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Retail Operations
Recycling in your retail operation can actually help you sell product. By implementing a recycling program - and showing it off! - you will communicate to customers that you care about the environment and are cost-conscious. Packaging materials, particularly corrugated cardboard, make up a large portion of any retail store's waste. Because much of this waste is generated outside the retail establishment, reduction efforts must be made in cooperation with vendors.
Incoming packaging such as bags and boxes can be reused as packaging for customers. However, while this reduces disposal requirements, it does not solve the problem of unnecessary packaging. If vendors ship products in unnecessary or non-recyclable packaging, ask them to reduce packaging or switch to materials that can be recycled or reused.
Steps for Successful Recycling:
1. Most of your waste will be corrugated cardboard. To reduce volume and make storage easier, flatten and bale the corrugated cardboard. At the Logan Valley Mall in Altoona, they have installed a cardboard compactor.
2. Include recycling information in your orientation for new employees.
3. Educate the janitorial service and/or staff responsible for taking out the trash and recyclables about proper separation procedures.
4. Inform grounds crews of the reasons why yard waste should not be mixed with other wastes.
5. Make sure that managers of public areas in shopping complexes are provided with containers for recycling. At the Gallaria Mall in Johnstown, recycling bins are placed in a common area for managers to use.
6. Put up signs to tell customers that you recycle.