| Introduction | | | | they will be easier to replace or distribute in the |
| As the founder of the German Green Party, | | | | future should new containers be needed. |
| Petra Kelly once said “If we don’t do the | | | | Product Recommendations |
| impossible, we shall be faced with the | | | | Busch Systems offers an extensive line of |
| unthinkable.” It is time we answered | | | | recycling and waste container solutions. The type |
| Kelly’s call to action and set into motion the | | | | of bin to select for a hospitality environment will |
| necessary steps to revitalize the earth, such as, | | | | depend on how it will be used. There are four |
| integrating recycling programs within local | | | | categories of use to consider when selecting |
| communities. The simple practice of generating | | | | recycling bins: individual, shared, outdoor and |
| new uses for discarded materials conserves | | | | temporary. Listed below are product |
| natural resources, reduces air pollution, saves | | | | recommendations for each category: |
| energy and downsizes landfills. For example, if | | | | 1. Outdoor recycling containers are for exterior |
| everyone in the country recycled a newspaper a | | | | facility use, such as, building entrances and |
| week thirty-six million trees a year would be | | | | smoking areas. The ‘Four in One HD’ |
| saved. | | | | recycling bin is best suited for this category as it |
| There are six steps involved with setting up a | | | | has various collection slot options and fitted liners. |
| recycling program in the hospitality industry: | | | | This container consists of four compartments |
| 1. Consult a waste collection service | | | | which are all able to collect twenty three gallons |
| 2. Determine what is needed | | | | of waste or recyclables. |
| 3. Gather equipment | | | | 2. Recycling containers designed for temporary |
| 4. Organize | | | | use target special events which require added |
| 5. Roll out the program | | | | recycling, such as, banquets or weddings. The |
| 6. Maintain program | | | | ‘Recycle Clear’ series is ideal for this type |
| This guide will outline each of these steps in detail | | | | of function use as it is lightweight, durable and |
| and how to use them to implement a successful | | | | custom designed to work indoor or outdoor in |
| recycling program. | | | | varying weather conditions. |
| Step 1: Consult a Waste Collection Service | | | | These are only a few of the recycling container |
| Before introducing a program determine what | | | | solutions offered at Busch. To view the complete |
| type of recycling is possible for the area. Contact | | | | line of equally attractive alternatives please visit: |
| local businesses and find out who collects waste | | | | Step 4: Organize the Recycling Program |
| and recyclables in the area. When contacting the | | | | After a container is selected it must be |
| companies evaluate their customer satisfaction | | | | incorporated into a well organized recycling |
| and collection costs, as well as, determine if | | | | program. The first step is assigning a program |
| neighbouring businesses are interested in sharing | | | | coordinator. This should be someone in the building |
| recycling services. | | | | who is interested in taking charge of the program. |
| Each community has a different procedure for | | | | Once the coordinator is made aware of their |
| collecting recyclables. Find out from the waste | | | | responsibilities they can ensure that the recycling |
| hauler what the collection requirements are in the | | | | program is always running smoothly. |
| area including: | | | | The new candidate can begin their duties by |
| - What types of materials are collected | | | | selecting where the containers should go. When |
| - How materials are separated | | | | deciding where bins should be placed bear in mind |
| - What color schemes are used | | | | other containers which may be in the |
| - What types of containers are accepted | | | | environment, traffic, capacity and collection. The |
| - When are materials collected | | | | scheduling of container collection may be the |
| - How much does it cost | | | | deciding factor in determining where the bins |
| - What type of areas work with the collection | | | | should go. Placement options may be limited |
| trucks | | | | depending on the size of the collection vehicle and |
| - What happens when the program requirements | | | | the accessibility of the area. |
| change | | | | Suggested Green initiatives |
| Step 2: Determine What Is Needed | | | | Once the collection of recyclable material has been |
| Determine how much and what type of waste is | | | | arranged other green initiatives can be considered. |
| generated in the building. Apply it to the | | | | Listed below are a few suggestions for green |
| specifications provided by the hauler and the | | | | practices which those in the hospitality industry |
| anticipated level of traffic for the area. Together | | | | can perform: |
| this information will provide what is needed for | | | | - Reusing packaging |
| the recycling program to run. For example, a hotel | | | | - Setting up linen reuse programs |
| may require large centralized containers for | | | | - Setting up bulk dispensers for shampoo, cream, |
| shared facilities or small recycling bins for individual | | | | milk, sugar, salt and pepper |
| use. The type of recycling bin which will work | | | | - Stocking facilities with items using less packaging |
| best will depend on how often it will be emptied, | | | | - Encouraging the use of reusable containers, |
| the amount of people contributing to it, possible | | | | mugs, glasses, plates and cutlery |
| janitorial services and the size of the area. | | | | - Replacing standard urinals with waterless ones |
| A great way to determine what is needed for a | | | | - Using hybrid delivery vehicles |
| recycling program is by seeking the input and | | | | Step 5: Roll Out Program |
| approval of those in the space. Applying the | | | | Following the development of a recycling program |
| advice of staff, patrons or guests can encourage | | | | is the execution. In order for the program to run |
| future program use. It can also ensure that an | | | | smoothly the end user must be educated on how |
| appropriate recycling program is selected by | | | | it operates and understand what the goals are. |
| those who will be using it. | | | | Rolling out the initiative will get those sharing the |
| Step 3: Gather Recycling Equipment | | | | space excited about the program and motivated |
| Now that the specific needs of the program have | | | | to use it. |
| been determined the equipment can be purchased. | | | | Organize a meeting to roll out the recycling |
| Consult a recycling bin manufacturer for program | | | | program to staff. Educate them on how the |
| ideas and container solutions. Ensure that the bins | | | | program runs, what the goals are, who the |
| selected are easy to use, efficient and | | | | program coordinator is and what everyone’s |
| environmentally sound. | | | | responsibilities are. Also, roll out the program to |
| Easy to use recycling containers should be | | | | patrons by distributing information pamphlets to all |
| versatile and custom designed to work with any | | | | current and future guests or patrons. Or, display |
| environment. There are different bin features | | | | signage throughout the establishment with |
| available which make participation in a recycling | | | | information about the program. |
| program easier such as: | | | | Step 6: Maintain Program |
| - Mountable bins for increased kitchen counter | | | | Maintaining a recycling program is a critical |
| space | | | | component to ensuring its longevity and success. |
| - Desk side bins for increased leg room | | | | A large part of the upkeep process will be the |
| - Stackable containers for easy storage | | | | responsibility of the program coordinator. They will |
| - Large wheeled or lidded containers for easy | | | | need to constantly monitor the effectiveness of |
| transportation | | | | the program and find ways to improve it. The |
| Select the container which makes the most sense | | | | coordinator will also be responsible for keeping |
| for the area it will be placed in. | | | | those in the facility enthused and staff, patrons or |
| Containers should feature the correct combination | | | | guests educated on the program procedures. |
| of visual indicators and sorting mechanisms to | | | | There are several ways in which a program |
| maximize the ease in use. Use clearly marked | | | | coordinator can keep up enthusiasm at venues |
| labels, shaped deposit slots and different color | | | | servicing the hospitality industry. For example, a |
| options. These tools will allow staff, patrons or | | | | record of the amount of recyclables leaving the |
| guests to quickly identify what the bin is designed | | | | facility can be stored and statistics can be |
| to collect. | | | | generated on the materials recovered. These |
| Implementing plastic containers which are | | | | statistics can be posted prominently for guests |
| environmentally sound can assist a recycling | | | | and patrons to view. This will generate a positive |
| program. Select containers which are 100% | | | | response from customers which will affect their |
| recyclable, made with a minimum of 35% | | | | treatment of staff. |
| recycled content and complimented by matching | | | | Conclusion |
| waste baskets. Containers meeting these | | | | In conclusion, the combined usage of the above |
| requirements will maximize the results of a | | | | six steps will enable those in the hospitality |
| recycling program in the hospitality industry as | | | | industry to incorporate an effective recycling |
| they have green solutions built right in. | | | | program. The program should work toward |
| North American made containers have a reduced | | | | conserving our natural resources and safeguarding |
| impact on the environment. Local products will | | | | our environment. Ideally, a new recycling program |
| reduce air pollution resulting from overseas | | | | will allow future generations to flourish in what we |
| shipping and toxins from foreign containers. Also, | | | | have instead of flounder in what we have left |
| if the recycling bins are within arm’s reach | | | | behind. |