Engineering Better Recycling (Pt. 4)

Welcome to Part 4 of our How to Recycle Like a Pro mini-series. Weeks 1–3 of our series explored where your recycling goes, partnering with your hauler, and building a culture of recycling. In our 4th part of the series, we focus on recycling as a system; how intentional design drives results and makes it easier for people to do the right thing.

Reduction In Motion President and Head Trash Talker, Bill Griffith, shares key strategies for engineering effective recycling programs.

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Recycling Doesn’t Happen by Chance

“Recycling success isn’t random. It’s a result of intentional design,” Bill explains.

Where bins are placed, how they’re labeled, the type of lids used, and how often they’re serviced all impact whether people recycle correctly. Even in well-designed systems, attention to detail is essential. Assign someone, even part-time, to monitor the program and adjust as needed.

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The Value of Data & Waste Audits

Even if your recycling program is established, regular data collection can reveal opportunities to improve:

• Waste Audits: Weigh and sort all materials, using color-coded bags for clarity (e.g., black for trash, green for recycling).
• Identify Missed Opportunities: Measure what’s recyclable vs. non-recyclable and refine education programs accordingly.
• Inform Training: Use pictures and audit results to update signs, staff training, and communications.

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Maximizing Diversion & Approaching Zero Waste

Zero waste facilities aim to divert 90% of all waste from landfill, including organics, plastics, metals, and fiber. Achieving this is easier in controlled environments like manufacturing, while most stadiums, universities, and public spaces face challenges due to external waste sources.

Post-sorting, or manually sorting waste after collection, is a proven strategy to capture material that may have been misplaced, especially in facilities serving guests or visitors who may not fully understand the system.

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Small System Changes, Big Impact

Even with a limited budget, small adjustments can dramatically improve recycling rates:

1. Bin Placement & Pairing: Place trash and recycling bins side-by-side so disposal is intuitive.
2. Consistent Design: Use uniform lids and openings to indicate what belongs where. Restrictive openings can prevent contamination in recycling.
3. Size Appropriateness: Ensure bins match the volume of material generated in each area.
4. Consistency & Maintenance: Missing or mismatched bins create confusion. Number each bin or mark locations to ensure they return to the correct spot, building muscle memory for users.

Example: A stadium revised its bin system at the point on entry after auditing the contents of bins at the security gates. Rather than having paired recycling and trash at every waste station, they determined the overwhelming majority of the items being disposed were beverage containers. So, by adjusting bin types and placement, they transitioned 90% of the bins to solo recycling bins to capture primarily beverage containers and only minimal trash right beside the security stations for any confiscated or prohibited items they were able to significantly boost their recycling rates with minimal contamination.

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Key Takeaways

• Recycling is a system, not a guessing game. Every detail – design, placement, lids, servicing, and monitoring matters.
• Data drives improvement: Conduct audits, measure diversion, and update training regularly.
• Start small, scale methodically: Even limited-budget interventions can yield high impact if implemented thoughtfully.

“Consistency is key. The bins, the lids, the placement. If it is all consistent, people build muscle memory and do the right thing,” Bill emphasizes.

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Although we originally planned a 4-week series, we thought a little bonus would be fun! Next week, tune in for a brief Bonus Feature — Reflections for America Recycles Day. Bill Griffith will share his final thoughts on what recycling means today, the lessons from our series, and a look ahead at where recycling is headed next.