Q&A for How to Start a Recycling Business

I think names should always be something that's unique to you as a person. Think about how you tell your story through a name. The business name should have a significant story. That's what connects your clients to you and your business. Then, make sure the name itself isn't copyrighted or trademarked by someone else. Also, make sure your social media handles aren't being used by anyone else. The website domain is another important aspect because all of that factors into how your clients discover you. If your website domain or social handles mismatch with your brand name, then your clients might have a harder time finding you.

Owning a business is a full-time commitment. If you don't have the time, then do not do it. If you're not willing to commit to it or trust someone else to commit to it, then don't do it. It's going to take a lot of time. It's going to take a lot of energy. You're going to have to work long hours.

Base industries, like bottle and can makers, or the ones that makes paper for newspaper will. You have to see if there is an industry like that near you, or the prices will become prohibitive.

Have your company registered and get the operational license. Start visiting offices, business complexes, households, SME's and MNC's to collect end-of-life electronics. Start dismantling and work to understand the complete product life cycle. If reusable components are available, sell them and then give the rest to recycling companies.

Any type of dry paper is the best product for recycling. For example; cartons, flyers, packet drinks, and magazines are a good start.

The risks could include an explosion or fire if not properly stored, slips or falls of your workers, environmental hazards and environmental regulations.

Get a load from the bank or borrow money from relatives and friends. Be aware though that a recycling business requires big funding amounts because the machinery needed is expensive and you need a good sized piece of land in a properly zoned area. Always plan first before you start a recycling business, a business plan is essential for getting a loan successfully and for knowing how to run your business.

The community will benefit from a recycling business in different ways. The first one being able to positively contribute to preventing additional harm to the environment. By using recycled materials, people can reduce the negative impact of producing new materials from scratch. Another advantage is reduced costs. Usually recycling has less cost than producing new materials, the cost of recycled materials can be relatively less. Another benefit can be direct involvement in the recycling process itself (people getting paid for recycling materials... like cans and bottles).

Once you know where the garbage will go, you can start by thinking of an impactful name, buying land, researching and choosing equipment, registering your business and setting up the business plan in terms of employees, working hours, pay, website, etc. Talk to people already in the industry before you get started, so you're aware of everything about it.

Create a storage area for it where the materials are kept dry and free from rodents. As you store cartons, books, newspapers, magazines etc, contact people who use these materials by looking at paper recycling organizations or charities. Form a group that preserves and recycles as a group. You might make a WhatsApp group or a social media page to publicize your business and encourage people to provide materials.

Start with your local council/municipality or local government. The local level of government is the most likely to have jurisdiction over public parks.