The Importance Of Safety In The Recycling Industry
At Quincy Recycle, safety is one of our top priorities. Recycling may not be one of the first industries that come to mind when you think about jobs with a high risk to health and safety. But, did you ever stop and think about the types of materials collected and sorted?
In their most recent report published in December 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics rated the recycling industry as the 5th most dangerous in America. Today we will talk about why safety is so important to us by highlighting some of the common health and safety risks associated with the recycling industry and how we address them in our facilities.
5 Common Health and Safety Risks in Recycling
1. Large and Moving Machinery
Processing large quantities of plastic, metal, and other recyclable materials requires big machinery. Compactors, balers, conveyor belts, and sorting machines are regular fixtures in recycling plants. All of these can cause injury if adequate operating and maintenance procedures are not put in place.
Robust safety protocols and checklists are in place across all Quincy Recycle locations. Equipment is inspected regularly and when maintenance or repair is required, a “lock-out and tag-out” protocol is strictly enforced to ensure the machinery is in proper working order before being put back into service. From their first day of employment, each member of our team goes through extensive safety and operator training. Training is ongoing and takes place on a regular and frequent basis at each of our facilities.
2. Trucks and Other Big Vehicles
In order to haul and move large loads of material, you need trucks, forklifts and other big vehicles. Any time you have large vehicles in the same place as pedestrians you have a safety risk.
Operator awareness is a top priority at Quincy Recycle. From training to operator certifications, we make sure anyone operating a large vehicle at our facility is qualified and adhering to necessary safety protocols. We also utilize tools like glad hand locks. Trailers come and go from our facilities all the time and a glad hand lock prevents a truck from hooking up to the trailer while someone is inside working.
3. Repetitive Motion
Recycling workers move a lot. They reach, twist, jump, and bend to sort and process items daily. The absence of a well-organized and ergonomic workspace can lead to injury over time.
We spend a lot of time training and promoting best safety practices at Quincy Recycle, and that includes steps to prevent injury due to repetitive motion. Our plants are designed with a layout to help our team members be as efficient as possible, which goes a long way in helping keep them safe and injury-free.
4. Respiratory Hazards
Recyclable materials produce a lot of dust. Without proper safety equipment and ventilation, small particles from materials we process such as paper, plastic, cardboard, and other contaminants can pose harm to workers.
Quincy Recycle provides all employees with dust masks and safety glasses to protect against airborne contaminants. In addition, our facilities are outfitted with air ventilation systems to help remove dust from the air key locations throughout the plant.
5. Biohazards
Sorting through mixed-commodity loads presents some risks. Sharp objects, industrial chemicals, and other biohazards can be present and must be handled carefully to avoid injury.
We take a proactive approach to make sure we know exactly what is coming into our facilities. Utilizing safety data sheets, our team can confirm the former contents of products such as fiber or plastic drums to ensure nothing comes into the plant that shouldn’t. We also provide our team with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help keep them safe when handling the wide variety of material that comes through our plants each day. Along with PPE, you’ll also find first-aid and bloodborne pathogen kits in each of our facilities.
Quincy Recycle Promotes A Safety-Focused Culture
Safety is part of our culture at Quincy Recycle. In fact, it is one of our core values. We don’t take the risks associated with our industry lightly and have put a lot of time and energy into making sure our facilities are safe.
“It starts at the top. Everyone across our organization is fully committed to running a safe operation. Our first core value is “Alive and Well” because safety is part of everything we do at Quincy Recycle. Many of our facilities boast lengthy safety records which is a real testament to the buy-in and dedication from everyone on the team.” – Philip J. Hildebrand, Jr., Quincy Recycle
Why is this so important?
To us, it’s simple – our team is our family. Keeping them safe is our first priority. And, in turn, our commitment to health and safety allows us to provide consistent service our partners can depend on whenever they need us.
Are you ready to take the first step toward achieving your sustainability goals?
Contact us today and together we can make an impact. We offer a wide variety of services designed to meet your specific needs.
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How Quincy Recycle Transforms Waste Into Revenue for Industrial Companies
Every year, millions of tons of industry-generated materials are discarded into landfills. Much of this material waste is not yet at the end of its lifecycle, but disposal eliminates the possibility of industrial byproducts being reused or recycled.
At Quincy Recycle, we view industrial waste and scrap as a potential resource, not an endpoint. Our goal is to help plant managers, sustainability officers, and procurement directors in industrial settings identify areas for efficient waste management, sustainable solutions, and waste stream cost reduction.
Here’s how we help companies nationwide streamline their industrial recycling processes and transform waste into revenue.
Streamlining Waste Management with Advanced Solutions
We understand that implementing an industrial recycling and green initiative requires coordination, labor, and resources. However, our team streamlines the process so you can develop and initiate your action plan while Quincy Recycle handles the logistics. We conduct personalized waste stream audits and offer state-of-the-art recycling equipment to transform current waste challenges into cost-saving opportunities and potential revenue generation.
Your Industrial Recycling Equipment Opportunities
Waste management plans with recycling equipment benefit companies in various ways. Three of the most profitable return-on-investment opportunities we see for our customers include:
Reduced Manual Labor
Industrial recycling equipment reduces the direct labor hours traditionally required for waste management. Horizontal and vertical balers, grinders, and industrial compactors make the sorting, processing, baling of recyclable materials faster and more efficient. For example, adding a baler into your waste management process can decrease labor utilization from one person’s entire day (8 hours) to just a couple of hours (2.25 hours on average).
Space Saving & Lower Removal Costs
The challenges of increasing waste disposal fees and space limitations from scattered loose waste affect many manufacturers. Streamlining your recycling process reduces disposal costs and frequency of waste removal. Bales take up less space and can be sold for a return or revenue stream. Turn a traditionally expensive process into a potential revenue stream with industrial recycling.
Enhanced Sustainability Profile
Support your bottom line and promote its sustainability credentials with a company-wide recycling initiative. Consumers and partners often prefer environmentally responsible companies, and demonstrating a serious commitment to recycling fosters stronger relationships and open new opportunities.
Flexible Solutions for Your Company’s Equipment Interests
Quincy Recycle offers versatile rental and leasing options for businesses interested in recycling but not ready to purchase equipment. Our flexible plans help companies adapt to recycling processes without the barrier of a large initial investment.
Here’s how we ease the transition:
Rental Programs
Renting equipment offers a relatively risk-free, short-term solution for companies experimenting with industrial recycling or those facing variable waste quantities.
Leasing Options
Leasing provides a middle ground and offers the benefits of our recycling equipment with manageable financial commitment. It’s ideal for businesses ready to integrate recycling into their operations more sustainably.
Investment in Ownership
Once your company has identified the recycling solutions that best fit your operations, purchasing becomes a cost-effective, long-term approach. Ownership eliminates rental or leasing fees and provides tax benefits. Take advantage of recycling equipment ROI by purchasing it outright or during/after your rental or lease agreement.
Learn more about purchasing, rental, or leasing options by calling our Equipment Division General Manager – Tom Saylor, at (260) 494.5676 or emailing [email protected].
Industrial Recycling Benefits at a Glance
Initiating a waste management plan with Quincy Recycle offers the following benefits:
- Cost reductions in waste removal, labor, and landfill fees.
- Improved operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
- Potential revenue from the sale of recyclable materials.
- Reduced environmental footprint through decreased landfill contributions.
- Circular economy contributions for recyclable materials like cardboard, paper, plastic, and metal.
Plan for a Sustainable Future
Industrial recycling reflects corporate responsibility and plans for strategic foresight. As federal regulation tightens and our raw, natural resources become more depleted, efficient waste management will transition from a competitive advantage to an operational necessity.
Quincy Recycle helps companies and manufacturers reimagine waste as a resource. We make initiating or enhancing recycling programs achievable by integrating comprehensive industrial waste solutions, advanced equipment, and flexible financial options.
Is your company ready to step into 2025 with a streamlined waste management plan? Turn your sustainability goals into tangible outcomes by partnering with Quincy Recycle. Pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient future in industrial operations by contacting us online or calling 800.311.6097.
End-of-Year Cleanup and Product Destruction
Out with the old and in with the new! This year is almost over, and it’s time to consider clearing out your company’s excess or outdated materials from 2024.
At Quincy Recycle, we help turn “out with the old” into an action plan that streamlines your end-of-year processes and protects your proprietary interests. We provide confidential product removal, transportation, and destruction services to companies dealing with a surplus of branded and sensitive materials.
Our expertise and equipment ensure none of your obsolete materials carry over into the new year, so you can start fresh with peace of mind.
Why Schedule an End-of-Year Cleanup?
Space Saving: Clear out valuable warehouse or facility space to make room for new inventory and production materials.
Data Protection: Safely destroy branded and sensitive materials in compliance with client and customer expectations.
Peace of Mind: Rest easy knowing that your unwanted products are disposed of responsibly and securely.
Our Product Destruction Services
We offer comprehensive product destruction services to facilitate your end-of-year cleanups.
Commonly Handled Materials:
- Overstock items
- Excess or expired inventory
- Items with misprinted labels
- Recalled consumer goods
- Defective products
- Outdated packaging
- Confidential documents
- Unused gift cards
- Surplus books
- Branded Stock
We work with various industries to securely destroy and dispose of materials. Even if you don’t see your material listed above, contact us at 800-311-6097 or fill out our online form to discuss potential customized solutions for your business.
Mixed Commodity Trailers for Facility Clean-Up
Some facility managers may find themselves overwhelmed with a large amount of accumulated waste materials over the year. Sorting and disposing of bulk materials can be too time-consuming, especially when there isn’t enough of one type to fill a dedicated pickup.
Our mixed commodity trailers streamline the cleanup process for customers with more than one type of material, such as plastic and cardboard packaging waste. Mixed trailers offer a solution for cleanup and product destruction for companies who don’t have the time or resources to sort their bulk waste.
Scheduling Made Simple
We know you have a lot going on during the end of the year, so we’ve made scheduling your end-of-year cleanup easy and convenient! With multiple locations across the Midwest, we offer flexible pickup and drop-off times so there’s minimal disruption to your operations.
How to Schedule:
Call 800-311-6097 to speak with a specialist, or contact one of our individual locations.
Whether you’re a first-time customer or have scheduled pickups with us before, Quincy Recycle provides top-notch service and clear instructions to help you through the process.
Quincy Recycle is one of the country’s largest and most accomplished product removal companies.
Discreet, Confidential, and completely secure are priorities for our team, drivers, and facility. Each person involved in your cleanup is trained to properly manage and dispose of materials that cannot be introduced or returned to the consumer market. You’ve taken great care to protect your company and its reputation, and we’ll do the same in handling your confidential or bulk waste materials.
Schedule your annual pickup, or plan a consistent schedule to avoid product overflow.
We help businesses nationwide manage waste removal, recycling, and product destruction throughout the year.
Plan your pickups:
- Annually
- Bi-annually
- As-needed basis
To our current clients, we thank you for your ongoing partnership and encourage you to reach out to schedule your end-of-year service. For businesses not yet working with Quincy Recycle, we invite you to discover how our services can enhance your efficiency and profitability.
There’s still time to schedule your end-of-year cleanup. Don’t let clutter hold you back as you enter the new year. Reach out to us today, and we’ll help you make room for a fresh, productive start to the upcoming year!
Your Partner in Recycling Commingled Plastic Loads
Quincy Recycle is your Partner in Commingled Plastic Loads
Managing single stream and dual stream residential is not an easy part of the industry. However, with a partner like Quincy Recycle who has an Optical Sort Line in Quincy, IL we can add value to your commingled and unsorted rigid container pack.
Why Choose Quincy Recycle for Commingled Plastic?
Quincy Recycle is equipped to handle your 1-7’s pack and any other combination of those containers efficiently. Their advanced sorting “Optical Sort Line” can process a variety of plastic types, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and more. This capability eliminates the need for Material Recovery Facilities (MRF’s), buy back-centers, and municipal and residential collection programs to separate plastics before disposal, allowing them to streamline their operations and focus on their core activities.
Expertise in Handling Diverse Plastic Materials
Commingled plastics can consist of #1’s, #2’s, #3’s, #4’s, #5’s, #6’s, and other rigid containers. Quincy Recycle’s experience in dealing with different grades and forms of plastic ensures that these materials are processed correctly and responsibly. By leveraging industry expertise, they maximize the amount of recyclable material and minimize waste, providing an eco-friendly solution that aligns with sustainable business practices.
Simplified Logistics with Pickup Services
One of the biggest challenges in managing commingled plastic is logistics. Quincy Recycle addresses this by offering flexible pickup options. Their fleet can pick up loads of commingled directly from your facility. This simplifies the entire waste management process and helps businesses and organizations to maintain continuity without the hassle of coordinating various recycling efforts.
Cost-Effective and Efficient Processing
Sorting and recycling commingled plastic internally can be costly, requiring specialized equipment and additional labor. By partnering with Quincy Recycle, businesses can avoid these expenses. Quincy Recycle provides a cost-effective solution by taking on the unsorted and sorted packs, and processing operations allowing vendors to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency.
Commitment to Sustainability and Business Value
While sustainability is an essential focus, Quincy Recycle’s approach emphasizes the business value of effective recycling. By turning what would be waste into a reusable resource, they help companies and organizations not only reduce landfill use but also extract maximum value from their waste streams. This creates opportunities for vendors to turn their plastic waste into revenue or savings, aligning environmental responsibility with business profitability.
Partner with a Trusted Industry Leader
With years of experience, Quincy Recycle has built a reputation as a dependable partner for businesses across various sectors, from manufacturing to retail. Their ability to handle diverse and complex waste streams makes them an ideal choice for vendors looking for an efficient, one-stop recycling solution. By partnering with Quincy Recycle, businesses, municipalities, and other organizations can be confident that their commingled plastics are being managed with expertise and care.
Learn more about how Quincy Recycle can simplify your waste management and maximize the value of your plastic recycling efforts by contacting us today!