Electra™ Recycling Range : Step-by-Step Guide [Infographic]

With the innovative new Electra recycling range you can build a unique, co-ordinated recycling programme for your business. The Electra recycling containers complement the popular Electra litter bins to create a harmonised waste management range to suit any modern environment.

The opportunities are endless with the Electra recycling range thanks to the wide variety of containers, capacities, waste streams, apertures and graphic options!

Step 1. Perform a waste audit

By conducting a waste audit, you will be able to determine your organisation’s waste management needs.

A waste audit assesses what types of recyclable and non-recyclable materials are generated, how much is currently being recycled and how much goes to landfill. This information can be used to improve your existing waste programme and identify areas for improvement.

Step 2. Choose your recycling bins

Now your waste audit has been performed, you are ready to make an informed decision about what recycling bins are required.

Featuring a vast amount of options, we are confident that the Electra recycling range will meet your budget, style and size requirements.

Many factors influence the type of recycling bins needed, including where they are sited, how busy the location is and how frequently the bins are emptied.

If your chosen location has limited space, we recommend the Electra 60 recycling bin. This recycling container has a narrow footprint, so it’s great for small internal spaces. It also co-ordinates with the Electra 60 litter bin to create an aesthetically-pleasing waste programme.

Alternatively, if your waste audit identified several different recyclables within your company, the Electra 170 Quad recycling station may be the ideal recycling container. This recycling bin allows users to collect 4 different waste streams in one modern, appealing container.

Step 3. Select your waste streams

Based on your waste audit, you can determine the types of recycled materials collected within your business. You can use this knowledge to choose the most suitable waste streams; whether it’s mixed recyclables, paper, cans or a waste stream that’s totally unique to your business!

For sites where recycled materials aren’t separated or only a couple of recyclable streams need to be collected, we recommend the Electra 120 Duo or the Electra 170 Duo recycling bin. Pairing mixed recyclables and general waste together in a dual recycling station deters users from throwing recyclables into litter bins.

If one material is generated more than others, we advise choosing the Electra 170 Trio recycling station. The Electra 170 Trio comprises of one large-capacity compartment and two smaller compartments. For example, if a large amount of paper is generated by your company but only a small number of cans and bottles, you can easily design an Electra 170 Trio to meet these needs.

Step 4. Pick your apertures

Now it’s time to ensure your recycling bins feature the most appropriate apertures. Using the right aperture reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

The Electra Recycling range consists of 3 standard aperture types- an open-top aperture, a cans/bottles aperture and a paper aperture. With the Electra Duo, Trio and Quad recycling stations you can mix and match the apertures to create a combination that suits your recycling programme.

Step 5. Choose a liner

When it comes to managing your recycling programme, the type of liner needed may not be at the forefront of your mind. But it’s a feature worth considering!

We offer two types of liners for the Electra recycling range: an integrated sack holder system or a galvanised steel liner.

The sack holder system provides a quick and efficient solution for the handling of litter for waste operatives. Strong and robust, the steel liner may be most appropriate for use in fire-risk locations or for the collection of heavy-duty materials.

Step 6. Select a fixing option

We pride ourselves on offering strong and secure litter bins but sometimes it’s nice knowing you have the added security of fixings. Fixing options can extend the longevity of your products as they help to keep the bin stable against adverse weather, vandalism, heavy-use or any accidental knocks.

The Electra recycling bins are supplied with paving fixings for secure installation. If you don’t plan to ground-fix the Electra 60 or Electra 120 Duo recycling bins, we recommend ordering the free-standing base.

Step 7. Add recycling graphics

One of the easiest ways to encourage people to recycle is through clear and consistent recycling graphics. There’s a whole host of graphic options available for the Electra recycling range so you can develop the best visual solution for your business.

Full-length colour graphics are great for helping passersby to easily identify the purpose of the container. Screen printed apertures in colours of your choosing are also available so you can create easily-recognisable, colour-coded waste streams.

If a subtle approach to imagery is more your style, we suggest opting for vinyl cut graphics or graphics placed on top of the bin.

By using standardised graphics across your recycling range, frequent users will learn to associate certain colours and images with their intended waste stream. This allows them to make a snap decision about which bin to use. Whatever you choose, our friendly Graphics team are on board to help create your desired graphics.

Step 8. Make it personal with branding, logos and colours

We want our products to be your products. Many Glasdon products can be personalised with your company logo, branding, colours or message.

With an assortment of personalisation options available, you can easily customise the Electra recycling bins.

We offer a free in-house visualisation service where our experienced Graphic Designers will show you exactly how your chosen design looks before you place your order.

Step 9. Appoint a recycling ambassador

A recycling ambassador is a champion for reducing, reusing and recycling waste. Assigning somebody within your company to be a recycling ambassador is a great way to make the most of your recycling programme.

A recycling ambassador is an advocate for sustainability. They educate and encourage others to recycle, find new opportunities to recycle, reduce or reuse and keep an eye on changes to recycling legislations, ensuring your organisation is always up to date.

Having a recycling ambassador monitor your recycling programme can help further improve recycling rates, creating a more sustainable future for your business.

Step 10. Evaluate and enjoy!

Your recycling programme is in place, so now it’s time to enjoy it! You can feel proud knowing that you have taken steps to reduce your company’s environmental impact.

Recycling has both environmental and ecological benefits. Once your recycling programme is effectively running, you should find that recyclables are better diverted from landfill. As a result, you may be able to reduce the size or frequency of non-recyclable waste collection.

An effective recycling programme can positively impact business costs and will educate and inspire employees to act with sustainability in mind.

Remember to track the progress of your recycling programme. You may need to make small alterations to your recycling programme every so often to keep up with the changing and advancing environment. We recommend reviewing and refreshing your recycling programme at least once a year to ensure you’re making the most of sustainability for your company.