• U.S. Postal Service Office, Clifton, NJ
• Vital Signs, Inc. Totowa, N.J.
• Union Camp Corp. Headquarters
  Wayne, N.J.

Passaic County, New Jersey's Office Of Recycling And Solid Waste Programs Is Pleased To Be Able To Provide You With These Materials For Use By Other States, Districts And The General Public.

All We Ask Is That You Give Credit To Passaic County, New Jersey And Forward Two (2) Copies Of Your Material For Our Files To:

Passaic County
Office Of Recycling And Solid Waste Programs
1310 Route 23 North
Wayne, NJ 07404

Note: Report minimal administrative and transportation costs; mixed paper (includes newspaper, computer paper and bulk mail), aluminum beverage cans, and corrugated recycled; weight slip documentation sent by the post office to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.

* equivalent quantities

Report Date: 1991

Recycling Program Implementation

1. An evaluation of the recyclable materials generated by the post office revealed that large amounts of business class bulk mail and corrugated were being disposed of as regular trash. Modest amounts of newspaper, office and computer papers were also found. Only small amounts of aluminum beverage cans were generated.

2. Various marketing and vendor options were investigated to determine potential revenue and cost factors.

3. Since several recycling markets were in close proximity to the facility, a minimal amount of time would be necessary for staff to transport recyclables at the end of established routes. The postmaster determined that the most cost effective course would be to deliver the recyclable materials to a market and to pay for trash collection on a per container basis.

4. The collection system involved the use of several large cloth hampers for the mixed paper, a small container for the aluminum, and the allocation of space in the rear of the facility for short term storage of these materials as well as the flattened corrugated boxes.

5. Corrugated cartons are broken down as they are unpacked and the flattened cartons taken directly to the storage area to be stacked. The mixed paper is taken from smaller collection containers in work areas and offices to the hampers as it accumulates. The aluminum cans are collected in a small clearly-labeled container in the break room and are periodically bagged and placed with the other recyclables.

6. All of the staff are kept informed of the collection procedures and marketing arrangements.

7. Recyclable materials are taken to nearby markets regularly and documentation in the form of weight slips is sent directly to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator on a quarterly basis.

Back To Top

Offices With 50 Employees
Plant Operation With 200 Employees

Note: Weight slip documentation sent by the company coordinator to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.

Report Date: 1991

Recycling Program Implementation

1. Initially, the program was developed to target recycling of large volumes of corrugated generated by the firm. It was estimated that this represented approximately 50% to 60% of the solid waste stream.

2. Several marketing and vendor options were investigated to determine potential revenue and cost factors. The vendor chosen provided necessary pick-up services and offered the highest revenue return.

3. The immediate success of the collection and marketing of recyclable corrugated led to the purchase of a bailer for ease in handling as well as higher revenue. The bailer paid for itself in revenue and cost savings within six months.

4. From this start an evaluation of other recyclable materials generated by the company was made. The waste audit revealed that large amounts of computer paper and polyethylene film were being disposed of as regular trash. Modest amounts of aluminum beverage cans, office paper, scrap metals and wooden pallets were also generated.

5. Again recycling markets were evaluated to determine the most cost effective course of action. Additionally, donations from the sale of recyclable materials to charitable organizations were incorporated into the evaluation. Recycling will be expanded as market arrangements are finalized.

6. The collection system involves the use of a bailer for corrugated, work station collection containers, gaylords and compactor for computer paper, individual office collection boxes and central collection containers for office paper and several small containers for the aluminum. All recyclable materials are picked up by the maintenance staff periodically and stored at the loading dock for vendor pick-up.

7. Corrugated cartons are taken directly to the bailer as they are unpacked in the receiving area. The computer paper and office paper is taken from smaller collection containers in work areas and offices to the larger central collection containers or gaylords as it accumulates. Office paper is stored in gaylords and computer paper is compacted. The aluminum cans are collected in a small clearly- labeled containers in the break room and by the vending machine and are periodically bagged and placed with the other recyclables.

8. All of the employees are kept informed of the collection procedures and donations through the company newsletter as an incentive for employee participation.

9. Documentation in the form of weight slips is sent to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator on a quarterly basis.

Back To Top

150,000 Square Foot Building With 460 Employees

Note: Company reports minimal administrative and no transportation costs; trash and recyclables picked up on a daily basis; mixed and compacted paper sorted by the recycling vendor and weight slip documentation sent directly to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator.

Report Date: 1991

Recycling Program Implementation

1. The program was carefully researched and planned to afford for maximum recycling in an office setting. It was estimated that various types of paper represented between 80% to 90% of the company's solid waste stream.

2. After weighing various marketing options, and taking into account storage space limitations, a mixed paper market providing rental of an eight cubic yard compactor with full maintenance service contract and direct tonnage reporting to the municipality was secured.

3. A capital investment was made for the installation of a concrete pad for the compactor.

4. Traditional office waste containers placed at each desk are used for paper collection with several clearly labeled 20 gallon containers placed strategically on each floor for trash collection.

5. The maintenance staff collects recyclables and trash nightly, taking mixed paper (which includes white ledger, copy paper, cardboard, newspaper, corrugated, envelopes and books) directly to the compactor and trash (wet kitchen waste, carbon paper, maintenance waste and bulky debris) directly to the dumpster, both located by the loading dock.

6. The success of this system is attributed to the fact that company policy prohibits food in work station areas.

7. The recycling vendor collects materials on a daily basis and sends documentation in the form of weight slips directly to the Municipal Recycling Coordinator on a quarterly basis.

Back To Top