Banking/Finance Industry
Waste Reduction and
Fact Sheet
This factsheet is intended to help the banking/finance industry establish waste reduction and
recycling programs. The factsheet includes waste reduction techniques, steps for starting a waste
reduction program, and recycling resources.
WHY WASTE REDUCTION IS GOOD FOR BANKING/FINANCE INDUSTRY
Positive Public Image - The public appreciates and patronizes businesses that make efforts to reduce
waste.
Free Publicity - Join Mecklenburg County’s Wipe Out Waste Business Recognition Program and receive free publicity in local media.
Cost Savings - Waste reduction techniques encourage reuse of materials/supplies rather than buying
new; reducing waste can reduce waste disposal service cost.
HOW TO REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE WASTE.
√ Check the boxes that apply to your business.
□ Use e-mail and maintain electronic (instead of paper) files
□ Establish a company website instead of printing brochures
□ Encourage the use of electronic banking practices by customers and within the banking industry
□ Print on an as-needed basis, instead of mass producing documents and forms, to avoid extra copies
□ Receive faxes through computers and print only as needed
□ Make double-sided copies whenever possible
□ Set up computer software for default two-sided printing
□ Reduce and double-side standard forms
□ Eliminate unnecessary reports
□ Update mailing lists to avoid duplication and returned mail
□ Route magazines, reports, and other documents
□ Install computer-based training for new employees instead of printing training manuals
□ Participate in a Commercial Mail Reduction Program
(contact Mecklenburg County Waste Reduction for assistance)
□ Reuse office supplies, such as file folders and manila envelopes, when possible; excess reusable
items can be centrally collected and stored for future use
□ Purchase recycled-content products
□ Order items in bulk quantities to reduce packaging
□ Convert scrap paper, outdated forms, and letterhead into memo pads
□ Purchase supplies with minimal or reusable packaging
□ Practice preventive maintenance on equipment to prolong service life
□ Sell or donate used equipment and furniture
□ Provide reusable cups for staff use, instead of disposables, and reduce use of other disposable
items where possible
□ Ask suppliers to take back unwanted packaging
□ Waste Reduction/Recycling at Work
□ Collect mixed office paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, and toner cartridges
for recycling
□ Purchase copiers and printers that are designed for high-volume double-sided copying
□ Purchase non-toxic multi-purpose and concentrated cleaning supplies
□ When renovating, purchase building materials made from recycled contents, such as ceiling tiles,
carpets, floor tiles, and wallboard
Business Recycling Info Line: 704-432-3200
Mecklenburg County Business & Commercial Recycling Source Separation Ordinance
Banking/Finance Industry
Waste Reduction and
Fact Sheet
Integrate waste reduction into normal work routines.
Example - Bank of America integrated its recycle program into its document destruction
program. Estimated savings are $400,000 a year. Practice waste reduction techniques to
reduce the amount of supplies that need to be purchased, thus reducing waste that needs
to be disposed or recycled. Example - Bank of America business units established supply
reuse areas. Band together with other businesses. Check with neighboring businesses that
could use or reuse your waste. Also, coordinated efforts can raise recyclable volumes enough
to make recycling services affordable. Example - Mecklenburg County business gives packing
peanuts to neighboring packaging and shipping business. Sort recyclables the first time they
are handled. Example - First Union National Bank employees segregate recyclable
paper from waste at their desks or work stations.
HOW TO START A WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAM
1. Commit to waste reduction. Commitment to waste reduction begins at the top.
Demonstrate management’s commitment with time and resources. Select a volunteer
Recycling Coordinator who is enthusiastic and has good communication and organization
skills. Also, use
volunteer “section leaders” who will help implement projects and take responsibility for
encouraging employees in their area(s) to practice waste reduction.
2. Know your solid waste. Determine the types and amounts of waste being discarded.
Determine which waste must be treated in a confidential manner. Examine contents of solid
waste containers, talk to janitorial staff/solid waste hauler about types of waste and their
percentages, or conduct a waste audit (contact Mecklenburg County Waste Reduction for
assistance).
3. Choose waste reduction techniques. Decide which waste reduction practices to implement,
based on priorities, such as largest portion of waste stream, ease of implementation,
convenience to employees, and cost effectiveness. Implement the practices in phases, so that
staff is not overwhelmed with changes. New ideas can be pilot-tested in a few areas to obtain
feedback before expanding practice throughout the office.
4. Start a recycling program.
a. Select a recycling vendor. Many recycling service options are available locally; services
depend on the types and volume of recyclables. Contact Mecklenburg County Waste
Reduction for lists of recycling vendors. Identify a recycling vendor who will accept your
recyclables, establish cost or price if selling recyclables, make transportation arrangements,
determine conditions that must be met as to quantities, acceptable levels of contamination, etc.
To reduce cost, bid multiple locations as one contract. If using a recycling vendor is still not a
cost-effective option, collect recyclables and transport them to a County Recycling Center.
Tip: If your waste disposal contract expires soon, contact solid waste haulers and recycling
vendors to negotiate waste disposal and recycling collection services. If the waste disposal
contract does not expire soon, contact your current waste disposal company and ask
about including recycling collection at a cost that could be adjusted as solid waste
quantities decrease.
b. Develop a recyclables recovery plan. Involve employees in deciding what collection
containers will be used, where they will be located, and where recyclables will be stored
before pickup by a recycling vendor or transport to a County Recycling Center. Locate
containers near areas where recyclables are generated – such as desk top collection
containers in individual offices, recycling bins or roll-carts next to copiers, and dumpsters
for cardboard outside the back door.
Business Recycling Info Line: 704-432-3200
Mecklenburg County Business & Commercial Recycling Source Separation Ordinance
Banking/Finance Industry
Waste Reduction and
Fact Sheet
c. Kick off the recycling program. Have a recycling program kick-off event to draw
attention to the program and show management support. At the event, announce goals
and clearly define everyone’s role. The kick-off event should be fun whether it’s simple
or elaborate; you might introduce slogans, unveil visual reminders, or initiate
kick-off contests.
5. Involve/train/motivate staff. Involve all employees in waste reduction. Seek their
ideas for waste reduction and recycling collection and storage. Include waste reduction
and recycling procedures in new employee orientation and training. Include ongoing
waste reduction training in staff meetings. Where you can, supply incentives that will
keep employees interested and motivated. Part of the money saved by reducing waste
could be donated to a charity of the employees’ choice or go toward a company
picnic. Existing employee service awards could incorporate waste reduction practices
as a criterion.
6. Monitor and evaluate. Monitor waste and recycling containers to determine what
items people are continuing to discard. If you experience low participation rates, find
confidential waste improperly disposed, or if wastes are frequently found in the
recyclables, review your program’s instructions with employees and ask for their
feedback. Focus reminders, contests, etc., on any problem areas. Stress management’s
commitment to reducing waste. Record the amount of recyclables recovered from the
waste stream and use this data to calculate cost savings and program efficiency. Also,
review purchase orders to identify opportunities to reduce supplies and purchase bulk
or concentrated materials.
Business Recycling Info Line: 704-432-3200
Mecklenburg County Business & Commercial Recycling Source Separation Ordinance