Happy Earth Day From Quincy Recycle!

Happy Earth Day From Quincy Recycle!

Here at Quincy Recycle, Earth Day and what it stands for is kind of a big deal. After all, our business is built around finding solutions to help our clients and communities reduce waste and achieve sustainability. Read on to learn more about one of our favorite holidays and how we try to treat every day like it’s Earth Day.

Earth Day History

Black and white photo of long crowded street with large buildings on the left and right sides

April 22, 1970 – New York, NY

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans decided enough was enough. Frustrated with environmental crises of the time (oil spills, smog, river pollution), 10% of the U.S. population set out to demand a new way forward for our planet. Environmental ignorance was no longer an option, and something needed to be done to help right the course. Some pretty amazing things came as a result of the first-ever Earth Day.

“The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws.” — EarthDay.org

Do you know another great thing to come out of the first Earth Day? You guessed it, RECYCLING! While recycling has been around for a long, long time – Earth Day and the resulting environmental movement helped shape recycling as we know and love it today.

Climate Action

Every year Earth Day has a specific theme and this year’s theme is climate action. We see and hear about it almost daily in the news. It is a modern, top-of-mind issue that we for one feel pretty strongly about. Recycling has a direct impact on our environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each American generates over 1,600 pounds of waste in a year. That’s a big number! Years ago, we recognized the need to help limit the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill each day. Here are three services we offer that creatively help manufacturers reduce waste and limit their environmental impact.

1. Reuse

From Gaylord Boxes to Plastic and Fiber Drums, Quincy Recycle helps manufacturers put their scrap waste to better use. Use us as a resource to find a new and unique application for your scrap material, giving you an additional revenue stream and reducing your landfill costs. We create a win-win situation, allowing you to earn on materials that we take off your hands.

2. Food ByProduct

At Quincy Recycle, we work with food manufacturers to set up a program that diverts waste and turns it into animal feed products and ingredients. Quincy Farm Products is a food byproducts solutions provider, a buyer of industrial by-products, and a feed blender.

3. Recycling

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s the core of what we do. Quincy Recycle offers total recycling and waste stream solutions for postindustrial material. We handle paper waste, plastic waste, and metal waste, and customize plans to keep your waste out of landfills, reuse them in creative new applications, and help limit your business’s environmental impact.

A great example is our plastic recycling service. Many large companies have shifted their focus to using as much post-consumer recycled content as possible in the products they use (think soda bottles). Quincy Recycle plays a big part in helping produce the recycled plastic material these manufacturers are using for their products. Closed-loop programs like this help drive progress toward sustainability and we’re proud to play our part.

Everyone (and anyone) can make a difference

Green recycled symbol on a wood table surrounded by recyclable materials.

There is so much we can all do to help the environment through recycling. We live and breathe it every day at Quincy Recycle, but you may be asking yourself what you can do to help. Well, if you are an industrial manufacturer looking to reduce your waste stream, give us a call. We’d love to partner with you to help achieve your waste reduction and sustainability goals. Because we take a custom approach with each customer, we can come up with a solution that best fits your needs. Quincy Recycle has a large network that spans from coast to coast. So no matter where you are, we can help!

While we focus on postindustrial recycling and waste reduction, we know that awareness starts at home. If you’re new to recycling or looking for more ways to make an impact, then be sure to check out the EPA’s website. They have a ton of great resources available and we think it’s a great place to start!

So, as we celebrate Earth Day 2021, let’s all remember that together we can make an impact and help the environment. Happy Earth Day!

 

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Photo of Kelsey Hayes and her husband at the beach

Employee Spotlight: Kelsey Hayes

Kelsey Hayes truly owns her role as our Financial Controller and the respective scope of responsibilities she and her team share in ensuring the accuracy of our financial data and the integrity of our processes and transactions.  She has a thirst for knowledge and understanding in all aspects of our business, and she is committed to learning and continuous improvement.  In the 18 plus months that she has been our Financial Controller, Kelsey has built a strong, balanced, and dynamic team where voices are heard, strengths are leveraged, and internal controls are protected. Phil Hildebrand said of her, “Kelsey’s determination, sense of urgency, and high orientation for detail give me confidence that our team is on top of the day-to-day activities with a focus on making it easy for our vendors and our customers to do business with us.”

When did you start with Quincy Recycle?

July 2017

What was your job title when you started?

Financial Accountant

What is your current title?

Financial Controller

If you had to pick one, which Core Value is your favorite and why?

Alive & Well. Safety is the top priority at Quincy Recycle but this core value also represents work-life balance. I am happy to work for a company that values me as a person and wants to see me succeed in all facets of life.

What was the most challenging thing to learn in your roles?

Learning a new accounting system and the recycling industry in general was challenging during my first few years at Quincy Recycle. As my role has changed over the last 6 years, I have been continually challenged in new ways and never know when a new learning moment will arise.

What was the most surprising or fun thing to learn?

I am constantly amazed by the amount of companies Quincy Recycle works with. I think it is fascinating to walk into a store and recognize companies/brands of products on the shelves that I have worked with in my role at QRP.

What’s your favorite part about working at Quincy Recycle?

The people and the ability for unlimited growth.

What would you like prospective employees to know about Quincy Recycle?

Hard work does not go unnoticed at Quincy Recycle. If you put in the time, effort, and energy, you will realize great things at this company.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

Spoiling my 8 nieces & nephews, playing volleyball year-round, and traveling! My husband and I are going on an Alaskan cruise this Summer!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever read or received?

Keep the mentality “If it is to be, it is up to me”. If you want something in life, you are the only one that can make it happen!

If you had to pick a song to portray the culture of Quincy Recycle, what would it be and why?

We Are Family” by Sister Sledge

Quincy Recycle Circular Economy

How Quincy Recycle Fits Into Your Circular Economy Plan

In recent years, the circular economy concept has gained significant traction.

But what exactly does it mean? At its core, a circular economy seeks to shift from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” approach to a more sustainable model based on recycling, reusing, and reducing waste. A circular shift requires businesses to rethink their current practices and look for ways to improve sustainability goals.

In this blog, we’ll shed light on how Quincy Recycle can be your trusted partner in achieving your circular economy plan.

Waste Reduction Through Material Recovery

Millions of tons of reusable materials end up in landfills every year. Quincy Recycle is dedicated to sourcing and collecting these materials before they go to waste.

Through advanced material recovery techniques, we help identify recyclable materials within your waste stream and recover them. Our team works with customers to collect various types of plastic, metal, paper, cardboard, and other materials for repurposing or reuse. We work with national partners in a circular approach to ensure that valuable resources are extracted and reintegrated into the supply chain.

Overall, material recovery helps businesses reduce their waste output, save on landfill fees, and optimize the use of resources.

Sustainable Resource Management with Industrial Symbiosis

Industrial symbiosis offers a unique opportunity for businesses to exchange and utilize each other’s waste as valuable resources. Quincy Recycle contributes to industrial symbiosis in a circular economy by connecting and collaborating with different industries.

For example, imagine a plastic manufacturing company generating a significant amount of waste in their process. Instead of disposing of the waste, Quincy Recycle identifies a symbiotic opportunity by connecting the plastic manufacturer with another company needing plastic raw materials, such as a packaging company.

We then facilitate the transfer of plastic waste to the packaging company, which uses it as a valuable resource to produce new packaging materials. Multi-company collaboration allows the plastic manufacturer to reduce waste and disposal costs and enables the packaging company to obtain cost-effective raw materials.

Our industrial symbiotic relationships help businesses close the loop in their production cycles. Waste from one industry becomes a valuable resource for another, and everyone involved becomes part of a more sustainable circular economy.

Circular Economy set Industrial symbiosis creative upcycling regenerative design for sustainability Environment-focused innovation

Protecting Your Image and the Bottom Line

Circular economy plans can promote a business’s reputation and brand image as an environmentally responsible entity. In an increasingly conscious marketplace, consumers and stakeholders demand sustainable practices and are more likely to support businesses prioritizing environmental stewardship. Working with a reputable recycling partner like Quincy Recycle allows businesses to strengthen their brand value and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Implementing a circular economy plan with Quincy Recycle can also bring economic benefits. Businesses can efficiently manage their waste streams, minimize disposal and hauling costs, and potentially generate additional revenue by selling recycled materials or by-products.

Why Work with Quincy Recycle on a Circular Economy Plan?

We offer customized solutions and recycling expertise to meet your needs, such as:

1. Material Evaluation

Quincy Recycle has a team of recycling experts who can evaluate your waste streams and design tailored recycling solutions for your organization. We understand the unique challenges different industries face and can guide you in optimizing your recycling processes.

2. Comprehensive Recycling Services

Whether you need assistance with single-stream recycling, document destruction, or specialized recycling of specific industrial materials, Quincy Recycle has you covered. We offer a wide range of recycling services to meet your needs and help you focus on your core business operations.

3. Transparent Reporting

We believe in transparency. You will receive detailed reporting on the volumes and types of materials collected, suggestions on waste stream management, and updates on how to continue achieving your circular economy goals.

4. Long-Term Collaboration

Lasting relationships with our partners are a driving force behind what we do. We are committed to continuously improving our recycling services and working closely with you to meet your circular economy goals. Our dedicated team of recycling experts will be with you every step of the way.

Are you interested in creating a Sustainability Plan? We can help.

We have helped industrial and manufacturing companies make a positive impact on the future of our planet. From waste reduction and cost savings to promoting sustainable supply chains and environmental stewardship, we have the expertise and resources to help you achieve your circular economy goals.

Contact Quincy Recycle today at 800.311.6097  and let us be your trusted partner in industrial recycling. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Employee Spotlight: Kyle Howell

When our leaders embody our Core Values, they help lift up everyone around them. That is certainly the case with Kyle Howell. He is a shining example of putting the values front and center. General Manager Michael Malloy says of Kyle, “He has grown with Quincy Recycle from a shift supervisor to Operations manager because of his hard work, determination to win and his continuous dedication to learning. He has built a great team around him and is always focused on our core values. ” Thank you for continuing to be a great example, Kyle!

When did you start with Quincy Recycle?

May 2021

What was your job title when you started?

Plant Supervisor

What is your current title?

Operations Manager

If you had to pick one, which Core Value is your favorite and why?

Alive & Well Being in operations the biggest win I can have every day is getting my team home safe to their families. I can’t just talk safety; I need to live it through my actions.

What was the most challenging thing to learn in your roles?

Managing the person and not the job. Every person needs managed in the way that will help them succeed.

What was the most surprising or fun thing to learn?

Marketing material has been a challenging but fun thing to learn. Connecting with other people that want to provide sustainability has helped my team provide the best waste management solutions to our vendors.

What’s your favorite part about working at Quincy Recycle?

Being able to teach people about the benefits of recycling and coaching them on the best ways to provide sustainability to their business.

What would you like prospective employees to know about Quincy Recycle?

We treat our team members like people, not numbers. We genuinely want people to succeed and work diligently to help them to achieve their goals.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my friends and family. I’ve picked up golfing the last few years and enjoy the challenges that come with it. I will occasionally play recreational baseball and ice hockey when available.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever read or received?

Stop saying you don’t have time and start saying it’s not a priority. You will make time for things that are a priority. If someone says they don’t have time what I hear is it’s not a big enough priority yet.

If you had to pick a song to portray the culture of Quincy Recycle, what would it be and why?

Avicii- The Nights. Make a positive impact everywhere you go. Live life to the fullest and live a life people will remember!!