Recycling at work – getting with the programme

by Urban Sprout on 26/02/09 at 1:56 pm
14 comments

Say the word ‘recycle’ and people immediately start thinking containers. It’s actually quite amusing – we get roughly one email a week from someone who’s drawn the short straw and been assigned the title of ‘mr/ms recycle’ at work and the first thing they’re after is the receptacle for the recycling. recycle

But first, a quick word on the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra: most of us give little attention to the first two adjectives and move straight to the third, which can arguably be seen as nothing short of a giant placebo that makes us feel good, but is only part of the solution.

Reducing the amount of plastic, tin and glass everyone brings into the office is a good place to start. Buy in bulk, re-use stuff you have bought for other functions (pot plants in old tins, re-use your eco-friendly washing up liquid container and get refills in bulk, reuse envelopes and packaging, print on both sides of the paper etc.)

And for those things you have to buy (milk, coffee, sugar), avoid buying anything that is over-wrapped, over-merchandised and presented in something you cannot recycle (this involves squinting at the base of all plastic purchases to try and read their recycling logos and only succumbing to those that can be recycled by the company collecting your recycling or the drop off depot you use – makes for interesting shopping).

For a quick look at what recycling logos to look out for, read our Green Your Recycling Guide.

ss3_pic A good-size cardboard box will do as a receptacle – the kind usually used by moving companies. They’re a good size, they’re fairly durable, and they’re recyclable. But if you must have something a little more attractive or you need something gargantuan to cope with the levels of recycling, then try companies like Postwink – who provide igloo-type recycling banks made from polyethylene (it’s recyclable, but is still plastic). They also do stainless steel cabinets and wheelie bins

It’s not that difficult to get all the office paper, cardboard, tins, plastic, glass, and even e-waste sorted. You’ll need roughly four containers (you could combine the paper and cardboard):

Paper – white office paper, envelopes, accounts, junk mail, newspapers, magazines, calendars, phone books, till slips, wrapping paper

Cardboard – cereal boxes, egg boxes, toilet paper inners, cardboard boxes, tissue boxes, cards

Plastic – soft drink bottles, water bottles, food containers such as cooking oil, yoghurt, margarine, peanut butter jars, cleaning agent containers, plastic bags, bottle caps, some plastic toys etc. (check the base, it is easiest to recycle numbers 1 & 2, though some drop off depots also take number 5 and tetrapak; very few, if any, take numbers 3 & 7 and if it doesn’t have a number, it probably can’t be recycled)

Glass and tin – drink cans, oil cans, food tins, foil food containers, bottle tops, paint tins, glass jars, bottles (you can’t recycle broken glasses or bottles)

Get it collected
Recycling is much easier if you hire someone to collect it all for you, of course, and there are companies in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The likes of Abundance Recycling and Mr Recycle in the Western Cape, and Resolution Recycling , Mama She’s Waste and Whole Earth in Gauteng, have become more and more popular with businesses. Search urban sprout’s directory for contact details in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

eWaste
eWaste is a little more contentious. It includes computers, entertainment electronics, household appliances and mobile phones and is highly toxic if disposed of incorrectly. Recycling ewaste is also expensive. Add to this the fact that South Africa has no legal framework yet to deal specifically with ewaste, so there are no laws that govern what goes into the products we make. Still, there are ways in which to dispose of it safely. Have a look at eWASA, particularly the collection points.

Going the extra mile to recycle them, rather than just turfing them, is made that much easier by companies such as African Sky , Computer Scrap Recycling and Virgin Earth – see our recycling guide for further contact details.

For more on recycling and who to contact see our green guide.

www.urbansprout.co.za exposes the impact of consumptive, frenzied lifestyles and outlines simple ways in which we can change for the better. The award-winning green blog highlights sustainable alternatives in a directory full of eco-friendly and organic options. Read about: renewable energy, climate change, organic food, genetic modification, sustainable building, recycling, peak oil, ethical money systems, fairtrade, consumer activism, and permaculture. Embrace a shift in consciousness to a one planet lifestyle! View more articles by Urban Sprout.

Tags: mobile phones, recycling

14 Responses to “Recycling at work – getting with the programme”

mike

Feb 27th, 2009

thanks so much for the tips. i applaud you guys, keep it up.
Lene

Feb 27th, 2009

Hi Laura

Just a note that to our knowledge African Sky is no longer operating. Se our list of recyclers and refurbishers here http://www.ewasa.org/recyclingsystem

regards
Lene
toni

Mar 2nd, 2009

just a note to say that Abundance Recyclers are full up and cannot take on another client!!! Getting more vehicles on the road is their next option, no funds for it…yet! There are others in Cape Town and seems to me a good business venture indeed!
Thanks Ideate, a very interesting site!
Rhodes

Mar 13th, 2009

Wholeearth provides an easy a hassle free home collection service in Johannesburg.

The service works well and is very reasonable priced.

http://www.wholeearth.co.za
011 704 6096
info@wholeearth.co.za
Jessica

Apr 1st, 2009

Hi I was just wondering where you got the image at the top of the screwed up paper with the green recycle logo stamped on it? Would it be possible if I could use it?

Thanks a lot.
Shane

Apr 2nd, 2009

Hi Jessica

You can get the image from here: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/917289
Kenny

Jul 15th, 2009

Resolution recycling has filed for liquidation ! Pity
Martin

Aug 22nd, 2009

Hi Everyone, just to let you know that Mr Recycle, the “original service” which has been copied by many, has now expanded into Cape Town.

We almost went the Resolution way, as the City decided that they would run their free recyclable collection service in our backyard.

When they moved in, the 30 jobs I had created for women from a nearby disadvantaged community, over the previous 7 years, were lost.

We provide weekly collections of mixed recyclable materials at R50 per month, restricted to 10kg, or 3 bags a week.

We do also provide a cost effective alternative for the use of security villages and larger recyclable material generators.

Feel free to contact us through http://www.mrrecycle.co.za

With Green Blessings,
Martin
Top 10 Ideate articles in 2009 | Ideate

Dec 24th, 2009

[...] 4. Recycling at work – getting with the programme [...]
Mrs.P.Smith

May 13th, 2010

I wonder if anyone picks up used banana boxes? I am in need of
5000 boxes per month and am looking for suppliers.
Your assistance will be greatly appreciated if you know of stores,
supermarkets, vegetable shops who “dump” banan boxes which
cannot be recycled in mills due to the wax seal used in the boxes.
Darin Cupido

May 31st, 2010

I am looking for a recycling company which operates in the Chamdor aea in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg
How to draft a recycling business plan? Is recycling business sustainable and profitable? | Ideate

Jul 9th, 2010

[...] my opinion, I think recycling is one of the hot topics for the future of our economy. People do not realize it yet but this [...]
buhle ntsele

Feb 20th, 2011

Hi. i’d like to do bottle, cans and paper recycling. I work in a restaurant and we throw away so much of these on daily basis, i spoke to my employer and he is all for it. How do i make money recycling? thanks
roofing sheets

Sep 16th, 2011

A person who posted last night re the cost of steel ,it realy depends where you go to buy it, galvinized is around £740 per metric ton and standard is around £650 per ton- hope this helps