Starting a Program
Paper Types
Save Money?
Fluorescent Bulbs
Additional Resources

Does your business want to start or improve its recycling program?
Recycling is mandatory in South Hadley.   All rubbish haulers doing business in town must provide recycling services.  In addition, the DPW can help you start or expand your program.  We have bins, toters, fliers, and a Business Recyclopedia free for your use.  In addition you may use the Recycling Center on Industrial Drive.

Recycling is easier than you think. Your employees are already recycling at home.  Beginning a recycling program at work and receiving employee support should be easy and rewarding.   Just follow the simple steps below to get started.  Look in the Additional Resources section for more assistance.

Steps to a Successful Program:
1. Get recycling commitment from the top people in your organization.   Experience shows that recycling programs operate more smoothly and are easier to implement when everyone understands that the company is committed to recycling.
2. Select a Recycling Coordinator.  Having one person who can answer questions and who fully understands the program is helpful.  Recycling experience isn’t necessary, but the coordinator should be enthusiastic and have good communication skills.
3. Get support from your fellow employees and consider forming a recycling team.  Over time, recycling will become as “normal” as disposal, but planning a successful program takes some effort.  A team approach, if well organized, can be an efficient way to involve staff and decrease the workload for any individual person or department.
4. Conduct a simple waste survey to identify the largest quantities of recyclable materials that are currently being thrown away. Understand how your business currently disposes of trash and estimate your recyclables volume.

Sources: Tellus Institute, 1990

Examine your hauler choices.
Do you need a private hauler or are town curbside pickup services right for your business?  All rubbish haulers must provide recycling services.  For more info on town pick up, please call the DPW. The questions listed below may help you in your conversations with a potential recycling service provider:

1. What types of material does the service provider accept for recycling? Are these the same materials that you are looking to recycle?
2. How should the recyclables be prepared for collection?  Is there a minimum quantity requirement for pick up?
3. Will they provide storage containers and/or dumpsters for recyclables?   Do they provide a slotted dumpster for cardboard? Do these cost extra?
4. What would be the collection frequency and estimated costs for the amount of recyclable materials from your company?  Will this cost vary depending on which materials you choose to recycle?
5. Does the hauler/recycler require a contract, or is it an informal arrangement?
6. Can you negotiate an “on-call” pick up for waste collection?

Now that you will be generating less waste, will you see a decrease in your current disposal costs?
Find out where your recycling containers should be conveniently located. Offices find that office paper recycling participation increases and contamination of recyclable decreases when paper collection begins at each desk (desk-side program). To encourage good sorting, make sure that a trash container is next to a recycled paper container. Eliminate stray waste cans. Label your containers.

Determine what type of containers you should use (toters, bins, boxes, or rolling carts).  DPW can supply many of these.

Decide if your custodial staff will be responsible for collection or if employees will empty their bins as needed. Try to make it easy for the custodial staff.  If the custodial staff has a single compartment cart, tie a plastic bag to one of the cart handles. You now have a two-compartment cart. This eliminates custodians needing to make two collections.  DPW can supply wheeled toters.

Decide if there is space next to your existing dumpster for recyclables and/or can you share exterior containers with a neighboring company. Sharing containers with a neighboring business can increase the volume of recyclables collected and decrease collection costs for both companies.

Educate, Motivate, and Communicate!

The success of your program depends on the cooperation of your employees.

What Paper Items Can You Recycle in Your Office?

• Letters
• Accounting Ledgers
• White/Colored Stationary & Envelopes - No windows
• Tabulating and Time Cards
• Stapled Pamphlets
• Cardboard
• Copy Paper
• Carbonless Forms (NCR)
• Legal Pad Paper - No backs
• Manila File Folders - No plastic Tabs
• Computer Printout Paper
• Index Cards
• Receipts

Will Recycling Save Money?
It depends on several factors.   In the beginning, recycling may be an addition cost to your business because it requires a separate collection.   However, as you increase the amount of material that you recycle, the amount of waste will decrease.   This can lower your waste collection costs if you can reduce your dumpster size or frequency of pick up.   By recycling, your business may even avoid additional service charges based on the state “Waste Bans.”   The “Waste Bans” are restrictions on the disposal and transfer for disposal of certain hazardous and recyclable items at solid waste facilities in Massachusetts.  To comply with the waste bans, solid waste facilities are required to monitor and inspect incoming waste loads for unacceptable quantities of restricted materials.  Loads that "fail" may be rejected.  Once a waste load has been rejected haulers will incur added costs for proper disposal of your recyclables.   If your business does not recycle, your hauler may incorporate the risk of possible rejection into his/her service charges.  For more information on waste bans, check out www.magnet.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/recycle.htm.   Be sure to discuss all of these issues in contract negotiations with your hauler.

I hear that businesses can recycle their fluorescent bulbs through the DPW, is that correct?
The DPW recently expanded our fluorescent bulb-recycling program to help local businesses dispose of fluorescent bulbs cheaper and easier.   Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, a heavy metal that is a persistent environmental toxin and poses a very real health risk to humans.  Businesses can minimize risk exposure to humans and the environment by properly disposing of mercury-containing waste.  Recycling fluorescent bulbs is ideal for businesses because it allows full compliance with hazardous waste laws while minimizing costs and paperwork.

How does the program work?
Businesses with ten or fewer bulbs pre-register with the Solid Waste Coordinator by calling 538-5033 before dropping off bulbs at the Recycling Center.  Businesses will be required to pay a 10-cent per foot fee for each bulb at drop off time.  Larger businesses can participate in a DPW sponsored  program.  Call for more information.

Where can I go for Additional Resources?

South Hadley Dept. of Public Works
10 Industrial Drive
South Hadley, MA 01075
413-538-5033
Fax: 413-534-0884

Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-348-4002
Fax: 617-292-5778

Department of Environmental Protection
Western Regional Office
436 Dwight Street
5^th Floor
Springfield, MA 01103
413-784-1100
Fax: 413-784-1149

Center for Ecological Technology (CET)
112 Elm Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-445-4556
Fax: 413-443-8123
www.cetonline.org

Center for Ecological Technology
26 Market Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-7350
Fax: 413-586-7351