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As you work toward your goal of both cost savings and sustainability, here are some questions to keep in mind when you discuss and plan with your waste hauler:
- What streams are you able to collect? (Recycling, compost, trash, beverage containers…)
- Do recyclables need to be separated or does the hauler have an MRF to separate recyclable material?
- What is the acceptable contamination level in the recycling stream?
- Will you be penalized for a higher level of contamination? And if yes, what are the penalties?
- Are there any charges for the processing of recyclable materials? Will you be charged the same price for the collection of recyclables as garbage?
- Will you receive a rebate for the collection of recycling?
- Does your waste hauler allow for contracts to change over time as new guidelines are set and new facilities become available?
- Where do the recyclables go after they have been picked up and processed?
- Are there more rebates available to you based on an increase in the amount of recyclable materials diverted from the landfill?
- Does your contract automatically renew? Or will your waste hauler notify you of when it is up for renewal so you can review the terms and conditions?
- Does your waste hauler collect when you call and notify them that the bin is full or do they come on a regular schedule whether the bin is full or not?
- Do you receive weight tickets after pickup? If not, why not?
- Would it be financially beneficial for you to separate your high-grade white paper based on volume?
Once you know the details of your waste hauling contract you can delve deeper into your current situation to identify areas of potential cost reduction.
- Frequency of collection: Keep an eye on how quickly the bins fill up and change the frequency of collection to reduce costs instantly.
- Separated or co-mingle: After you determine whether your waste hauler requires you to mix recycling or separate it, sometimes they may be willing to charge less for collecting items that have already been separated.
- Weight tickets: Your waste hauler will provide weight tickets when they collect your garbage, hold onto these and compare each pickup. If the first collection of the week is typically lighter, combine trash with the mid-week pick up to reduce costs.
- Compost: Your waste hauler may also collect compost, which is a commodity so you would be charged less than you would for regular garbage.
Just keep in mind that every township and waste hauling service varies so asking them directly is the way to go!
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Want to live a greener lifestyle? Check out these other blogs on sustainable recycling programs and recycling grants:
- 5 Steps On How To Get A Recycling Grant
- The 6 Things Your Recycling Program Is Probably Missing
- How to Encourage Recycling in the Workplace – 5 Simple Tips
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.
