Since its establishment in 1999 to encourage businesses to divert materials away from the landfill, the Commercial Recycling Division has helped hundreds of Plano businesses conserve resources.  As Plano continues to pursue environmental excellence, the role played by the commercial sector becomes even more vital and essential. 

The Commercial Recycling Division, with the assistance of local businesses, has increased the city’s diversion rate from 5% in 1999 to 30% in 2011. With a city-wide diversion goal of 40%, 2012 will bring us closer to achieving this goal through a number of successful recycling programs:   

	Construction & Demolition (C&D)  Recycling -- C&D Recycling has been very successful in diverting large volumes of C&D debris from local landfills, saving considerable cost normally associated with project disposal.
	Organic Recycling -- This program focuses on capturing organic materials (food scraps, meats, fish, bones, vegetables, fruits, snack foods, breads, and soiled paper items) from the waste stream and delivers it to the city’s composting facility where it is used to make Texas Pure Compost.
	Single-Stream Recycling -- The Single-Stream Recycling Program allows businesses to place all acceptable recycling materials into one collection container.

Business of all sizes are welcome to participate in any or all of these programs to conserve natural resources, support reuse markets, and stimulate the local economy.  There is also the potential to save money in the process.

Professionally trained recycling coordinators are available to perform waste stream audits and recommend the appropriate recycling program.  All pertinent business employees, including custodial staff, will be trained to ensure recycling success.

In addition to recycling programs, the Commercial Recycling Division hosts a number of Green Business Seminars throughout the year.  These seminars provide a great opportunity to learn and network with other’s who work in Plano.

If you would like to learn how other businesses have benefited from our programs and successfully supported environmental initiatives, please visit our Success Stories.

To learn more about these programs and to begin your journey towards environmental excellence, please contact Rita Keys at 972-769-4393 or ritak@plano.gov.