11 Best Practices for Creating a Recycling Program

11 Best Practices for Creating a Recycling Program

The goals of recycling programs are to conserve resources by diverting waste from landfills; creating a high-quality commodity that can be used in new materials to make new products in an economically viable and environmentally safe way. Here are the key aspects and techniques to achieve this.

1. Define Clear Goals and Objectives

Creating recycling programs can be time consuming and demotivating, as there are a lot of materials to collect and hundreds of ways to collect them. Not to mention, recycling can be expensive with zoning, legislative, education, and complicated logistic needs. We have discussed with customers who have had over 15 different collection schedules for one community. The schedule was so complicated that it could only be distributed as a booklet, not a simple handout. This is just one example of why having a clear scope of work and identifying clear goals that an organization or community wants to achieve guide the program to success.

Using a goal-setting framework like SMART can be a great way to have alignment across the teams required to bring a recycling program to fruition.

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) Goals.

Examples of SMART Goals are...

1. XX% diversion rate
2. # of recycling locations available
3. XX% engagement rate
4. XX% contamination rate
5. Conducting a waste audit
6. Creating a budget, or developing a zero waste plan.

Any of these goals should be completed by a certain achievable date. They are worthy pursuits, and they all start with the next step, waste auditing.

2. Conduct a Comprehensive Waste Audit

Conducting a waste audit is outlined in the Waste Management 101 Course of the Scrapp Zero-Waste Champions Program. In the data industry, there is a saying, "You cannot manage what you do not measure." Without first understanding the waste and recycling stream, creating a well-designed recycling program will be challenging.

By understanding the types and quantities of materials generated, a detailed waste audit will identify opportunities beyond recycling, such as reduction or reuse. Furthermore, by identifying high-value materials such as corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans, HDPE jugs, and PET plastic bottles appropriate collection methods can be identified. On the contrary, identifying low-value or dangerous materials such as sharps, batteries, and soft plastics can boost quality for high-value material and prompt education efforts.

3. Develop a Tailored Program Design

There is no perfect way to structure a solid waste program. This shows internationally where some countries are just better than others at recycling due to culture, or nuance in their infrastructure. For example, residential programs will differ from commercial or industrial ones, and programs will differ from one another within the same sector. Design the program based on the unique characteristics of the waste stream and community.

For example, some smaller communities put community dumpsters behind town halls to collect corrugated cardboard and partner with supermarkets when deposit return programs are available for aluminum cans. Community centers, local restaurants, and local businesses can be great candidates for distributed collection infrastructure.

Not all collection methods are created equal across cost, efficiency, convenience, and engagement. Ultimately select the collection methods that meet the cost constraints and waste stream while achieving the SMART goals defined by the program.

4. Engage and Educate Stakeholders Alongside Effective Communication Channels

Recycling programs are great but without engagement, bins will remain empty and overall program efficiency will suffer. The best way to increase engagement is to meet people where they are and educate all stakeholders. When people do not know where an item can be disposed of, they often "wishcycle" instead and don't feel encouraged to recycle. Education and empowerment lead to confidence.

Effective strategies consist of interactive workshops, forming green teams, sending out flyers, email blasts, custom apps, clear signage, and social media marketing campaigns. The main goal of these strategies is to reinforce best practices while also showing participants the fruits of recycling right and recycling often. Targeted behavior change marketing can be extremely effective if common contaminants keep popping up in the waste stream. Teaching someone to recycle is far easier than cleaning up contamination every time something goes wrong. There are a variety of tools available, both digital and paper, that can educate about contamination and best practices in real-time. Don't get too caught up in the tech; just keep it simple.

Regularly share program performance and progress with stakeholders through reports, newsletters, or in-app communications. Transparency builds trust and keeps everyone engaged. Creating ways for participants to provide feedback on the program, report issues, or suggest improvements can further increase engagement and overall efficiency.

5. Implement Robust Collection and Processing Systems

Efficient processing is the backbone of any cost-effective collection program. Part of what drives efficiency is consistency. Having consistent collection schedules, procedures, bins, and education drives robustness and is the foundation of other key metrics of success of the program such as contamination & diversion rates.

Alongside consistent collections that are accesible, robust processing systems or contracts with MRFs that are rated to process the appropriate amount of inbound material are pivotal. Ensure that quality standards are agreed upon and fees & revenue-sharing agreements are set. Creating a public-private partnership with MRFs & haulers will create a win-win situation. This will help reach sustainability goals across the social, economic, and environmental factors.

6. Leverage Technology and Data Analytics

Technology can be a powerful tool in rolling out a program. Websites or landing pages on social media can be great for educational initiatives. More sophisticated technologies like smartphone applications, web widgets, route optimization software, AI cameras to detect contamination in curbside collection, data tracking software and just about anything you can think of is available in the industry due to innovation. The most important of these technologies is data analytics. By using data to drive decision-making, more informed and scientifically backed choices are selected. Waste & recycling technologies can be incredibly expensive, and one improperly procured item can turn budgets upside down. Dynamic recovery programs can be created using data insights, delivering a better program for all stakeholders.

Data fields that can be measured include, contamination rates, procurement analyses to mitigate waste upstream, overall tonnage, fullness of containers (volume), community questions, and collection frequency.

7. Promote Source Reduction and Reuse

It is often easier to tackle solid waste and recycling issues by looking further upstream rather than downstream at the bin. It is challenging to reduce waste at the bin level. By implementing source reduction strategies such as procurement assessments and the promotion of reusable service ware & packaging, the results for source reduction can be tremendous. Source reduction strategies can be as simple as starting with "What do we need and what's going to waste?".

On the reusable side, some communities have implemented microgrants (around $500) to fund small businesses on reusable service ware. With dine-in, only some restaurants saw a return on investment in the first month. Reuse programs extend beyond packaging and can be applied to construction materials, bulky furniture items, and more.

Scrapp has spoken to colleges that have saved over $1,000,000 through reusing furniture across campus from the dorms. Some of these were done almost entirely through student-led initiatives.

A reuse program in any community or business can start with simple steps like reusable tableware, a swap shop at the local transfer station, or even a Facebook marketplace listing to keep furniture from landfills.

8. Develop Partnerships and Collaborations

There is no need to police recycling program participation. Recycling is naturally a rewarding experience for people to engage in. By engaging with local residents, groups, and businesses, a more robust recycling and diversion program can be built. We all share one planet so we should all play our part in cleaning it up. Partnerships can start as simple as holding events at local schools or holding charity drives with the local church to keep unwanted clothes out of landfills. For businesses, creating a waste program can be as simple as working together with a local hauler to identify waste they want to take and other types of waste that should be brought to 3rd party specialty recyclers. On a larger scale, communities can partner with haulers and large waste organizations to make infrastructure more robust due to increased recycling demand.

9. Regular Program Evaluation and Compliance

• Continuous Improvement: Periodically review the program’s performance against goals and KPIs. Use feedback and data to make adjustments and improvements.
• Adapt to Changes: Stay flexible to adapt to changes in market conditions, regulations, and community needs. The recycling industry is dynamic, and programs must evolve to remain effective.
• Stay Informed on Regulations: Ensure the program complies with all local, state, and federal regulations. This includes proper handling of hazardous materials, electronic waste, and reporting requirements.
• Align with Environmental Goals: Position the recycling program within broader sustainability initiatives, such as zero waste goals, greenhouse gas reduction targets, or circular economy strategies.

10. Implement Pilot Programs and Scale Up by Leveraging Resources

As mentioned before, starting small with high value materials is always the safest bet. This same ideology is true with testing new ideas, technologies, or processes on a smaller scale before rolling them out across the entire program. This helps identify potential issues and refine the approach. Once a pilot proves successful, develop a plan to scale up the initiative, including training, infrastructure investment, and stakeholder engagement.

Recycling programs can be expensive, especially on a large scale. Explore other sources of funding such as government grants, private financing, or partnerships to support the program’s implementation and expansion. Collective bargaining can be a tremendous asset that can reduce overall costs and increase program efficiency for service providers as well. This is especially true of reuse systems, where the more widespread the adoption of reusable containers across a community, the more efficient & cost-effective cleaning and collection infrastructure can be.

11. Incorporate Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Principles

No matter the scale or format of a recycling program it is always important to consider Sustainable Materials Management Principles (SMM). SMM is the shift to looking at materials as commodities rather than waste. This includes considering the entire lifecycle of materials, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, and material efficiency which optimizes the use of materials to minimize waste and maximize value. Actions incorporating SMM principles include promoting material reduction, reuse, repair, and recycling. Processes that include disposal or incineration do not adhere to SMM principles.  

In conclusion, a successful recycling program requires a thoughtful approach that combines clear goal-setting, data-driven decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and robust collection systems. By implementing practices such as waste audits, circular procurement, and consistent education, businesses and communities can significantly reduce waste and move closer to their zero-waste goals. Continuous evaluation and collaboration with partners will help ensure that the program remains adaptable and effective in achieving long-term sustainability.

How can Scrapp help?

Are you embarking on your own zero-waste journey? Our sustainability experts are here to guide you. So, if you need further guidance, personalized strategies, or more details about our digital recycling tools, don't hesitate to reach out. We're committed to helping you achieve your zero-waste goals.

You can get your own procurement assessment done by the Scrapp team. Book in a call to get started today.

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