The more you produce, the higher your disposal costs. Your business can save money and positively impact our environment through efficient waste management practices

The Green Business Network exists to help Monroe County businesses produce and landfill less waste

Our services include:

  • Contractual or one-time pickup services of recyclable material

  • Assistance on finding solutions to complicated waste material

  • Free waste audits to identify all possible reductions in waste volume, increase recycling, and prevent compliance fines

How to Begin

Determine what your waste needs are (link?)

consider a waste audit (link to that section)

choose the contract that best suits your business, contact district

Decide how the materials will be collected:

Label bins appropriately (link to that section)

Place containers in a centralized location easily accessible for employees.

Appoint an individual or group of people to lead the program.

inform all employees

Circulate a memo, Post Signs, Incorporate program into the orientation process and mission statement

Don’t forget to close the loop: if you aren't buying recycled, you're not really recycling!

(Have links to recycled material alternatives)

Pickup Options

  • Once a month

    $250/year

  • Twice a month

    $475/year

  • Once a week

    $900/year

  • Twice a week

    $1700/year

  • Special Pickup

    Non GBN member

    $50/pickup

    GBN member

    fee varies based on contract

Accepted Recyclable Material

Recycling Containers

One container is necessary per material type, and must be stored indoors or in a roofed area that is easily accesible to our trucks drivers

  • 48-Gallon Toter

    39” Tall x 30” Deep x 24” Wide

    Ideal for

    • Aluminum cans

    • Food-grade glass

    • Mixed paper

    • Hard plastics

  • 64-Gallon Toter

    41” Tall x 32” Deep x 24” Wide

    Ideal for

    • Aluminum cans

    • Food-grade glass

    • Mixed paper

    • Hard plastics

  • 96-Gallon Toter

    43” Tall x 32” Deep x 30” Wide

    Ideal for

    • Cardboard

    • Hard plastics

    • Shrink-wrap

  • Gaylord Bin

    36” Tall x 32” Deep x 36” Wide

    Ideal for

    • Cardboard

    • Hard plastics

    • Shrink-wrap

    • Shredded paper

    Cannot use for glass or mixed paper

    Stackable, available with and without wheels and lids

  • 12-Gallon Toter

    12” Tall x 22” Deep x 22” Wide

    Idea for

    • aluminum cans

    • mixed paper

    • glass bottles

    • steel cans

    For when your business produces a small but consistent amount of recyclable material, best stored in break rooms

Green Tips Checklist

Reduce your business waste. Here's how!

Reducing the amount of waste your business produces helps cut waste removal and recycling costs, and cuts purchasing costs as well. Here are a few tips to help you reduce waste:

  • Purchase reusable products instead of disposable ones.

    • Use items that are more durable, refillable, and reusable.

  • Consolidate separate forms, reports, and memos.

  • Eliminate any process using products that are outdated or no longer needed.

  • Purchase products that come in the least amount of packaging

    • look for products packaged in recyclable materials and request that packaging be recyclable from your distributor.

    • They will not use peanuts if you request them not to.

Reusing items around the office also helps to keep purchasing costs down as well as waste disposal costs. Here are some ideas for reusing items in your office:

  • Reuse one-sided paper. Collect one-sided copies to make note pads.

  • Request that your employer only purchases one copy of each publication to be shared among employees in the office.

  • Take office supplies that can still be used, but are no longer needed, to your local reuse facility where teachers and not-for-profit organizations can put them to good use.

  • Donate bigger items such as office furniture to charities or second-hand store.

  • Recycle used ink cartridges from printers by sending them to a facility that accepts them. Contact the manufacturer for more information.

  • Recycle hazardous materials. Look for things you might not have considered as hazardous, such as fluorescent light bulbs and batteries. Consult the District for more information on proper hazardous waste disposal.

  • Recycle old computers. Computers of most kinds can be remanufactured and used again. Donate the computer to a not-for-profit or local school.

  • All electronics can now be recycled at the Hazardous Materials facility.

  • Use paper with post-consumer content. 35% is the minimum post-consumer content recommended.

  • Use a printing ink alternative such as soy ink.

  • Consider using remanufactured computers.

  • Look for recycled content in almost anything your office regularly uses.

 Green Business Resources for Reuse & Recycling

Waste Audits

  • We deliver advisory and implementation services in strategy, operations, marketing, and technology.

  • We calculate fees based on scope, complexity, and projected resources, then present a transparent proposal.

  • Engagements range from two weeks for focused audits to several months for comprehensive transformation.

  • Yes, we remain actively involved until solutions are fully operational and staff are confident.

  • Our adaptable methodology serves manufacturing, retail, professional services, and public sector entities.

  • Item description

Contact Waste Reduction Specialist McKenna Conway at 812-668-2241, or mconway@mcswmd.org, to learn more about the Green Business Network program or to schedule a waste audit for your business.