Recycling Programs & Education > The Mini Bin Program > The Mini Bin Program Makes Cents
The Mini Bin Program Makes Cents!
The Mini Bin Program can be customized to work in many different workplace environments. See how it can work best for you.
Before you implement this program, you should evaluate your current waste management program, existing recycling and waste containers, the level of participation from employees and their awareness of the program.
Conduct a waste audit to see how effective your current recycling program is. Are there high volumes of recyclable materials still going out in the garbage? If so, you are paying more for waste disposal than you should. You need to capture these recyclables, reduce your waste and to help your bottom line.
And this is where the Mini Bin Program can help you out.
The following are three different ways of using the Mini Bin in a waste management program designed to fit your needs:
Scenario #1:
Objective: To reduce garbage and increase recyclables.
Strategy: Replace all standard garbage cans with desktop Mini Bins. Have a recycling container beside each desk to handle paper, cans, glasses etc. Your recycler should accept mixed office papers. The janitorial staff will have to be trained to separate the materials for proper disposal. It is imperative that you create a proper communication and launch package to let employees know that there will be changes made to their recycling program.
Results: When properly implemented, you will realize dramatic reductions overnight.
Your waste removal and disposal costs should reduce.
At this point, depending on market conditions and your recycling contract, you should be able to see an increase in income from recyclables.
Scenario #2:
Objective: To reduce garbage, to get employees emptying their own Mini Bins and to earmark potential janitorial savings.
Strategy: Replace all standard garbage cans with desktop Mini Bins. Have a recycling container beside each desk to handle paper, cans, glasses etc. Your recycler should accept mixed office papers. Employees will now be responsible for emptying their Mini Bins into central garbage containers. The janitorial staff will be responsible for emptying recycling containers and separating recyclable materials. It is imperative that you create a proper communication and launch package to let employees know that there will be changes made to their recycling program.
Results: When properly implemented, you will realize dramatic reductions overnight.
Employee involvement and awareness will increase and they will see the difference that they are making to the environment.
The visual effect of the Mini Bin is "less is better" and this will result in a conscious effort to produce as little garbage as possible.
Your waste removal and disposal costs should reduce.
At this point, depending on market conditions and your recycling contract, you should be able to see an increase in income from recyclables.
You can (re)negotiate your janitorial contract to reflect the change in janitorial duties. Now that janitorial does not have to go desk to desk emptying garbage bins, it may be possible to reduce the price for the contract. Or janitorial may use the "saved" time to do other duties like dusting etc.
Scenario #3:
This overall concept has proven to be the best way to reduce garbage, increase recyclables, change employee' behavior and save money - all at the same time.
Objective: To reduce garbage, to get employees emptying their own Mini Bins and recycling containers and to enjoy huge janitorial savings.
Strategy: Get senior management approval for the following changes.
Replace all standard garbage cans with desktop Mini Bins.
Have a recycling container beside each desk to handle paper, cans, glasses etc. Your recycler should accept mixed office papers.
Install centrally-located recycling and waste containers.
Employees will now be responsible for emptying their Mini Bins into central garbage containers directly into the central containers.
The janitorial staff will be responsible for emptying the centrally located containers only.
It is imperative that you create an in-depth communication program to cover these changes to the program
Results: When properly implemented, you will realize dramatic reductions overnight.
Employee involvement and awareness will increase and they will see the difference that they are making to the environment. The visual effect of the Mini Bin is "less is better" and this will result in a conscious effort to produce as little garbage as possible.
There should be a reduction in waste removal and disposal charges.
At this point, depending on market conditions and your recycling contract, you should be able to see an increase in income from recyclables.
You can (re)negotiate your janitorial contract to reflect the change in janitorial duties. Now that janitorial does not have to go desk to desk emptying garbage bins and recycling bins, it may be possible to reduce the price for the contract. Or janitorial may use the "saved" time to do other duties like dusting etc.
All three scenarios show that whatever your needs, the Mini Bin is a winner. The Mini Bin Program will reduce the amount of garbage generated by your organization day by day.
The Mini Bin
Changing the way people handle their garbage