How to Start a Recycling Collection Business
With the push to go green in all industries and communities, a recycling collection business has become a very viable business option. Years ago, attitudes were that only "tree-huggers" and old hippies recycled their used plastic, paper and aluminum cans. However, today, average citizens recycle these items and more. Providing people with an easy opportunity to get rid of their recyclable items helps the environment, but it could also help your pocketbook when you take their discards to the recycling center.
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Things You'll Need
- Collection receptacles Storage and drop-off location Collection vehicle
Instructions
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Research other recycling collection businesses in your area. Just duplicating what they do will not be enough to make your business profitable. Find a niche they are not currently serving, and start with that as your focus. Perhaps, other businesses work with residential collection. This leaves a big opportunity for you to talk to manufacturers, industries and businesses within your community. Or, conversely, if other businesses are currently taking care of the corporate sector, service residential needs. Also determine what items you will be collecting. Paper, aluminum and plastic are common recycled items.
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Find recycling centers for the items you decide to collect. Metal scrap yards are good sources for aluminum recycling. Keep up to date on the rates offered for various quantities of your items.
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Establish a collection and storage center. If funding is an issue, clean out your garage or basement, and use this as your beginning facility. Designate specific areas for the different products you choose to collect. Set up specific hours that customers can drop off their recyclables.
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Purchase or acquire collection receptacles for your customers. Providing them with containers in which to collect their items makes it easier for them and helps to ensure a larger quantity of items for you. Plastic bins or tubs are helpful, but if your budget is a concern, acquire sturdy cardboard boxes from businesses in your community. Often, businesses are happy to donate them. But, if they aren't, offer a small amount for them.
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Determine what you'll use for a collection vehicle. This could simply be your pickup truck, trailer or van. A covered method is best, so you can collect in inclement or windy weather.
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Market your business. Word-of-mouth advertising is the best. Join your local chamber of commerce, and attend its networking events faithfully. Post fliers in grocery stores and department stores. Let your city offices know so they can recommend you.
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Establish a schedule of collection and routes. Once you have some clients, base your initial schedule and route around them. Give them specific details about how you intend to collect their items. For instance, you might go into a business to collect its items but ask residential customers to leave their items by the curb.
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Tips & Warnings
Stay current on the value of your recyclable items.
