Recycling At Your Business
A Guidebook
Mecklenburg County Government
Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA)
Department of Solid Waste and Recycling
Table of Contents
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................3
Why Should A Business Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? ........................................................3
Benefits of Implementing Waste Reduction and Recycling Measures................................3
What Can Mecklenburg County’s Business Recycling Programs do for
your business?....................................................................................................................3
Key Concepts In Business Recycling................................................................................................4
What is a Recycling Market? ................................................................................................4
Who are the Players in a Recycling Market? .......................................................................5
Can I Generate a Revenue Stream from Recycling?...........................................................5
Getting Started…….....…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..6
Step 1: Obtain Management Support……………………………………………………………………………..6
Step 2: Create a Waste Reduction Team…………………………………………………………………………6
Step 3: Analyze the Current Waste Stream to Identify Diversion Opportunities……………..7
Create a Waste Baseline..…………………………………………………………………………………..7
Execute Waste Assessments…………………….………….…………………………………………….7
Conducting a Waste Audit………………………...……………………………………………………….7
Conduct Site Assessment…………………………………..……………………………………………….7
Step 4: Assess Opportunities for Waste Reduction and Recycling……………………………….....8
Identify the Materials Your Program will Target………………………………………………….8
Step 5: Design the Program…………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Important Considerations When Designing a Program..…………………..….……………10
- Determine Storage and Equipment Requirements…………….…………….10
- Evaluate Vendors and the Local Recycling Markets..…………………..…..10
- Review Current Hauling Contracts…..…………………………………..………….11
- Set up a monitoring system..……………………..……………………………………11
Additional Tips of Designing a System….………..……………………………………..………….11
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Step 6: Educate Employees and Promote…………….…………….…………………………………………12
Custodial Staff…………………………………………;……………………………………………………….12
Step 7: Launch the Diversion Program…………………………………….…………………………………..13
Checklist for Launching the Program………………………………………………………………..13
Step 8: Review the Diversion Program, Adjust, and Improve…………………….…………….……13
Long Term Outreach Plan and Boosting Employee Participation………….………..…14
Document and Convey Program Successes..….……………...…………………………………14
“Close the Loop”……………………………………………………………………………………………...14
Positive Effects of Implementing a Waste Reduction and Recycling Program……..……………….15
Cost Savings and Generating Revenue…………………………………………………………..…………….15
Gaining a Competitive Advantage………………………………………………………….…………………….15
Attracting Top Talent and Employee Retainment…………………………………………………..…….16
Increasing Customer and Brand Loyalty………………………………………………………………..……..17
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Introduction
This guidebook provides a proven framework for implementing a successful waste reduction and
recycling program. An effective waste reduction and recycling program is one that meets the waste
management goals for your business. To implement an effective program at your business, you must
create a system which is tailored to the unique layout, culture, and operations of your business.
[In general] The cost to recycle should be less than the cost of disposal. That being said, it is important to
remember that there is a cost to manage solid waste-- whether through recycling or disposal. The cost
of disposal is relative to the quantity of waste generated and the frequency the waste is removed.
Lowering the quantity of waste generated through waste reduction and recycling efforts can decrease
the frequency your waste container will need to be serviced, thereby lowering disposal costs for your
business.
Why Should A Business Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle?
Approximately 50% of the waste generated in Mecklenburg County comes from the business sector.
Reducing this waste can have a positive impact on the environment, the community, and your
businesses bottom line.
When a business makes a commitment to reducing its waste stream, it is making a commitment to
utilize its resources more efficiently. Efficiencies can come from optimizing production processes,
improving employee behavior, and enhancing purchasing habits and inventory tracking. By using
resources more efficiently, a business can gain a competitive advantage and improve profits.
It’s The Law: Mecklenburg County’s Source Separation Ordinance (SSO) requires business contracting
for at least 16 cubic yards per week of garbage collection to separate office paper and corrugated
cardboard from their trash for the purpose of recycling. Enacted in 2002, this Ordinance was adopted by
all seven municipalities in Mecklenburg County. For additional information, visit:
www.wipeoutwaste.com
The Benefits of Implementing Waste Reduction and Recycling Measures at Your Business
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Cost savings from reduced waste disposal costs
Potential revenue from the sale of recyclables generated at your business
Improved employee morale and engagement
Increased marketability for your business
Increased customer loyalty and trust
Potentially gaining new customers by showing that you are a business committed to the
community and the protection of the natural environment
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What Can Mecklenburg County’s Business Recycling Programs do for Your Business?
Mecklenburg County’s Business Recycling Programs offer free assistance to help your business in its
efforts to reduce your waste stream and become more sustainable. The programs comprehensive
approach includes:
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Site visits to assess waste reduction, reuse, and recycling opportunities
Assisting your business in finding markets for recovered materials and industrial by-products
through Mecklenburg County’s Waste Exchange Marketplace
(http://wasteexchange.mecklenburgcountync.gov/Source/MainFront.aspx )
Assisting your business find free recycling drop-off centers in your area through the Recycling
Center Locator Tool (http://maps.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/website/recyclecenters/)
Providing free interior recycling bins for your business
Assisting your business find permitted waste and recycling haulers
Providing free educational materials, workshops, presentations and employee training
Providing free educational and networking opportunities with local businesses whom have
implemented successful waste reduction and recycling programs (please see the Wipe Out
Waste Ambassador Program at www.wipeoutwaste.com )
Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Recycling Assistance
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Key Concepts in Business Recycling
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It is easy to view recycling at your business as a localized or internal activity. When starting a recycling
program, many businesses focus exclusively on establishing a system that captures recyclable materials
from their waste stream and that moves these collected materials out the door [to be recycled].
Although, both of these components are essential to a successful recycling program, having such a
limited focus can cause the program to fail.
It is important to realize that the recycling program at any given business is actually part of a much
larger system. Prior to starting a recycling program at your business, it is helpful to have a basic
understanding of both how your program fits into the larger recycling marketplace and how this
marketplace will [in turn] impact your program. Knowing these concepts will better prepare you to
design a successful and long-term recycling program; negotiate contracts; find markets for your
collected recyclables; and can even save money.
What is a Recycling Market?
The term “recycling market” has several different meanings. At the national
level, it refers to the commodities market and the valuation, or price, assigned
to a given recyclable material. Like any marketplace, the valuation of
recyclables fluctuates based on market conditions.
At the local level, the “recycling market” generally refers to access to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
or a material processor whom will buy the commodity [based on the commodities market price] and
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place the material into the recycling process. After the material is processed, it is sent to the “end market”, or manufacturer, where it will be remanufactured into a new product.
Who are the Players in a Recycling Market?
Waste/Recycling Haulers: Collect waste and recyclable materials from contracted clients. Haulers
generally charge for their collection service, but some may pay small amounts for recyclables. These
materials are marketed to an intermediate processor or to an end-use market such as a paper mill.
Waste Brokers (general refuse): Make arrangements on behalf of others to handle, transport,
dispose or recover controlled waste, but do not handle, transport or dispose or recover the waste
themselves.
Waste Brokers (recycling): Buy and sell recyclable materials and often arrange to have them shipped
from one location to another by haulers or processors. Brokers generally sell to end -use markets, and
are often able to pay premium prices because they accumulate and sell large quantities of materials.
They usually prefer to purchase trailer-load quantities of recyclables.
Materials Processor: A specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for
marketing to end-user manufacturers.
End-User or Manufacturer: The entity which purchases segregated recyclable materials from a
number of sources and remanufacture those materials into new products. They generally deal only in
trailer-load quantities, and usually purchase materials from regular suppliers (those able to provide
consistent quality and quantity on a monthly basis).
Consumers of Recycled Content Products: In order for a recycling market to exist, consumers must
choose to purchase products that are made from recycled materials.
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Can I Generate a Revenue Stream from Recycling?
Generating revenue from recycling is generally reserved for those businesses that
produce large quantities of recyclables or that generate substantial quantities of
high value recyclables, such as metal. When these conditions exists, a business
will sell their recyclables directly to broker or a material processor. For additional information, please
see the guidance document, “Generating Revenue from Recycling” www.wipeoutwaste.com
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Getting Started
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Here are some key steps in starting a waste reduction and recycling program:
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Obtain Support from Management
Create a Green Team
Analyze the Current Waste Stream to Identify Diversion Opportunities
Assess Waste Reduction and Recycling Opportunities
Design the Diversion Program
Educate Employees and Promote
Launch the Diversion Program
Review the Diversion Program, Adjust, and Improve
Step 1: Obtain Management Support
Having the support of management is an essential component of most successful recycling programs.
Their support adds legitimacy to the waste reduction and recycling effort and can help influence your
workplace culture to embrace the waste reduction and recycling program. Their support can take the
form of an informal endorsement, such as a company-wide memo, or by implementing formal
measures, such as enacting an official waste reduction and recycling company policy.
Step 2: Create a Waste Reduction Team
A waste reduction team is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining the waste reduction
and recycling program. The team should consist of representatives from all areas of the organization and
participants should be encouraged to share their ideas about the design of the program. Having a “green
team” helps ensure that you are getting the best information possible and will help create collective
ownership of the program.
The waste reduction team can also serve as ambassadors for the program within their respective
departments, providing a conduit for information about the program to be easily disseminated. It is
helpful to appoint a waste reduction and recycling coordinator to serve as the liaison between top
management and the waste reduction team.
Management can support the waste reduction team by endorsing program goals, providing resources to
support the programs implementation, communicating the importance of reducing waste within the
company, and encouraging employee participation through a reward program or introducing incentives.
As a general timeframe, large facilities incorporating many different options will need several months to
start a waste reduction/recycling program. Smaller scale programs might be implemented in less than a
month.
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Step 3: Analyze the Current Waste Stream to Identify Diversion Opportunities
It is important to gain an understanding of your businesses current waste reduction practices, the
quantity and variety of waste your business generates, and the activities generating those waste
streams. Use the following strategies to learn about your businesses waste streams and your current
waste management system:
Create a Waste Baseline
At a minimum, examine all waste and recycling hauling service records at your business (from all
vendors) for the past year. This data will allow you to determine your current diversion rate and will
serve as the baseline to measure the impact of your new recycling/waste reduction program.
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Establish the Costs of Your Businesses Existing Waste Management System: Establishing costs
will enable you to track the impact of your program. To estimate costs, use the f ollowing
formula:
Total Waste Costs = (Waste Bills + Recycling Bills) – (Recycling Revenue Generated)
Execute Waste Assessments
Identify waste diversion improvement opportunities by examining the various waste streams from your
business. The most effective method of assessing your business’s waste stream is to conduct a Waste
Audit.
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Conducting a Waste Audit: A waste audit is the most powerful waste assessment tool because it
involves physically sorting and weighing each component of a business’s waste stream. No other
tool will give you a more in-depth understanding of your business’s waste stream while
enhancing employee engagement and managerial support. For step-by-step instructions, please
see “Conducting a Waste Audit” www.wipeoutwaste.com
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Waste Audits: Large vs. Small Businesses
The size of a business might influence how a waste audit is conducted. Businesses with
small waste streams will find it easier to audit all the waste from a particular day at one
time.
Businesses with larger waste streams might choose to audit representative samples from
all parts of their waste stream. To conduct this method, it is suggested that representative 50 pound
samples from each dumpster be collected.
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Conduct Site Assessments
Conduct a facility walk through to gain an understanding of all policies, procedures and employee
actions connected to the collection and disposal of waste materials. The facility walk through will
provide context as to why certain materials are ending up in the waste stream and can offer insight into
how the current diversion process can be improved. Waste reduction team members are ideal
candidates to conduct a facility walk through.
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When conducting a walk though, one should:
 Note the layout and operations of all departments in the facility
 Note the placement of recycling and waste containers and their relative effectiveness
 Visually assess the types and volumes of materials in the recycling/waste containers
 Identify any waste generating activities and potential operational inefficiencies that
might contribute to the generation of those wastes
 Interview employees and supervisors in the identified areas to obtain additional
information
Step 4: Assess Opportunities for Waste Reduction and Recycling
Use the information collected via the Waste Reduction Team in Step #3 to select the appropriate waste
reduction and recycling measures to implement. The reduction or elimination of waste can occur via the
following methods (listed in order of priority). When conducting this assessment, it is helpful to list the
requirements for implementing each potential action along with the estimated quantity of waste that
could potentially be eliminated.
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Source Reduction: Preventing the generation of waste.
 Source Reduction activities can be implemented on the individual level, such as using
reusable mugs, or at the business level, such as buying supplies in bulk to reduce
packaging within shipments or requiring employees to print double sided.
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Reuse: To use an item again after it has been used
 Reuse opportunities can be implemented at the individual level, such as using the back
side of a paper for notes, or at the business level, such as refilling tonner and inkjet
cartridges or donating office furniture to a charity.
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Recycling: Separating a material from the waste stream for use as a feedstock in the
production of another product.
Identify the Materials Your Program will Target
When starting a program, it is recommended that you address the ‘low hanging fruit’ first, saving the
harder to manage items until the program has matured.
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‘Target’ materials are those that have a readily available market, can potentially generated revenue or
result in a cost savings, exists in the greatest quantity, and can easily be handled and/or separated from
the waste stream using methodology that is both cost effective and practical.
Step 5: Design the Program
To increase the accuracy of cost estimates, it is recommended that a business evaluate options and
design the recycling program simultaneously. When evaluating and selecting program options,
businesses should estimate and analyze:
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The quantity and variety of materials addressed by the program
Any capital costs for the program (collection equipment, recycling bins, bailing equipment, etc.)
The program’s compatibility with the current way of doing business
Estimated costs savings and/or revenue generated from the proposed waste diversion program
Ongoing operations costs (any added labor costs, hauling costs, container rental costs, etc.)
Training requirements and implementation time
Once these estimates are obtained, meet with upper management to gain approval for the proposed
program. It is important to show how the program will benefit your business. It is often helpful to
illustrate how the program aligns with the preexisting goals and the identity of the company. Once
approved, commence with designing the program.
The waste reduction team should decide which materials to recycle, how the materials will be separated
for collection, how the materials will be moved from the point of generation to the designated point of
collection, and the preferred level of employee participation.
The goal is to set up a waste diversion/recycling program that will be successful and that will create
momentum for future waste reduction efforts. As such, it may be advisable to start with a more modest
program (focused on one or two items) and succeed, rather than to trying and take on too many items
and fail.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste provides free interior recycling
containers to requesting businesses. These containers come in two
sizes:
1) Desk-side (12 x 9 x 15)
2) Common Area (18 x 12 x 26)
For more information, visit www.wipeoutwaste.com
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Important Considerations When Designing a Program:
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Determine Storage and Equipment Requirements
 Utilize quantity estimates generated via the waste audit to help determine the space
needed for storing the collected recyclables between vendor/hauler pick-ups
 Work with vendors to determine if there is a minimum quantity that must be generated
before they will collect a given material
 Work with haulers/vendors to properly size the collection container
 The goal is to increase the material density/weight per load while decreasing
pick-up frequency
 Consider any equipment requirements to properly handle a material
 If you are storing the material in view of surrounding businesses, explore any screening
requirements established in your municipality
 Remember that the more you recycle, the less you send to the landfill. Working with
your waste hauler to adjust the size of the trash dumpster [to reflect your smaller waste
stream] can free up space to store collected recyclables. This option must be weighed
against the potential financial benefits of maintaining your current dumpster and
reducing the frequency that it is serviced by the waste hauler.
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Evaluate Vendors and the Local Recycling Markets
Mecklenburg County has a competitive recycling marketplace. Each vendor, hauler, and
processor will vary in the service they provide, the cost of collection, materials they will accept,
and in some circumstances, the revenue they will offer. As such, it is a good idea to interview
several recycling service providers, haulers, vendors, or processors before signing a service
contract.
When speaking with a hauler, vendor, or processor, be sure to discuss volume requirements for
a given material, service fees for collecting/hauling the material, collection schedules,
equipment that they will supply you, ownership of the collected materials once they are placed
in the collection bin, and potential revenue sharing options. If a business has large volumes of
specific materials, it is advisable to deal directly with a single item processor to obtain greater
revenue for their materials.
If you are looking to generate revenue from a recyclable material, additional separation and
preparation measures might be required to maximize the price you receive. Preparation and
separation requirements are typically far less rigid for haulers than those required by
processors, brokers and end-users/manufacturers. Subsequently, prices offered for a collected
material are generally lowest with haulers, and increase with processors, brokers and endusers/manufacturers.
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 For additional information on contacting buyers, selecting buyers, and contracting
buyers, please see the guidance document entitled “Generating Revenue from
Recyclables” www.wipeoutwaste.com.
 For a comprehensive list of vendors, service providers, and processors of recyclable
materials, visit the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR)
“Recycling Markets Directory” http://www.p2pays.org/dmrm/start.aspx .
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Review Current Hauling Contracts
Review any waste hauling contracts currently in place at your business to ensure that the
proposed waste reduction/recycling program will not violate any terms of the contract. Pay
close attention to the duration of the contact (2 years, etc.) and be aware of “evergreen
clauses” which automatically renew your contract after a specified period of time [if the
contract is not canceled]. It is also important to look for clauses that give ownership of collected
materials to the hauler once it is placed into their collection containers. Such clauses can restrict
recycling options, and in some instances, allots the hauler the option to take the collected
recyclables to the landfill.
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Set up a monitoring system
Set up a monitoring system which allows the green team to record results and provide f eedback.
The purpose of the monitoring system is to regularly assess the quantity and quality of the
collected materials. You should also seek feedback from the recycling hauler and/or material
processor about the quantity and quality of the collected mate rials. Such feedback can help
assess the performance of your program and ensure that you are receiving the best price or
biggest rebate for the collected materials.
Additional Tips of Designing a System
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The biggest contributor to a haulers bill is transportation costs. If you are unsure of which
hauling companies to initially contact, start with the ones already servicing nearby businesses.
By maximizing routes, those haulers should provide you with lower rates.
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Having employees separate recyclables at the point of generation, such as placing recyclables in
desk-side bin, is an effective recycling method. Emptying these desk-side containers into a larger
common-area containers is highly recommended as it simplifies the collection process for
custodial staff.
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Always place recycling containers next to garbage containers
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Recycling collection containers come in many sizes and shapes. Be sure to explore all container
options, including the use of compactors and bailers, with your hauler, vendor, or processor.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Mecklenburg County provides over 120 free
business recycling drop-off centers located
throughout the County. These ‘singlestream’ recycling containers accept the
same materials as the County’s residential
recycling program. To locate a center near
you, or to see if your business qualifies to
host a recycling drop-off center, visit our
website: www.wipeoutwaste.com
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Step 6: Educate Employees and Promote
Prior to its launch, all employees must be educated about the recycling/ waste reduction program and
must be trained on how to effectively participate in the program.
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Develop promotional materials such as program slogans, posters, stickers, etc., that will
encourage colleagues to recycle. It is often beneficial to make promotional materials bilingual.
Develop and schedule training sessions that utilize waste reduction team members to teach
their colleagues about the waste reduction and recycling program.
Incorporate upper management’s support of the program within the promotional and
educational materials
Work with management to ensure that all new employees are both informed about the waste
reduction and recycling program and are aware of their expected role in the program.
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Custodial Staff
Custodial staff are one of the most important, and most overlooked, components
of a waste reduction and recycling program. As such, custodial staff must be
informed about the program and their role within it. They must also be properly
trained and allotted an opportunity to provide feedback on the program and the
materials collected. If your business contracts with an outside custodial service, it
is imperative that any new responsibilities for collecting or sorting recyclables are outlined within their
contract.
Tips for Training Custodial Staff:
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Hold training sessions at the beginning of a shift
Make the training session short and efficient (10 minutes max)
Develop a bilingual procedure sheet detailing tasks and locations of collection containers
Establish a mechanism for custodial staff to provide feedback and/or offer suggestions to with
waste reduction team members.
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Schedule a follow-up meeting a few months after the initial training session to provide an
opportunity to receive additional feedback and to make any necessary adjustments.
Recognize (and possibly reward) custodial staff for successfully implementing the program
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Step 7: Launch the Diversion Program
Schedule a kick-off event to introduce the new program to employees. This can be an exclusive event, or
held in conjunction with a related environmental day, such as Earth Day (April 22nd) or America Recycles
Day (November 15th). Promote the launch date to employees prior to the event and be sure to
incorporate top management within the kick-off proceedings.
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Checklist for Launching the Program
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Ensure that all recycling containers are in place (according to the recycling plan)
All promotional items, such as posters, are in place and are bilingual if necessary
Employees and Custodial Staff are trained
All contracts or service agreements are in place for the collected recyclables
A monitoring system is in place
A method for sharing the program results with all participants is established
Step 8: Review the Diversion Program, Adjust, and Improve
Based on the parameters for success established by the waste reduction team, regularly monitoring (and
record keeping) of what is being deposited in the recycling and waste containers will help the waste
reduction team assess the program’s effectiveness and will provide the basis for reporting financial
information to upper management. Regular monitoring also helps in:
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Identifying aspects of the program that need to be improved upon
Tracking the program’s success
Identifying new materials to add to the program
Document compliance with State or local regulations
Keep employees both informed and motivated.
Once designed, recycling programs are not static. As the program evolves, adjustments will have to be
made in order to ensure the program’s long-term success. Many of these adjustments will be the result
of feedback obtained from waste reduction team members, custodial staff, program participants, and
contracted haulers/material processors. Be sure to solicit feedback from program participants on how to
improve the program and to report any issues that might arise.
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Long Term Outreach Plan and Boosting Employee Participation
Having a long-term education and outreach plan will ensuring that the program avoids
stagnation. The following examples can be implemented to keep your programs message
dynamic and to boost employee participation:
 Distribute regular email messages to employees which provide an environmental tip or
express the benefits of waste reduction and recycling
 Highlight the efforts of employees with exemplary waste reduction/recycling practices
 Formally recognize employees with outstanding waste reduction and/or recycling
practices
 Implement a competition between divisions or floors. Award prizes to the team with
the highest participation rate or that diverts/recycles the most materials over a given
period of time
 Develop new posters or educational materials to reflect the current state of the waste
reduction/recycling program
 Track the quantities of materials recycled or diverted with a visible display
 Over a set period of time, donate any revenue generated or costs diverte d through
recycling and waste reduction efforts to a charity or social fund for the employees
 Set a recycling or waste diversion goal and provide rewards when it is met
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Document and Convey Program Successes
Conveying the success of the waste reduction and recycling program to program participants
and upper management through thorough documentation is critical to the long-term success of
the program. It is advisable to include how the successes relate to corporate sustainability goals
and cost savings.
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“Close The Loop”
It is a common misunderstanding that the three chasing arrows of the
recycling symbol represent the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Designed in 1970, the three chasing arrows actually represent the three
stages in the ‘closed loop system’: Collection, Manufacturing, and
Purchasing. ‘Closed loop’ recycling essentially describes a production
process in which post-consumer waste is collected, processes, and used to make new products.
In the workplace, collection encompasses the implementation of a recycling program, with
employees separating recyclables from the waste stream and vendors/brokers/haulers
transporting these items to a material processor or manufacturing plant.
Manufacturing describes the process of turning the collected recyclables into new products.
Manufacturers then ship these new recycled content products to retailers for sale to the public.
Purchasing is the stage which actually ‘closes the loop’. In order to maintain the robustness of
the recycling marketplace, consumers must choose to purchase products with recycled content.
One way to ‘close the loop’ at your business is to establish a procurement policy to only
purchase office paper containing a designated percentage of recycled content.
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Positive Effects of Implementing a Waste Reduction and
Recycling Program
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The positive outcomes of implementing a waste reduction and
recycling program can be classified into two general categories:
External Benefits and Internal Benefits.
External Benefits are those benefits that occur outside your
business operations. These include the positive environmental
impacts resulting from reducing your businesses environmental
footprint via your waste reduction and recycling program.
Such benefits include reductions in water use, energy use, air
pollution, and the preservation of natural habitats. Recycling also helps the local economy by
supporting jobs. In fact, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
estimates that there are currently over 17,000 direct private sector recycling-related jobs in
North Carolina (NCDENR, 2013).
Internal Benefits of implementing a waste reduction and recycling program are those benefits
impacting the day-to-day operations of your business. In general, there are 4 positive internal
benefits that can result from enacting sustainable practices such as a waste reduction and
recycling program. These effects are:
1) Cost Savings and Generating Revenue
Recycling and waste reduction efforts can save your business money through avoided
disposal costs. Some businesses can generate revenue from recycling by selling collected
recyclable materials to brokers or material processors. For additional information, check out
Mecklenburg County’s guidance document: “Generating Revenue from Recycling” at
www.wipeoutwaste.com.
2) Gaining a Competitive Advantage
A recent study conducted by the Harvard Business School examined the performance of 180
U.S. companies between 1993 and 2009. The study found that “high sustainability”
companies—those that adopt a substantial number of environmental and social policies for
a significant number of years—outperform “low sustainability” companies over the longterm in both stock market and accounting performance (Eccles, HBS)
As of 2014, 72% of the S&P 500 produce a Sustainability Report (G&A Institute, 2014).
Companies are now actively managing supply chains to ensure that each component (the
vendors, suppliers, etc.) aligns with their internal sustainability policies and standards. As
supply chains “green”, and customer preference towards environmentally responsible
companies grow, there is an increased potential for generating new business opportunities
via adopting sustainability measures such as a waste reduction and recycling program.
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Companies that emphasize their environmentally responsible business practices can also
gain the favor of like-minded consumers. According to a 2013 survey, 71% of Americans
consider the environment when they shop (Cone, 2013). As such, it is beneficial to highlight
your business's waste reduction, recycling and sustainability efforts in a marketing
campaign. When relaying this message, it is important to only report what your business
actually does. This will help prevent perceptions of “green-washing” -- Claiming that you are
greener than you really are, a practice which can significantly damage your businesses
credibility.
3) Attracting Top Talent and Employee Retainment
Today’s emerging leaders are seeking more than a good salary – they are searching for
meaning in their day-to-day work and they link their personal values more closely to their
career than prior generations (Forbes, Nov. 12, 2013). A recent article published in the
Harvard Business Review (Sustainability Matters in the Battle for Tallent, May 23, 2013)
cited a 2012 Bain & Company survey which found that roughly two-thirds of survey
respondents reported caring much more about sustainability now than three years ago and
that these employees expect employers to step up and support this growing interest. As
such, sustainability is an increasingly important factor in attracting and managing talent.
At a fundamental level, attracting a larger pool of candidates for a given job opening
provides a better opportunity for your business to select employees with higher
qualifications. There are three mechanisms in which having a sustainability program helps
attract job seekers:
A. It is a source of employee pride : Sustainable actions, such as starting a waste
reduction and recycling program, can help lift a company’s reputation and
status, leading job seekers to believe that they would feel proud to work for
such an admired and responsible company.
B. It implies that a company cares about their employees : Having a
sustainability program conveys that a business cares about the environment and
the community as a whole, and therefore must treat its own employees well.
C. It helps connect the businesses organizational values to their own
personal values: Research shows that job seekers want to work for an
organization whose values that align with their own. This connection can also
spur loyalty to the company.
The same mechanisms that help attract potential employees to your business can also
contribute to the retention of current employees. A 2012 study found that when companies
implemented more green initiatives, employees saw their employer as an organization that
cares about its community rather than being solely focused on making a profit. This resulted
in employees feeling a sense of pride towards their organization, especially when they saw
other people holding their organization in high regard. This sense of pride was found to both
increase the willingness of employees to engage in organizational citizenship behavior and
decrease employee’s willingness to leave the organization (Inquirer, 2012).
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4) Increasing Customer and Brand Loyalty
Businesses that engage in environmentally friendly practices (such as recycling) and
communicate those practices to customers can create a positive brand image. Such
companies are often seen by potential customers as more caring and honest than
businesses not engaging in such efforts. When a brand meets or exceeds functional
expectations (i.e. quality standards) and satisfies a customer’s need for certain psychological
benefits (i.e. feeling good about supporting a caring/responsible business), the brand
prompts “Brand Loyalty”. In addition to routinely buying a brand, loyal customers will
promote the brand or business to their peers (Sleeth-Keppler, 2011).
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Sources:

S.C. Smart Business Recycling Program
S.C Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC)
Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
www.scdhec.gov/smartbusiness

Recycle Indiana – Markets for Recyclables
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
http://www.in.gov/idem/recycle/2347.htm

Factsheet- Understanding Local Recycling Markets
Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC)
www.serdc.org/Resources/Documents/SERDC%20Recycling%20Markets%20Factsheet.pdf

Eccles, Robert G., Ioannis Ioannou, and George Serafeim."The Impact of Corporate Sustainability
on Organizational Processes and Performance." Management Science(forthcoming).
(http://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/SSRN-id1964011_6791edac-7daa-4603-a2204a0c6c7a3f7a.pdf)

Jones, David and Willness, Chelsea. Three Reasons Job Seekers Prefer Sustainable Companies.
Network for Business Sustainability. June 03, 2013. http://nbs.net/knowledge/three-reasonsjob-seekers-prefer-sustainable-companies/

Corporate Sustainability - What Matters? - An Analysis of 1,246 Global Organizations'
Sustainability Reports to Examine Materiality Across 35 Sectors for all 84 GRI Performance
Indicators. GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY INSTITUTE. June 16, 2014. http://www.gainstitute.com/nc/issue-master-system/news-details/article/corporate-sustainability-whatmatters-an-analysis-of-1246-global-organizations-sustainabilit/print.html

2013 Cone Communications Green Gap Trend Tracker. http://www.conecomm.com/2013green-gap-trend-tracker-1

Davis-Peccoud, Jenny. Sustainability Matters in the Battle for Talent. Harvard Business Review.
May 20, 2013. https://hbr.org/2013/05/sustainability-matters-in-the

Santos, Filipe. Corporate Social Responsibility: The Key to Attracting and Retaining Top Tallent.
Forbes. November 12, 2013. http://www.forbes.com/sites/insead/2013/11/12/corporate-socialresponsibility-the-key-to-attracting-retaining-top-talent/
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
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Employment Trends in North
Carolinas Recycling Industry -2013.
http://www.recyclenc.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=fad9a293-0650-4a22-81e 82a01aba78153&groupId=38322

Villano, Matt. Five Step Guide Towards Marketing a Business as Green. Entrepreneur. November
2011. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220568

Sleeth-Keppler, David. Brand Loyalty. November 2011. Strategic Business Insights.
http://www.strategicbusinessinsights.com/about/featured/2011/2011-11brandloyalty.shtml#.VK2RONLF8Rp

http://www.dhrinternational.com/thought-leadership/corporate-social-responsibility

http://www.ecoseed.org/business/17306-green-business-tax-breaks-how-becoming-ecofriendly-can-pay-off-for-your-business

Abella, Devi Dayavati; Yap, Carla Dianna. The Organizational Benefits of Going Green. Philippine
Daily inquirer. December 30, 2012. http://business.inquirer.net/100449/the-organizationalbenefits-of-going-green

Webster, Georgia. Green Business Tax Breaks: How becoming eco-friendly can pay off for your
business. January 14, 2014. http://www.ecoseed.org/business/17306-green-business-taxbreaks-how-becoming-eco-friendly-can-pay-off-for-your-business

https://www.concur.com/blog/en-us/how-going-green-can-save-your-business

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=CN_0AgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR15&dq
=competitive+advantage+of+zero+waste&ots=5QY9Fm3SKe&sig=2N7POFMaF_vagYHc8l
ZkZaaXNWg#v=onepage&q=zero%20waste&f=false

Mazoni, Mary. What Does ‘Close the Loop’ Actually Mean? Earth 911. 2013.
http://www.earth911.com/general/close-the-loop-primer/
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