Midpoint International Inc.
Sample Program Launch Handout #2
WE’RE SWITCHING OVER TO THE ‘GREEN POWER’ RECYCLING PROGRAM.
On Monday, April 22 (Earth Day), we’re plugging into our new “Green Power” recycling program. I’m one of the Green Captains whose job it is to make sure that we all understand the program so we can all support it and make it work.
Recent waste audits (auditors went through our garbage to see what recyclable materials we were throwing out) show the following results:
We’re currently recycling 39 tonnes of paper, bottles and cans per year.
But, we’re also throwing out 16 tonnes of garbage every year.
The waste audits show that 35% of that garbage (5.6 tonnes) should
be going into recycling instead.
We’d like to bring down that number by at least 2.8 tonnes (50%).
And that’s where you and Green Power come in!
Here’s how the program works:
We are able to recycle many more materials. We use a desktop tray to recycle paper products and empty it when full into a central unit. We also recycle bottles, cans, polystyrene (#6) and other plastics (#1, 2) in these units. Everyone’s deskside garbage bin is removed on Friday, April 19 after work hours. It’s replaced with a desktop mini garbage bin which we empty into the same central unit (which contains garbage and recycling slots). Janitorial staff no longer go from desk to desk emptying garbage.
The Administration complex is the first to switch to Green Power - so it’s up to us to lead the way and to challenge other buildings to reduce their garbage as much as we do. (I’ll be sending out information about a site challenge when all the buildings have the Green Power program in place).
Some facts to remember when you feel “Oh, what’s the point of recycling”?
Making bottles from recycled glass reduces water pollution by 50% and
air pollution by 20%.
Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves 17 trees being logged for virgin pulp. Remember trees are the lungs of the planet so keeping trees helps us
all breathe a little easier.
Reducing garbage reduces the need for landfill space in our community and reduces pollution. In the future, it will also reduce our garbage waste disposal costs. Increasing recycling gives resources to environmental industries which means they use virgin materials less.
Please turn overleaf for a quick reference on how to effectively recycle your materials.
| Desktop Bins | What materials go in each bin |
| Green recycling tray | All paper-type waste, i.e., white and colored paper, photocopier paper, fax paper, envelopes with windows, kraft envelopes, file folders, post-it notes, etc. |
| Mini garbage bin | Everything that isn’t recyclable, i.e., kleenex, foil, candy wrappers, envelopes with plastic lining, food waste, coffee grinds, tea bags, etc. |
| Central Recycling Unit | What materials go in each bin |
| ‘Paper’ slot | All paper-type waste, i.e., white and colored paper, photocopier paper, fax paper, envelopes with windows, kraft envelopes, file folders, post-it notes, etc. NB No courier or envelopes with plastic lining - these are garbage |
| ‘Newspaper’ slot | Newspapers, magazines, flyers, boxboard, etc. |
| ‘Polystyrene’ slot | Coffee cups, food containers, plates, knives, forks (check for #6 and/or PS written on the container). You can also put packaging shapes (computer packaging) and peanut shapes in this slot. |
| Bottles Cans Plastics slots | Glass bottles, cans, #1 & 2 plastics (pop and water bottles) NB Please don’t put Toner Bottles in here. Please call the manufacturer to return them for reuse. |
| ‘Garbage’ slot | Everything that isn’t recyclable, i.e., kleenex, foil, candy wrappers, envelopes with plastic lining, food waste, coffee grinds, tea bags, etc. |
| Cardboard Centre | Flatten all cardboard boxes, etc., going into this container. |
Thanks very much for supporting our new program. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at: ______________. And please remember, deskside garbage bins disappear on Friday night, April 19.
Don’t forget to come along to the launch in the cafeteria on Monday April 22. We’ll have a display as well as a draw with some exciting prizes.
See you there.
______________________
Green Captain