Q&A: Recycling newspaper downtown

Your eco-questions answered:

Question: Siel, I'm curious about recycling newspaper. Where I work we seem to amass a lot of yesterday's newspapers. I use as much as I can as packing mat'l for shipping, (much better than styro beads, peanuts, and bubble wrap), but I've got stacks of the stuff left over. I can't find anyplace that buys it, and I don't want to see it go in a landfill....

My workplace is, 7th between Olive and Grand. It's an old bldg. ca.1917, it's not full of tenants, and to the owner it's a really just cash cow. The only advantage is cheap rent. I wonder if another bldg. nearby, that has a recycling program would let me drop it off there? James Bean [via comments, here and here]

Answer:While I first suggested taking the newspaper home for recycling, I'm now wondering: Since you seem to be somewhat familiar with the owner, why not set up a recycling program at your workplace? That way, you'll bypass the hauling of newspaper problem altogether. AND your workplace might start recycling more than just newspaper.

If that proves difficult, I'd definitely try to make friends with your neighboring businesses. Unfortunately, the last time I worked in downtown was in 2001, so I can't really help you out with that directly -- but you might make new friends!

In case you decide you want to combine your biking workout with your recycling activism and make a bit of money while you're at it: After your comment, one Darren from Active Recycling Co. emailed me to say that his company "buys newspaper, cardboard, office paper, and other recyclable papers and metals (i.e. iron, copper, aluminum, and brass) at VERY HIGH PRICES." However, locations are in East LA, South Central, and the Valley -- all a bit of a trek.

I'll let you know of any drop-off locations I hear of closer to where you work. If others of you know one, please let me know.

Got a question? Ask me: greenlagirl@gmail.com.

Photo by caleb condit via Flickr

Comments

[James]

Thanks Siel,

I'll see what I can do. I have a feeling that if a recycling program for the bldg. gets started it's going to all be on me. The bldg owner is only interested in collecting his rent, and his small staff of overworked underpaid employees certainly wouldn't appreciate me adding to their workday.

Thanks for the links, I'll check them out during this long weekend and see if I can come up with a plan. If not for the entire bldg. then at least for my own workplace.

[Siel]

Good luck :) Also, Active Recycling Co. says it offers pick-up/hauling service for commercial/industrial accounts (malls, office buildings, factories, etc.).

[SkyeBlue]

The area of the country I live in, small town Arkansas, is a world away in regards to recyclying from when I lived in Washington State. It is just not that big of a priority for people in this area. Reading your blog has brought home to me how apathetic II have become with recycling. Thanks for waking me up!

[Dr Derrick Norbert Morris]

I would like to start a recycling business. I am intetested in knowing where to get funding, who are the warehouse for plastic, cans, bottles etc.

Derrick

[Siel]

Reading Emerald City all the way from Arkansas! Thanks for stopping by, SkyeBlue -- and I hope at least some of the info here is stuff you can apply there :)

Derrick -- I can't do the basic research necessary to help you start a business -- You need to do that yourself, or hire someone to do it for you. But maybe some green business networking will help.