Your recycling bin: It's just the beginning
A recycling bin is an obvious improvement over a dumpster. But, just like with trash, once materials go into a recycling bin,
they're out of sight and mind. Your responsibility for these materials doesn't end there. It's actually just beginning.
The Recycling System
. The first arrow (below) represents the collection of materials.
. The second arrow (blue) represents, the manufacturing of these materials into new products and goods.
. The third arrow (green) represents, the purchase of these recycled content goods, which is also
called "closing the loop," because the 3rd arrow links or closes the recyling loop.
Why Buy Recycled?
The City has a tremendous opportunity to help conserve resources and build the market for recycled products. Your
recycling (collection) program helps you save money (by cutting waste volume and disposal costs), and can even generate
revenue (from the sale of materials). When you buy recycled products made from materials collected in programs like yours,
you can help create and sustain demand and therefore the market for these materials. Ironically, what you throw away can
help guide you in your purchasing practice. Every industry has a unique waste profile. Business that consumes lots of
plastics, for example, could help close the recycling loop by buying recycled plastic products or using recycled feedstock
for their manufacturing processes.
A Gallup poll showed that over 70% of consumers prefer stores that recycle or offer recycled products. Other businesses
report they made the switch to recycled products as a result of customers' requests.
Southern California ship much of its recycled material, particularly paper, to resource-poor foreign markets. But
or easy overseas access has slowed developments of domestic markets. Even if foreign demand for our waste materials
continues at the same level, California must find markets for approximately 7-8 Millions tons of waste materials each
year, beginning in the year 2000.
Implementing a Buy Recycled Program
Here are simple steps to encourage everyone to Buy Recycled:
.Upper Management Support Many programs begin with an enthusiastic employee. But without management support, programs are difficult to maintain.
.Acknowledgement of barriers Be prepared by researching barriers...such as resistance to change, contract language that prohibits recycled products, outdated products specs and performance standards.
.Written policies and goals Don't just say it; write it, and make things easier for everyone. Set specific goals like the exclusive purchase of copier paper, or 85% of all paper products will have recycled content. Make sure you have a system in place to track your progress.
.Employee education Use newsletters, staff meetings, and bulletin boards to explain how buying recycled products is really recycling, and recycled products save resources, energy and valuable landfill space.
.Communication with vendors Tell your vendors you want recycled products; ask for specialized recycled products catalogs; schedule manufacturers product demonstrations or Q&A sessions. Make your dollars talk. Put them to work buying recycled!
.Take it back, please Work with your vendors and suppliers to take back "spent" or used products which can be repaired, remanufactured, reused, and recycled. For free Recycle Envelopes, fax your request to (310) 791-6374.
.City ordinances Do you know that there are two City ordinances on the procurement of products with recycled content? ORDINANCE 170485 gives a ten percent (10%) price preference to bidders offering products with recycled content and meeting specifications. ORDINANCE 168313 has provisions relating to the "Recycled Products Purchasing Program." Before you purchase a product, supply or service... before you award any contract, make that economic decision... consider products with recycled content. " Buy recycled and help close the loop!"
