Adopting A Recycling Mindset

Julie Graverson

These days, more and more companies are incorporating recycling into their standard operating procedures. According to Julie Graverson, Chief Operations Officer of Sellars Absorbent Materials, recycling has always been a matter of course in the paper industry. Now, based on her 40-plus years of experience, Graverson offers the following advice for businesses that would like to implement a recycling program or increase the amount of materials they’re capturing and getting paid for.

Conduct An Audit

The first step is to take a close look at what materials are currently going to landfill. Identify the metals, wood, plastics, glass and paper products that could be repurposed or recycled and catalog where they’re being generated. Are they packing materials that are unwrapped at the receiving dock or are they an element or byproduct of the manufacturing process?

As part of the internal audit, talk with employees who are on the ground and working with the materials. Oftentimes, they can identify opportunities to gather and collect recyclables in an efficient manner.

Don’t limit yourself. Expand the audit to encompass all waste — not just recyclables. While a comprehensive audit takes more time, it delivers a complete picture of a company’s waste stream and helps identify patterns and factors that lead to the production of waste. It can also uncover ways to improve operating efficiency and reduce or, in some cases, eliminate the consumption of raw materials.

Involve Your Waste Hauler

Once the internal audit is complete, initiate a conversation with your waste management provider and share your findings. Professional waste companies can review your report and make suggestions for additional ways to reduce waste and increase recycling.

They can also recommend waste handling systems to make your entire waste and recycling process cleaner, more efficient and streamlined. In fact, some waste management companies estimate they can help cut waste management costs by 15-45 percent.

Of course, not all commercial and industrial recycling programs will experience the higher end of the spectrum results but even a small amount of savings is a positive.

Think Long Term

Bring research and development into the conversation and challenge them to evaluate whether byproducts and excess materials can be reused within existing products or if there’s a new product that can be developed.

While it’s not a process that’s going to happen overnight, it does deliver benefits down the road. More than two decades ago, Sellars identified an opportunity to collect the trimmings from its DRC wipers and incorporate the waste into its absorbent pads. Over the years, Sellars’ ability to provide recycled content products has differentiated it in the marketplace, delivering a competitive advantage to the company and its sales force.

The long-term outlook should take into consideration recycling, as well as other elements. Packaging is an opportunity where a green lens can make a difference and lead to savings. Reusing materials, reducing the amount of packaging or switching to a recycled option for packing materials can help trim costs while earning goodwill with external audiences.

Spread The Message

Internally, communication is key to the successful rollout of any new initiative since it’s important that employees embrace and participate in the effort. If communication is lacking, results typically lag. To jumpstart engagement, consider incorporating a recognition and/or reward program for employees who embrace the program and actively support it.

Externally, if your company adopts green initiatives, be sure to share that with your key audiences. The green message resonates with many and demonstrates your company is embracing innovative, 21^st century solutions.

For companies that make consumer-facing products, consider a third-party certification program. UL Solutions offers its UL2809, Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for recycled content. Companies that successfully complete the evaluation are able to use the ECVP mark, which quickly identifies their product as containing a certain percentage of recycled content.

“Sometimes businesses are afraid to start because they think it’s going to be an overwhelming and time-consuming process,” Graverson said. “Starting small is imperative and then gradually expand the program, based on the initial successes.”

Decades ago, recycling was considered fringe but today it’s embraced by companies and consumers around the world. If you’ve been on the fence about implementing a recycling program, now is the time to make the leap.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Sellars is a leading manufacturer of shop towels, multi-use disposable wipers, towel and tissue and absorbent products. Sellars’ products, which are sold under the ToolBox^®, Clean Task^® and Mayfair^® brands, are made from recycled and renewable materials, are high performance and good for the environment. Sellars is committed to using sustainable practices in all business areas while serving our people, customers and the planet. Learn more about Sellars’ nearly 40 years of innovation by visiting Sellars.com or call 1-800-237-8454 ext. 2.