Recycling Ideas? 3

[olixus]

Hi and thank you for taking the time to read,

I work for a distribution center where A LOT of boxes are tossed in the trash daily. This is a big problem environmentaly and is done without automation, hence we pay someone to do a job with no direct return. We do have an automated recycling system with conveyors leading to a compression compartiment, but it doesn't cover all of the warehouse and therefore is not perfectly used. I would say 50% of the carbdoard is recyled because it is near the conveyors. However, as mentionned, the rest is just tossed in the nearest trash barrel.

I am coming to you today because I would like to know if anyone has any form of ideas with the lowest cost possible. I am a young engineer and, hence, have little experience. We have asked the workers to bring the cardboard to the recycling conveyors, but not only do they avoid doing it, but it does add extra time while stopping production.

Lastly, we can't add extra conveyors due to cost and lack of space.

Once again, thank you for reading,

Olixus

 

[BillPSU]

Management has to get behind the recycling effort. If managemnt doesn't see recycling as a priority you will never get people to follow procedures. You need to talk with your supervisor and get clarification if this project is a priority or just someone's wish list.

BillPSU

 

[btrueblood]

We have roll-around bins, approx 2 cubic meters, that we locate at receiving areas to collect cardboard. Once or twice per day, this gets rolled to the recycling container and dumped.

 

[tomwalz]

It is sort of a belief system like preventive maintenance or keeping your work area clean.

It is part of your corporate culture either way.

Maybe bins on pallets for non-conveyor areas. Maybe weigh it and throw some money into a pizza fund.

Engineering is easy. Corporate culture is hard.

Maybe get buy-in from an unofficial small group leader, one of the "cool kids".

Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[mcgyvr]

we have trash cans for "trash" and another can right next to it for cardboard.. At the end of the day or as needed the cardboard cans get dumped into the cardboard recycling bin.. Its as simple as that.. But as others have said if "management" sees that as an unneeded stoppage of production time then it won't matter.

 

[btrueblood]

Hopefully your trash/recycling pickup gives you a discount for the recyclables, or even pays a little bit (the wood shop next door to us I think gets money for their wood scraps/dust/shavings). Management just needs to see the bottom line; if they get "free money" for recycling, then lazy workers will get incentivized one way or the other. If your local trash pickup doesn't give you a discount (or charge a penalty for not seperating recyclables), then look into having a recycling company come and pick up your cardboard, or hauling the stuff yourself and buying doughnuts for the crew out of any proceeds.