Selecting A Recycling Vendor

Several types of companies collect or accept recyclables.  Very often, the company that services your organization for waste collection also provides recycling collection service (usually for an additional fee).  Depending on the material type, recyclables can also be sold directly the processor who prepares them for the end user, e.g., toner cartridges.  Additionally, there are organizations that specialize in the collection of specific materials, such as electronics, and serve as demanufacturers and/or brokers to end users or processors.

Regardless of which type of recycler (or recyclers) you choose, buyers of recovered materials will be interested in both the quality and the quality of your recyclables.  These factors will often influence whether you will be charged, paid for your recyclables, or are able to obtain collection service at no cost. 

• Quantity Issues. Accumulating sufficient quantities of recyclables is important because it is not always cost effective for vendors to handle and transport small amounts of material.  Cooperative efforts with other businesses can raise the volume of recyclables so that collection service becomes a viable option.  Consider forming a cooperative based on location (check with neighboring businesses) or property management (check with other tenants).

• Quality Issues.  Interest from vendors will depend also on the extent to which the materials are clean, consistent, and contaminant-free. Some of the vendors listed in our database provide specific quality requirements and explain how the material must be sorted and/or prepared.

If your business is located within Miami-Dade County, refer to Step 4 to locate recycling vendors for specific materials.  Otherwise, check the listing available at http://www.earth911.org/  for recyclers in your area.