Recycle at Work
Economic Benefits
Use these basic steps as a guide to determine the cost-benefits of establishing a recycling program in your business:
Step 1 - Quantify units for current disposal and examine overall trash removal services. For example, XYZ Company pays $2,304 in disposal costs.
Step 2 - Quantify recycling potential. XYZ Company estimates that at least 50 percent of their waste is mixed office paper and decides to establish a paper recycling program. Trash and recyclables are now picked up one day per week from two separate 6-yard containers. XYZ Company pays $1,884 for trash and recycling services.
Containers Used |
Trash Removal Service |
Annual Cost |
Cost-Benefit |
|
Existing: |
6 yard |
2 days/week |
$2,304 |
-- |
Projected: |
6 yard |
1 day/week |
$1,884
|
-- |
6 yard |
1 day/week |
$420 |
Step 3 - Estimate the economic benefits. Since the disposal of paper previously cost XYZ Company $2,304 annually and now costs $1,884, the savings, or cost-benefit, is $420.
The 