Recycling Businesses?

[lex]

Hey,

What businesses are there that allow profit to be made from recycling?

I know the UK and councils etc already have recycling programs, but what about those countries with less recycling methods in place like portugal, would this be an opportunity for a business?

Thanks

 

[swsw]

It's an industry that's growing so should be teeming with opportunities.

You say 'uk and councils etc already have recycling programs'. I take this to mean you believe that opportunities here have already been exploited.

I'd say we haven't even started yet.

But to answer your question, sure, loads of opportunities in the western world (where people and governments are rich enough to absorb the expense)

Em...actually I'm not sure the penny has dropped yet that all this green stuff does mean more cost.(another topic, sorry)

You can't fault going green. But doesn't it just freak you out when companies say 'we're green because its good for the environment', when they really mean 'it gives us a chance to cut service(and our cost) while giving us an alibi' ?

Like bloody hotels.

'We care about the environment, so help us save the environment by re-using your towel.'

Rubbish, their motive is to save money. I am the only one to find stuff like this insulting ?


All the best,

Steve

 

[nick_b]

i beleive the government has set up all sorts of bursaries etc to encourage people to get involved in this area

 

[Chris Kaday]

there is an old saying that 'where their's muck there's brass' and has never been truer than with recycling. Or put it another way there is always money to be made from solving problems and the process of recycling is a big problem for everyone in the chain.

Needs a lot of research though - hit that web!

Chris Kaday

 

[DavidT]

I am sure there is so much scope out there, in countries around the world. For me, best left to those that know it.

In Poland, they recycle bottles (beer I mostly notice). I remember as a kid in Australia we used to gt a few cents for return glass bottles to shops. Here, buy beer from the shop and they will charge you extra for the bottle unless you have an empty to exchange.

Got in trouble at a bar here when I threw a bottle in the bin... the owner fished it out and told me to give it back across the bar as it meant money for them. Money... recycling... fair enough.

Still not sure why something like this stopped, or isn't currently happening in Australia and the UK but guess they recycle the glass in one way or another... just not sure then on the environmental cost of recycling glass as opposed to the cost of cleaning/disinfecting undamaged bottles... that's where I'd say leave it to those that know.

 

[lex]

OK Thanks,

I know germany is supposed to be super recycling freaks, so ill look into what they do over there see if i can come up with anything.

But if anyone has any ideas

I have been looking at IT recycling. But there are some countries who dont have any laws etc to encourage recycling at all, are there any opportunities there?

 

[frockery]

As one who worked for too many years as a parliamentary researcher, latterly for a Member whose portfolio covered waste and enterprise issues, I would say there are a lot of unexploited business opportunities in the recycling sector. My own business is geared to textiles recycling and I know several other entrepreneurs who are into recycling furniture, IT equipment and items subject to the WEEE regulations. The Wrap website (wrap.org.uk from memory) may give you a few pointers.
Regards,
Alison

 

[lex]

Greatm

Anyone have any small scale ideas, i looked into tyre recycling and it can cost a few million to setup a plant which i dont have! Any ways of starting small and growing would be appreciated.

 

[swsw]

Sure,

In the case of tyre recycling.

find a tyre recycler. Offer to find customers for a commission.

Find people with tyres to dispose of, give them a service they need (eg take the tires away or whatever).

Prove you're to be trusted. Get contracts. Etc.

Simplistic and obvious, no doubt there's more to it. Doesn't matter. Getting started is what matters, learn as you go.

My point is when you think you need OPM(other people's money), many times you can start with OPR (other peoples resources)

All the best,

Steve

 

[lex]

Thanks for the tip, never thought about that.

 

[DavidT]

I think that was put perfectly Steve.

Simple yet inspiring... almost felt like getting out & finding some tyres myself!

 

[swsw]

Thank you,

Have 2 in my yard for starters

Steve

 

[Philip Hoyle]

I think the fact that most recycling is controlled by local councils and other govt quangos makes it clear that there are loads of opportunities out there - the councils are just doing what they need to do for political expediency and probably doing it in an inefficient manner. Why not start at the other end and look to what the users might need that isn't already catered for. I.e. look to satisfy a demand. Personally, I think the very small business sector is completely ignored - the smallest businesses are often prevented from using the local public recycling centres yet the established B2B waste companies tend to be far too big and expensive for the smallest of business. They are OK if you want a giant wheelie outside but not for anything else! How about the equivalent of smaller skips and recycling boxes for small businesses - I would imagine there'd be grants available for starting up such a business as most small businesses aren't recycling at the moment because they can't!

 

[MorrisChesterfield]

Good and interesting thread,

lex - have you tried anything. im in the same position as you, i am currently looking for somthing in recycling as i think its going to be the major player in business.

I currently do used clothes for recycling and it fetches good money.

used engine oil - there must be a use for it, any ideas?

ben

 

[Recycling Man]

Hey,

What businesses are there that allow profit to be made from recycling?

I know the UK and councils etc already have recycling programs, but what about those countries with less recycling methods in place like portugal, would this be an opportunity for a business?

Thanks

Hi Lex,
All recycling is profitable, just buy cheap / or charge and sell high
Yes there would be good opportunities elsewhere - S.Africa for one. In the ideal world you need a "collection infrastructure" Government incentive + cheap labour + end market - -
Are you based in the UK?

 

[chunkytransport]

i know a fair bit about recycling, i work at a wood/green waste recycling company, i want to start up on my own, i have cpc nat/int, adr, epic, etc but no money

 

[sddcouk]

Hi

We manage to make profit out recycling by putting the main focus on protecting customers data - eg destroying information on hard drives and other electronic media. We build environmental considerations into this explaining the environmental impact of different computer recycling and data destruction methods.