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Keeping Employees Productive

2 Things To Consider Before Buying A Single-Stream Recycling Container

16 September 2022

Grace Hanson

Single-stream recycling can be an effective option for businesses. Here, you load all your recycling into one container without having to sort it. Your recycling company removes your collected items at specified times and does the sorting for you.

While this makes office recycling a faster and easier process, this option only really works if you choose the right container system for your needs. What do you need to know?

1. What Size of Container Do You Need?

Single-stream recycling containers come in various sizes from small boxes to large bins. You need to find the right size of container for your needs. So, try to estimate how much recycling you will typically collect.

Also, think about how often your waste contractor can take away your recycling and clear the bin. Their schedule affects the number of recycled items you'll have to keep on site until they are collected.

Remember that you'll soon run out of space if your container is too small. You might need to book ad hoc pick-ups. This increases your recycling costs.

While buying a larger container gives you more space to work with and a reduced need for pick-ups, you also have to think about where the container will go. You need a container that fits in your available space either inside or outside your building.

2. Do You Need Multiple Containers?

While single-stream recycling typically uses one main container, you might need to buy some additional products to create an effective recycling system. For example, you might need to buy extra small boxes or bags to hold items in different areas of your business.

If your company works out of different floors in a building, or if your recycling container can't go in or close to your office, then people might not recycle as much as they should. They might not have the time to collect items and take them to your container immediately.

So, people might start throwing items away rather than recycling them. Your offices might start to look messy if people pile up recyclables to deal with later.

Here, you can supplement your main container with smaller recycling units. For example, you can put a recycling bag or small box on every floor in your building. Someone can then take the recycling down to your main container whenever the bag or box is full. This helps you create a more effective and efficient recycling system.

For more advice, contact commercial recycling container suppliers and ask about their single-stream products. 

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