is the best way to
reduce monthly waste disposal costs and improve your company’s bottom
line. All waste reduction activities -- be they waste prevention, reuse,
or recycling practices -- will help you achieve your goal of reducing
the amount you pay for waste disposal and sending less trash to landfills.
Take advantage of the tips listed below to help you reduce your waste.
For additional information, contact the Washington County Cooperative
Recycling Program (503)846-8609.
Reduce/Reuse
- Work with suppliers to encourage them to deliver goods in reusable
containers that they take back. This practice reduces the need
for disposal or recycling on your part, and may save your suppliers
money, possibly reducing your costs.
- Ensure that mailing lists are kept current and send out only
one mailing per address. Specify “address correction requested” on
all mailings.
- Ask suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging used to ship
goods if it appears to be excessive and not necessary.
- Reuse foam packaging “peanuts” or contact the Metro
Recycling Information Hotline to find out ways to recycle it and
other items that aren’t collected by your hauler. (503) 234-3000.
- Donate salvageable display racks, damaged stock/inventory,
office equipment, and furniture to local charity organizations.
Visit NW Materialsmart to find out about ways to exchange materials
online.www.nwmaterialsmart.org/
- Metro has a Buyers Guide to Recycled Products on their website Ð use
the search feature to find suppliers that will provide everything
from office supplies to construction materials. www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=2728
- Reuse pallets, ask suppliers to take them back, or store them
onsite for collection.
- Send computer printer and photocopier toner cartridges back
to the vendor for remanufacturing.
- Cut down on the number of reports made. Wherever possible,
keep information stored on electronic media instead of printing
reports.
Getting started with recycling
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