ABC Recycling Bill
House Bill 1518 Overview
Passed during the 2005 legislative session, North Carolina House Bill 1518 requires holders of on-premises malt beverage, on-premises unfortified wine, on-premises fortified wine and mixed beverage Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) permits to separate, store and recycle all recyclable beverage containers. Type of containers to recycle: aluminum cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles. House Bill 1518 becomes effective January 1, 2008.
Planning your Recycling Program
Planning and implementing a cost-effective recycling program at your establishment is easier than you might think. By doing so you are complying with state law, saving money on disposal costs and enhancing your business’ image. Good planning is key in the success of your program.
Gain Management Support
Management support is critical to the success of your program. In gaining support, it’s important to communicate effectively to show how a recycling program may impact the company’s bottom line and to help all employees understand the benefits.
Management support can include:
- Implementing company-wide recycling policies
- Allocating resources (personnel and money)
- Providing employees with ongoing communication about the program’s successes
Choose a Coordinator
Who’s the best candidate in your business? You will need someone who is enthusiastic about recycling issues and can communicate well with co-workers, custodial staff and management. Recruit that motivated individual to coordinate your recycling program.
The coordinator can be responsible for:
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Organizing the program
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Negotiating contracts and working with service providers
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Teaching employees how to recycle
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Ensuring that recyclables are ready for pickup
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Telling everyone in the business about program goals and successes
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Procuring equipment
Collection
Determine how the recyclable materials will be handled. Will you hire a private hauler to collect the materials or will you self-haul them to a recycling drop-off that accepts materials from businesses?
Haulers offer different services and collect a variety of recyclable materials. Check with several haulers about their services. Ask for references. Questions to ask when considering a recycling hauler:
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What materials do they collect?
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Do the bottles and cans need to be sorted or can they be commingled (mixed together in one container)?
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Will they provide internal containers for your recyclables, and if so, at what cost?
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What type of internal collection containers do they recommend for your business?
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What type of external collection containers are the recyclables picked up in?
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Will they provide decals and/or signage for the recycling containers?
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Is there a minimum amount of materials required for collection?
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Are pickups regularly scheduled or on an on-call basis?
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How frequently will they pick up your recyclables?
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Do they charge to pick up materials, accept at no charge or pay your company for materials?
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What are their payment terms?
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Do they already pick up recyclables from neighboring businesses?
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Can they provide your business with solid data on how much material your business is recycling?
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Do they require (or does your company want) a contract for services?
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Will they discount services if they collect your business’ garbage and recycling?
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Do they have educational materials for your employees?
Licensed Solid Waste and Recycling Haulers in Wake County
Costs
Possible costs associated with starting a recycling program:
- Purchase or rental of internal or external containers
- Ongoing collection charges by recycling haulers
- Costs of transporting materials to a local drop-off center if not contracting with a hauling company
- Processing fees
- Signage and other informational materials
Tips for controlling costs:
- Thoroughly research recycling services – haulers compete for customers.
- Determine whether purchasing the containers for your business is more cost-effective than having the hauler include them as part of their service.
- Use opportunities to commingle materials to reduce labor (to separate recyclables) and the number of containers used.
- Most importantly, thoroughly examine your level of waste services and explore the possibility of reducing those services once recycling is implemented (less waste will be going into your garbage container).
If you’re in a multi-tenant building, contact neighboring businesses or your property management company to find out:
- Are they already recycling?
- Who is their recycling and/or solid waste hauler?
- What suggestions do they have based on their experiences?
- Can you consolidate your efforts and reduce collection costs?
Starting your Recycling Program
Employee participation is critical to the success of your program. If you want strong employee participation, you’ll need to educate employees about the program and make it easy for everyone to participate.
Hold training sessions at staff meetings. Invite your recycling hauler to the meeting. Someone should be prepared to answer questions, provide encouragement and discuss the benefits of your company’s recycling program. Provide literature explaining the benefits of recycling. Your recycling hauler may be able to supply educational materials.
To publicize or promote your program consider making recycling posters, decals or banners. Once your program is launched, continue to encourage input and ideas from customers, staff and management. To help ensure employee participation post or electronically circulate an announcement highlighting that the new program has full management support is a priority for the business and is the law. Be sure to mention:
- The commitment of the business to reducing waste and recycling
- The new procedures being adopted
- The recycling coordinator’s name and phone number
- That innovative ideas and solutions from employees are welcome
Sustaining your Recycling Program
After you have launched your new recycling program, you will want to ensure its continued success. Let management know how the program is helping the bottom line. Company-wide and public recognition will keep employees motivated and enthusiastic.
Track your success
It’s important to monitor and evaluate the program to ensure its viability and success. To demonstrate that the program is cost-effective, track any income generated from the sale of recyclables and any savings in disposal costs. Ask your hauler to provide data on the quantity of materials recycled.
Keep employees informed and involved
Provide regular updates to customers, employees and management about the program. Everyone likes to hear a good word. Employees need to know that their commitment helps achieve the program’s goals. Positive communication and employee recognition are critical to the long-term success of the program. Post announcements on how much is recycled each month. Emphasize the program’s success. Remember to reward good behavior! Consider giving awards to employees who have shown creativity, initiative or innovative strategies for recycling.
Get recognition for your efforts
When your business joins the hundreds of other businesses already recycling, say so! Publicize your efforts by getting the message to employees, management and the public. When you make the commitment to recycle, you’re helping to reduce waste and improve the environment – the public, including your customers, will appreciate that.
Tips on getting the word out:
- Post signs in public areas of your company that state "We Recycle."
- Let the public know about your commitment. Send news releases about your efforts to local papers, trade and environmental publications.
- Help other businesses set up their own programs. Speak about your program at business meetings and seminars.
- Let the community know your business cares.
Technical Assistance
If you need assistance establishing a recycling program contact the Wake County Solid Waste Management Division. We can provide you with the following technical assistance:
- Recycling Container Grant for Wake County ABC permit holders
- Identify recycling haulers
- Provide recommendations on self-waste assessments
- Assist with the design of a collection system
- Commercial Waste Reduction Grants are available to Wake County businesses to start, expand or improve their waste reduction and/or recycling program. See our website for more information.
- Trash Takers – find haulers, drop off sites and locate markets.
- Partnership to Recycle – download signage for containers and ads to promote your program.
For more information about House Bill 1518: