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Get Tenants and Staff Involved

A successful waste-reduction program depends on tenant and staff awareness and participation. Be sure to clearly communicate program requirements, goals and achievements.

Consider the following steps

Step 1: Training

• Train new employees and stress the importance of the program.
• Re-train staff on a regular basis, focusing on problem areas and new systems or procedures.
• Create and distribute an orientation guide outlining the program and its requirements.
• Designate a point-person in each department to answer recycling questions.

Step 2: Marketing and Communications

• Create a program name (and logo if possible) to include on all communications.
• Develop and maintain an orientation guide (one pager or full detailed binder depending on the scale of your program) that includes all the key elements of the program.
• Meet with staff to address any questions or concerns.
• Publish a program newsletter or bulletin.

Step 3: Proper Signage

• Make signs clear and easy to read.
• Use both images and text – images work best as they are universal.
• Mount posters and displays in common areas.

Step 4: Rewards and Recognition

• Promote any recognition your program receives to motivate tenants and staff.
• Hold morale-building events like a barbeque or a party to recognize waste-reduction efforts.
• Develop theme weeks to encourage employee engagement.

Step 5: Monitoring

• Engage your cleaning staff to help monitor staff participation.
• Monitor and evaluate the program to ensure its viability and success. Track any revenue as well as avoided costs, such as:
  • Recycling revenues
  • Amount of waste reduced
  • Amount of waste diverted
  • Lower hauling fees
  • Reduced purchasing or operating costs
  • Avoided regulatory and compliance expenses
• Schedule quarterly program meetings for all managers to assess current practices and discuss ways to improve the program.
• Have designated program leads remind tenants staff that this is a serious, monitored waste-reduction program.
• Clearly communicate the consequences of not following the program.
• Develop reminder notices that can be handed out to staff whose waste-reduction efforts are unsatisfactory.