Business Recycling Resources

No matter what kind of small business you have, you can do your part with recycling. Follow these Recycling Simplified guidelines.

Know What to Throw

Educate your employees and customers on what materials can and can’t be recycled.
Download and leverage our free business resources. Pin a quick reference guide on your office bulletin board or print labels for your office waste and recycling containers.

The poke test

Don’t Bag It.

As a small business, you may need to collect recyclables in a bag, but when employees go outside to empty the containers, please make sure they dump the recycling directly into the dumpster. Either reuse or discard the plastic bag, as it’s not recyclable curbside.

Bagged recyclables

Empty. Clean. Dry.®

Let employees and customers know that recyclables need to be free of food and liquid.

Retail: Employees should recycle only dry packaging from inventory shipments.

Restaurant: Employees should rinse bottles and cartons before recycling. If customers are taking food to go, remind them they can rinse the container afterward, then recycle.

Office: Employees can use the office sink to rinse bottles and cartons from lunch. They can also recycle dry paper.

Services: Employees can rinse product bottles before recycling them and remind customers to do the same.

Less than a teaspoon of liquid

Retail Recycling

What you can recycle

  • Cardboard packaging
  • Gift bags and most wrapping materials
  • Paper

What you shouldn’t recycle

  • Metal hangers
  • Clothing
  • Plastic wrap

Restaurant Recycling

What you can recycle

  • Clean plastic and cardboard takeout containers
  • Boxes from food and other supplies
  • Bottles from kitchen ingredients
  • Plastic cups

What you shouldn’t recycle

  • Soiled takeout containers
  • Plastic utensils, straws and polystyrene
  • Used napkins or paper towels

Office Recycling

What you can recycle

  • Manila folders and paper
  • Bottles and cans from the lunchroom
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Mail

What you shouldn’t recycle

  • Plastic utensils, straws and polystyrene
  • Shredded paper (unless contained in a paper bag)
  • Soiled coffee cups

Services Recycling

What you can recycle

  • Empty product bottles
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Paper

What you shouldn’t recycle

  • Product bottles with product still inside
  • Plastic wrap and plastic grocery bags
  • Used aluminum foil

Ready to Recycle Other Materials?

Paper Plastic Cardboard Metal