A Step by Step Guide to Paper and Cardboard Recycling

The Step by Step Guide to Paper and Cardboard Recycling will guide you through the following steps, to help you divert paper and cardboard from landfill.

• Step 1 Collect Baseline Data
  This will be gathered by carrying out a walk-through to help you identify what types and quantities of paper and cardboard waste are being generated and where and why they are being generated, and a waste audit to determine how much paper and cardboard waste is being sent to landfill.

• Step 2 Establish a System
  A waste reduction and diversion system needs to be convenient for staff, cleaners, and for the recycling contractor, in order to continue working. There are several case studies from Christchurch available to show what minimisation and diversion systems have been put in place by other businesses.

• Step 3 Engage a Recycling Contractor
  A variety of recycling firms should be contacted to enquire about their services and charges. They will need to be flexible with collection frequency as recycling volumes increase.

• Step 4 Get Staff Involved
  Education and involvement of your employees is the key to the success of your organisation’s waste/recycling programme. Providing each staff member with a flyer on the day of implementation to inform them of the new recycling facilities including what is recyclable, and how to recycle each item, is the first step.

Make sure that recycling and rubbish containers are clearly labelled to make it easy for staff to sort out their waste into the different waste streams. Targeted posters located around the workplace will also be useful to remind staff about what you’re aiming to achieve.

• Step 5 Monitor the Programme
  Monitoring involves measuring your resource use and waste generation over time to make sure your system is working and that you are making progress toward targets. You won’t be able to manage what you don’t measure.

Results need to be broadcast to all staff members to maintain enthusiasm for the programme and also to encourage participation from those that are not yet recycling.

• Step 6 Keep Staff Involved and Informed
  Ongoing and effective communication is the key to creating a culture among staff that is supportive of your waste reduction/recycling programme. It won’t happen overnight. Communication should be linked to monitoring systems (see Step 5) and provide feedback to staff.

Paper and Cardboard Recycling - A Step by Step Guide .pdf