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Step 3 - Identify a Recycling Collector or Markets for Recyclables

This is a very important step. Many recycling efforts have failed because they neglected to locate a collector or market for collected recyclables. Before collecting anything, thoroughly research your options.

Start by contacting your city or county solid waste department (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality)  to determine the types of recycling services that are currently being offered. The city or county may be willing to pick offered. The city or county may be willing to pickup your recyclables or to connect you with a commercial recycler that provides that service. Another option is to identify a recycler on your own. Refer to the phone book or go to the local library and look in the Arkansas Recycling Market Directory.

You may need to deal with several recyclers if there is not single one who can handle all of the types of materials you are collecting.

Questions to ask collectors or vendors include:

What materials do they collect? (aluminum cans, steel cans, white paper, newspaper, cardboard, plastic)

What grades or types of paper do they accept? (have them explain the "grades” of paper if you are not familiar)

Will they pay you for the materials picked up at your school? If so, how much?

Is the pickup service free?

Would you have to pay for pickup? How much?

What condition should the material be in and how should they be prepared? (cardboard flattened, white paper only, no crayon on paper tops off containers, etc.)

Is a minimum volume or weight required for each pickup?

Will they provide pickup on a fixed schedule, or as needed?

Will they supply collection containers? At what cost?

Will they sign a contract for recycling service? (One-year contracts with your option to renew for a second year are most common.).

Will they help you organize and promote the program?