Tell us how awesome your business is! Can’t answer “yes” to all the questions on the application, but still want to become Blue Ribbon Recycler certified? Never fear, tell us what you are doing now and an OCRRA Recycling Specialist will schedule an onsite visit to help get you over the finish line! Already there? We’ll stop out to confirm your stellar practices and you’ll be on your way to certification.

If you have questions, email us or call us at (315) 453-2866.


















    • Create a formal written policy on recycling and distribute it to personnel.


    • Open communication with custodial staff to ensure that recyclables stay separate from trash all the way to hauler pickup. Find a recycling memo here.


    • Set up a system-wide process to keep recyclable items out of the trash including:


      • ALL indoor trash receptacles paired with a recycling container.


      • Recycling and trash containers are clearly and consistently labeled. OCRRA offers free decals for this.


      • Regular reminders to staff about what is recyclable.


      • Ensure recyclables are put outside in a separate container from trash.


    • Recycle all the following papers:


      • Magazines & Catalogs


      • Junk mail


      • Office papers


      • Newspapers


      • Cardboard


      • Shredded office paper (no plastics)


    • Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans, plastic bottles (including those without a deposit), and #5 plastic containers.


    • Eliminate plastic bag liners for paper-only receptacles.


    • Have a waste hauler collect all recyclables (not just cardboard and paper) or have another method in place to transport and recycle the materials. (i.e., you self-haul your recyclables to a Material Recovery Facility or to OCRRA's Rock Cut Road Drop-Off Site. Proof is required if a self-hauling option is used.)


    • Recycle used ink cartridges and/or toner cartridges.


    • Recycle electronics (including computers, monitors, printers and other peripheral equipment); by law these items cannot be thrown in the trash.


    *Note that specialist availability, and application status may effect date of actual evaluation.


    [group group-office]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content as default printing paper.


    • If fluorescent lights are used in offices, contract to recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).


    • Participate in a rechargeable battery recycling program.


    • Recycle all cardboard boxes.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Set printer default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.


    • Use email for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.


    • Purchase used or refurbished office furniture and equipment.


    • Reuse boxes and packing materials for shipments.


    • Reduce junk mail by opting out.


    • If applicable, manufacturers: reduce, recycle or eliminate by-product waste; or find market for byproduct waste.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group office-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-fsr]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • If possible, donate leftover food to a charity or pantry, otherwise, separate food waste out for composting, animal feed or other beneficial use.


    • Recycle all glass bottles, metal cans and plastic bottles in food preparation and consumption areas.


    • Collect fats, oils and grease for rendering.


    • Offer only re-usable menus in dining area as applicable.


    • Use primarily reusable plates, glasses and silverware for in-house dining.


    • Switch to exclusively reusable napkins / towels OR purchase at least one of these paper products made with 100% recycled content: napkins, paper towels, toilet paper.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Only offer plastic straws to those who request them.


    • Eliminate use of single serving condiments.


    • Eliminate use of Styrofoam products.


    • If applicable, reduce paper towel usage by adding energy-efficient air dryers or reusable towel systems.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group fsr-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-med]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • Have bottle and can collection containers in waiting rooms.


    • Recycle shredded paper, in addition to other non-confidential paper.


    • Post signage encouraging proper waste separation. Available for free from OCRRA.


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content as default printing paper.


    • If fluorescents bulbs are used, contract to recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).


    • Participate in a rechargeable battery recycling program.


    • If required, have strategically placed collection containers for sharps from the community to be properly disposed of as medical waste.


    • For hospitals: recycle food scraps through composting.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Set copier defaults to “double-side” documents to reduce paper usage.


    • Reduce paper usage, through electronic medical record keeping.


    • Eliminate Styrofoam products from the cafeteria where applicable.


    • Donate leftover food to a charity/pantry.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group med-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-edu]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • If cafeteria facilities exist, recycle food scraps through composting or other beneficial use.


    • Encourage email/digital platforms for internal communication and document sharing to reduce paper waste.


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content as default printing paper.


    • If fluorescent lights are used, recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).


    • Participate in a rechargeable battery recycling program.


    • Post recycling reminders to students and personnel in high traffic areas.


    • If applicable, food service operators collect fats, oils and grease for recycling.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Set printer default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.


    • Purchase used or refurbished office furniture and equipment.


    • Where possible, eliminate disposable cups and switch to reusable beverage containers for everyday use.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group edu-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-hev]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content as default printing paper.


    • Set out additional bottle and can recycling containers for special events/meetings.


    • Recycle food scraps through composting in dining services.


    • If applicable, food service operators collect fats, oils and grease for recycling.


    • If applicable, provide recycling containers in hotel/motel guestrooms for paper and bottles and cans.


    • If applicable, provide stand-alone signs in hotel/motel guestrooms indicating what is recyclable. OCRRA offers these for free.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Eliminate the purchase of bottled water in offices and for meetings and conference events in favor of pitchers of water or other re-fillable options.


    • Donate all old linens and towels for material reclamation (e.g., Salvation Army or Rescue Mission, etc.)


    • Purchase at least one of the following paper products made with 100% recycled paper: napkins, towels, toilet paper.


    • Employ paperless guest check in / out service.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group hev-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-retail]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • Have bottle and can collection containers placed near restrooms or wherever customer trash receptacles may be.


    • If applicable, keep free OCRRA literature at service desk for customers who have questions about how to dispose of certain materials.


    • If a clothing retailer, have signage about how to recycle/donate unwanted clothing.


    • If fluorescents bulbs are used, contract to recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).


    • If applicable, reuse hangers or donate.


    • If applicable, accept rechargeable batteries from consumers for recycling.


    • If applicable, accept plastic bags from consumers for recycling.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Reuse cardboard boxes.


    • Reuse product displays and shelving, or donate.


    • Offer incentives for customers to use their own bags.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group retail-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-govt]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content as default printing paper.


    • Regularly include OCRRA-verified information about waste reduction, reuse opportunities, and recycling in newsletters and on website.


    • Offer OCRRA recycling brochures in public areas for residents to pick up.


    • Participate in a rechargeable battery recycling program.


    • If fluorescent lights are used, contract to recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • Set printer default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage.


    • Reduce incoming junk mail by opting out.


    • Enact policy of electronic record-keeping in lieu of paper documentation, where possible. Give example:
      [group govt-rr-3g]


      [/group]


    • Where possible, eliminate disposable cups and switch to reusable beverage containers for everyday use.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group govt-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]

    [group group-apt]

    Industry Specific Criteria


    • List recycling requirements in lease agreement.


    • Position recycling and trash collection areas next to one another; make recycling as convenient as trash disposal.


    • Ensure that both trash and recycling dumpsters and/or carts are of sufficient capacity and are clearly and consistently labeled; order free decals from OCRRA.


    • Communicate with facilities/management staff about issues tenants may be having with recycling.


    • Give each tenant a recycling bin; OCRRA provides these for free.


    • Put recycling containers for both papers and bottles and cans in common areas (e.g., mail rooms, entrances, and community rooms).


    • Inform tenants using OCRRA fliers, and in memos about how easy it is to dispose of hazardous waste, electronic waste and batteries.


    • Communicate that tenants must place recyclables, loose (un-bagged), into designated dumpsters or carts provided by your waste hauler.


    • Offer OCRRA recycling brochures in public areas for residents to pick up.


    • Remind tenants annually about what items are recyclable. This can be done through a flyer, newsletter or by utilizing OCRRA’s free materials.


    • If fluorescent lights are used, contract to recycle all fluorescent bulbs/tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) from common areas.


    • Purchase printer paper with at least 30% recycled content for office area.


    • Invite OCRRA to do a free presentation at the facility annually.

    Reduce and Reuse: (Choose two or more measures)


    • If OCRRA’s apartment recycling bins are used, ensure that tenants are clearly informed that the bins belong with the apartment upon moving out.


    • Set printer default to “double-side documents” to reduce paper usage in office area.


    • Offer current tenants a forum to take unwanted furnishings from tenants who are moving out.


    • Other (list examples):
      [group apt-rr-other]


      [/group]

    [/group]