When it comes to establishing a strong recycling program, CleanRiver knows that effective commercial recycling bins are just one part of the sustainability journey. Having a good waste management plan is key to knowing what containers you need and ensuring your staff and visitors separate waste properly. This is why CleanRiver recycling solutions has proudly partnered in projects with Reduction In Motion. RIM is a waste and sustainability consultant who helps organizations improve their environmental footprint by better managing their waste. We sat down with Zach Hetrick from Reduction In Motion (RIM) to better understand their work and why working with CleanRiver is a win-win.

“What is Reduction In Motion?”

Reduction In Motion Sustainability is a journey of constant monitoring and improvement. Reduction In Motion helps businesses continue on their path to sustainability by improving waste management and increasing engagement in their environmental programs.

“What is your mission and how did RIM get founded?”

Our mission is to help organizations “change the way you think about trash”. We want to help businesses manage waste in the most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly way possible. We believe that a solid recycling program is fundamental to any strong environmental sustainability program because recycling is often first recognized when considering environmental impact. But it’s not clearly the only thing, so we work to help businesses grow an environmental program through staff engagement and industry-recognized best practices. Our president Bill Griffith founded Reduction In Motion in 2002. With previous experience managing solid and medical waste, he saw that hospitals were overclassifying regulated medical waste... and throwing out all of their recyclables. Our first client was a healthcare facility in the Baltimore region that we’ve been aiding on their sustainability journey ever since. Since then we have helped over 35 medical centers along with sports stadiums, convention centers, university campuses, office buildings, and commercial real estate developers.

“What services does RIM offer?”

We are not waste brokers or your average waste consultant, we do offer traditional waste consulting services such as audits, strategic planning, data tracking, and contract support. RIM goes further by providing the project management and recycling education necessary to instill long-term program success. We tailor proposals to meet a client’s current needs: 
  1. If you’re a real estate developer, we can help you with a waste management plan for your project to aid in purchasing commercial recycling containers or hauling equipment, and design waste holding and dock areas.
  2. If you’re an operations manager, we can assess your current waste management practices and put people on-site to help in best practice implementation and employee education.
  3. If you’re looking for a new waste hauler, we can help you develop a request for proposal or review submissions.
  4. If you’re looking to improve your company’s environmental impact, we can help you with a baseline gap analysis to determine your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
We offer free consults to anyone looking to improve waste management or their environmental impact.

“What are some of RIM’s major accomplishments as a business?”

We are so proud of the 185 awards that our clients have achieved for their waste and environmental/recycling program accomplishments. We were very excited to work on our first design and build project with a real estate developer to ensure waste management was considered from day 1 in the commercial real estate development process. Normally we are tasked with implementing recycling solutions after construction has already been completed, which is often too late. We also enjoy working with several green teams to facilitate annual environmental engagement events for employees like farmers’ markets and green recycling days.

“What impact is Reduction In Motion having in the Sustainability Industry”

Even with challenges in the international recycling market, we’ve still been able to maintain our clients’ diversion rates and prepare them for coming changes and opportunities…such as organics diversion.

“What are some of the most common waste challenges you see when working with different organizations?”

Here are a few common mistakes we see in recycling programs:
  • It can be difficult to understand the true, total cost of waste management for your organization. Waste invoicing is not always consistent and waste handling costs are often buried in an operational budget.
  • Not having the right waste hauling equipment and service schedule is the first challenge to correct to maximize cost savings and waste handling efficiency.
  • Overclassifying certain waste streams (ie, putting too much into the recycling or medical waste container) can have a serious impact on budgets and the environment.

“Any tips for businesses looking to get started on their sustainability journey/ initiative?”

We can’t stress enough that you need a good road map to get started, or you will get stuck just jumping from small project to small project and you’re not going to move the needle. In order to make progress, you need to design a recycling program - not just little green recycling projects.  We start every project regardless of what has or hasn’t been completed in the past with a comprehensive assessment. It’s always a good idea to know where you stand and where you can go. Once you know that, it’s time to build the right team and set smart goals.

“What are the biggest mistakes organizations make in regards to their waste diversion goals?”

One of the biggest mistakes we see is decisions made to waste contracts, hauling, containers, or operations without having accurate waste generation and cost data in front of them. Your waste haulers are pivotal players in your recycling program’s ability to meet its goals. However, haulers should not be relied upon for best practice strategy and implementation as they are not always incentivized or equipped to support what’s in your best interest in terms of costs, engagement, and impact. Don’t assume that the purchase of new commercial recycling bins, equipment, or hauler contracts will individually improve your waste diversion goals. Changing behavior requires these things, but you also need a system of appropriate procedures, training, and data monitoring. Data Pic for CleanRiver blog - April 2021

“What role do collection containers and graphics play in a successful program? Do you believe they are instrumental in supporting an increase in waste diversion?”

Containers and labels are incredibly important. We have a matter of seconds to get someone to separate their trash into the right containers. A strong commercial recycling bin and recycling graphics strategy makes reaching diversion goals possible. But a strategy is needed before making container and graphics selections because there’s no one-size-fits-all recycling bin or system.    recycling solutions Since every business is different, an initial waste audit helps determine the right size, shape, quantity, and streams needed for the recycling program. Think of commercial recycling bins as an investment! CleanRiver can help you leverage the costs. We are proud to partner with CleanRiver recycling solutions because they offer a variety of custom commercial and office recycling bins that can be tailored to effectively support the custom waste management programs that we design with our clients.  recycling solutions Two of CleanRiver’s most important benefits are:  CleanRiver is invested in their clients and as a commercial recycling bin manufacturer, they have spent countless hours figuring out what their customers’ needs are and are committed to continuously adapting their products to meet those needs. Looking for more sustainability solutions? Check out these other posts: bottom banner CleanRiver Recycling provides a variety of innovative, flexible, and customizable recycling solutions. To determine the right solution to meet your needs, use the CleanRiver product selector. If you have additional questions that weren’t answered in this blog post please call us at 1-866-479-4038 or email solutions@cleanriver.com.