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How
to Start a Waste Paper Recycling Program in Office Building:
F.
Are all kinds of paper recyclable?
Not all
papers can be recycled. Depending on the specific requirements
of certain paper mills, the following are the usual DOs and
DON'Ts:
| DO
recycle |
DON'T
recycle |
- White
office paper-letterhead, business forms, offset paper,
scratch paper, copy paper
- Coloured
paper
- Photo
copies
- Adding
machine tape
- Index
cards
- Computer
printout paper
- Standard
business cards
- Brochures
and Newsletters (if not on glossy paper)
- Magazines/books
with stapled/sowed binding (any coated glossy cover
should be removed)
- Envelopes
and folders (including stamps but remove adhesive
flap or plastic window)
- Leaflets
from junk mail
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- Adhesive
removable notes
- Overhead
transparencies
- Carbon
Paper
- Envelopes
with plastic windows
- Blueprint
paper
- Cellophane
- Film
- Spiral
binders
- Magazines/books
using glue for binding
- Lunch
boxes, wax paper, papercups, paper plates
- Napkins,
tissue, paper towel
- Self-adhesive
stickers or those with glue or tape
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Rubber
bands, paper clips and staples are OK as they will be removed
in the recycling process but large metal fasteners and other
contaminants should be removed.
(Note
: High grade white office papers such as computer printout
is of higher value and should where possible be separated
from other paper waste.)
G.
Who collects the separated waste paper?
Your
current cleaning contractor will collect waste paper from
the "green boxes". Arrangements should be made with
them regarding the frequency of emptying the boxes and newspaper
banks. The contractor will liaise with the waste dealer/paper
mill on arrangements for final delivery. Many waste dealers
will provide a pick-up service on a daily basis if the quantity
is sufficient. Well co-ordinated collection arrangements avoid
undesirable storage of large quantities of waste paper in
your building.
H.
Are there any financial implications?
No cost
need be incurred except for any spending on publicity.
Agreement
should be sought with the cleaning contractor over the selling
price of the waste paper and whether any revenue generated
is to be shared with management. This however is a delicate
issue since the contractor may have been previously making
his own arrangements to sell the paper, though unseparated.
It should be borne in mind that this is an exercise in responsible
waste management and social necessity, not in profitmaking.
I.
How to publicise the programme?
Promotion
and education are the keys to a successful recycling programme.
This could be achieved through:
- an
appeal start up letter from senior management to all staff;
- display
of posters in the common areas of the office/building; and
- visits
to various sections and departments by the Recycling Coordinator.
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