Office Recycling Project

In the Fall of 2007, the employees in the Financial Services building began testing a simple idea: If recycling was nearly as convenient as throwing something away, most people would choose to recycle. The idea has proved a great success!

The key to convenience is the placement of collectors. In the Financial Services building, that meant placing smaller collectors (due to space constraints) inside the office, and eliminating the walk to larger bins outside the building.

The program is employee-driven . Financial Services’ slogan is “100% Easy, 100% Voluntary, and 100% Appreciated.” The program is also “open-source” – everything necessary to start an effort in your office is described below…

Participation is voluntary, and self-selected “recycling champions” keep the program going.

Here’s how it works: Recycling Outside Bins

Set up convenient collectors: The work group’s recycling champion(s) set up labeled internal collectors inside the office, along with a small sign announcing the start of the program. (See clear containers pictured above.)
Set up larger containers: The champions coordinate placement of larger containers nearby through the Caltech Recycling Program. The Recycling program empties these on its weekly route. (See blue bins pictured at right.)
Fill the containers: Pretty easy stuff – let gravity do the work!
Empty the containers: When collectors fill up, the champions (or any able-bodied volunteers) dump the small containers into the larger ones (see step #2) for pickup by the Recycling Program.

How to get started:

Find a champion(s): All it takes is one or two committed people to keep the program going. Hopefully you’re one of those people!
Get permission: Good things usually speak for themselves, but do ask.
Assemble the materials:. Everything you’ll need to know is in the Resources section. Or call Matt Brewer at x8818.
Coordinate with the Campus Recycling Program. Call Delmy Emerson at x 4738.
Set up the collectors and the signs and get started. There’s no need for big announcements or mass emails – let the word spread.
Appreciate contributions and volunteers. Doing the right thing is contagious. A little extra effort makes a big difference!