Recycling strategies

Recycling strategies

Ongoing education and promotion of recycling initiatives and policies are crucial to eliminate contaminates, improve collection rates and instil a culture of sustainable behaviour. Regular monitoring, review and adjustments are also a critical ingredient for making sure the system works well, suits the workplace environment and reflects industry best practice.



In the office

Reuse or recycle printing cartridges

– All toner cartridges from printers, photocopiers and fax machines are now recyclable, as are most printer ink cartridges. Send cartridges back to the supplier or manufacturer or use a Cartridges 4 Planet Ark collection outlet. There are a number of outlets where you can take cartridges, including Australia Post, Harvey Norman, Tandy or Dick Smith.

Reduce paper waste

– Use multi-page, duplexing or double-sided printing and copying. Investigate the paper saving settings and functions within the print options on your printer, fax and copier. Print on demand, only when needed. Promote electronic document storage and dissemination. Use and purchase office equipment with network or file storage capability.

Manage and plan for "life"

– Look at ways to extend the life and value of existing resources and materials. Recycle and redeploy unspent or partially used materials.

Improve collection rates

– Promote and provide recycling facilities. Place them in obvious and convenient locations, at the waste source. Office paper is easily handled and reprocessed yet much is still lost to landfill. Do an audit of paper use and disposal, and set targets for reducing waste.

Use products

– Do some research before purchasing new office equipment. Confirm availability of consumables based on recycled elements. For example some printing cartridges are produced with recycled materials and recycled papers are also available. Confirm the equipment supports the use of products and carry out tests to see which product performs best.

See the easy guides and "Waste reduction and recycling in offices" fact sheet for more information.



In industry

Cleaner Production case studies



Hundreds of NSW companies are discovering that Cleaner Production not only protects the environment but also significantly reduces operating costs.



These case studies demonstrate how each of the companies participating in the program have not only significantly reduced their financial return but have also improved their environmental performance through Cleaner Production initiatives, clearly a win for industry and a win for the environment.



Aircraft manufacturer flying high with Cleaner Production - Hawker de Havilland

Water heater company turns up the heat on Cleaner Production - Rheem Australia

Cleaner 'business as usual' for supply chain and logistics company - Siemens Dematic

Green printing reaps dividends - Focus Press

Industrial estate cleans up over $1.2 million in savings - Fairfield City Council and Smithfield Wetherill Park Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Cleaner production a conduit for sustainability - Vinidex

Ozone company cleans up the laundry - O3 Wash

Cleaning the way to a sustainable future - JohnsonDiversey

Concrete recycling scheme ideal solution for waste - Pumperdump

Cleaner way forward for anodising company - Universal Anodisers

Liquid Composites: search for a 'better way' boosts efficiency - Licotec

Diving deep in search of a sustainable future - Thales

Dairy gains for the environment through increased productivity - Drury dairy farm

Dairy profits from planning and innovation - Hurrell dairy farm

Virtual Manufacturing: big saving opportunities for tooling industry - Austool

Recycled timber dunnage a win for shipping industry - Illawarra S & N Enterprise

Waste reduction and avoidance

Waste reduction and recycling go hand-in-hand. Understand and explore the waste issues and recycling opportunities in specific industry sectors:


Waste Reduction in Office Buildings : Guide for Tenants and Building Managers

Auto dismantlers

Auto servicing & mechanical repairers

Builders

Car yards

Composites industry

Concreting

Dry cleaners

Food sense (hospitality industry)

Foundry industry

Landscaping

Marinas, boatsheds and slipways

Mobile businesses

Painters

Photographic film & paper processors

Printers

Retail food businesses

Service stations

Shopping centre management

Small factories

Smash repairers