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  1. #1
    TheDude80 started this thread.
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    Recycling Drive this coming Earth Day (April 22nd, 2017)

    Alright it's time to put up or shut up. I've set a lofty goal of planning the initial stages and logistics that would go into having a local recycling drive in my City. I've been doing e-waste recycling, refurbishment, etc for the past 4 years (Member since Feb 2013) and I think I've waited long enough to pull the trigger on such an event. I wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this forum over the past 4 years and honestly helped me to figure out any question that I might have had. I stumbled onto the forum after going to the scrap yard for the first time, and feeling that I got hosed, and I did. I started reading about e-waste and the rest is honestly history. I was hooked. Over the past few years, I've continued to research and read while trying to figure out how I could make this a reality. After many short comings over the years (mostly all do to my own bad habits) I'm finally fed up and ready to give it a go. So, now that everyone is up to speed, let me say I'm not looking for a road map from anyone. I realize there are numerous posts and threads on here discussing the topic, but I wanted to really give everyone a first had experience as the day comes closer. Honestly I'm not sure I will hit the target date with what all needs to be done before hand, but I'm gonna give it my best **** shot and leave nothing on the table. If you're shooting for nothing you'll hit it everytime, so the date is set. My estimates as far as initial cost are around $750 give or take. That number includes (3) employees not including myself for 8 hrs at $15 per hour, (1) 24' box truck, (1) 16' pull behind trailer, and (2) Large storage units with dock access. One of these units would be used for storage of the items acquired from the drive, and the second would be as a processing unit/for overflow of the first unit. I also have been refinishing the basement in the house my girlfriend, kids, and myself are currently living in. I hope to have it mostly ready by the target date of April 22nd, but again this is a lofty goal considering the current condition (before and after pictures will be posted). I'm more then willing and would like feedback from what I've posted thus far (there is way more that i've written down and tried to factor in). Or if someone who has either done a recycling event in the past, and want's to share their thoughts/experiences or constructive criticism, I'm all ears. Whatever happens, I will be sure to keep the forum and this thread updated with my progress, setbacks, or thoughts. Thanks again for everyone of you who has contributed and continues to. See you at the top


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  3. #2
    mikeinreco's Avatar
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    GOOD FOR YOU........I know you didn't want to hear much feedback but my only question was would the recycling drive generate enough to absorb the costs you are talking about.....Either way good luck and wish you all THE BEST

  4. #3
    mikeinreco's Avatar
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    Also not sure of your exact location but $15/hr here is skilled labor pay......LOL

  5. #4
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    From my own experience dealing with the public, (even though I haven't run a drive) is that the majority of people have tvs and printers to dispose of. Worries of data secutity keep a lot of desktops and laptops hiding in a closet. Be prepared for a majority of the material costing you money.

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  7. #5
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    Also, I'd like to add that I probably would never host a public drive unless i was much bigger. Right now, I am the only employee, but i still have a 2000 sq foot warehouse. I have an easy system for getting material from the public which doesn't require help or more space unless you want it too. Feel free to msg me if you're interested.
    Last edited by ryanw; 02-04-2017 at 11:57 PM.

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  9. #6
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    Also I have a question. I was going to do something like this at my church, to split the profits. I was a little worried about state regulations, so i called the State EPA to see if I could do it. It stated I needed to meet certain requirements, mostly about documenting about how I would be disposing of all the product. Fines up to $10k, or something like that. It scared me off and I did not do. Anyone else ever have this type of issue? Thank you

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  11. #7
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    Be ready for lots of CRT's and printers, and not much of anything with any value. Also plan on loosing money on the drive, or at the very best breaking even. Recycling drives are not a sustainable revenue stream.

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  13. #8
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    I have done collection for several years. They are not a big money maker. You will get lot of TVs and monitors. Someone have to pay for them . Printer are the next most popular thing.

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  15. #9
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    It will get your name out there . That might help in the long run . If you do not have everything planned already . You are running out of time .

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  17. #10
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    When you do this on Earth Day hand out some seed packs of flowers or vegies with a business card attached. Another expense but good advertising!

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  19. #11
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    Like Hobo said business cards. A pamphlet about what you take . How you handle their hard drive. How you properly handle the TVs etc. It can be printed out on computer paper and fold into a nice neat pamphlet. Where your business is located and hours.

  20. #12
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    You need to nix the labor costs. What will you possibly need three extra people for? The way you have it laid out it will definitely be hard to make any money. You may find that your help make more money in the end than you do

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  22. #13
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    Yea at $15 hour can you provide 40 hrs/wk plus benefits im in

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  24. #14
    TheDude80 started this thread.
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    Just wanted to thank everyone who has posted with their questions/concerns. I factored in 3 additional employees simply in case I needed some extra muscle on the day of the event. Basically I have a few people I'm considering (close friends which is why I stated $15 an hour. These guys make $40-50 an hour at their normal jobs). They have committed, however they work in the type of field where work pops up at a moments notice, and spring is a very busy time. I have 3 other guys on standby in case any/all of my original 3 were unable to make it for whatever reason. I realize printers, TV's, monitors, VCR's and other low profit items are probably going to make up a good majority of the items, but I am planning on charging $10-$15 for each TV/Monitor (Initial thought) in order to not only cover my costs but maybe also generate a little for the organization I'm hosting the drive for. My intention is on initially trying to have the non-profit/organization front the cost for labor, and maybe a portion of the trailer/truck/storage unit cost ($500 ballpark figure but I have an exact number in mind). I would then return half of that initial fee back to them, plus 50% of any profits going back to the organization. I'm pretty confident that given enough time and networking I can make it worth that to them, and also profitable for both parties. I've done sales and customer service for most of my life, so I know how to sell and talk to people like most people know how to breath. I only need 1 yes, and am more the willing to get 100 no's before getting that 1 yes. A company held a similar event at our local zoo and they had to shut it down half way thru because they were overwhelmed with the response and material. I'm by no means saying that will be the case with me (although I'm obviously hoping for that), but I'm lucky to have some very smart and successful friends and business minded people around me. Although I'm not planning on asking them for any investment backing, they can , and have given me a ton of useful advice/suggestions, tips when it comes to business logistics and running a successful company. So I'm very fortunate from that standpoint as well. Any other advice or ideas, criticism, etc is more then welcome.

    @Mike- No I welcome all the feedback, positive or negative, that people want to give Honestly.
    @Auburn - I figure that TV's/CRT's and Printers will make up a good portion of the material, but I've made great returns on printers, parts, and I'm also not taking TV's/CRT's for free. I'm more then willing to take them, and deal the with logistics of getting them recycled properly, but I will not lose money on them. This drive is more about getting my name out there and trying to raise some funds for charity. I'm fully aware this is not going to help me retire or shoot me into the limelight, but its definitely a step in the right direction.
    @Hobo- Great Idea my friend. I have heard/read on the forum about people using these as business cards, and actually had forgotten all about them, until you mention it. So thanks for that Hobo

    Question for all of you out there who have held a drive: What would you have done different that might have made it a more profitable or beneficial to you? Did you get any leads/contacts that lead to either a steady flow/load of material, or even residual customers. I'm curious to see what you might have to say.
    Last edited by TheDude80; 02-05-2017 at 10:44 PM.

  25. #15
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    What town in Ohio will this take place?

  26. #16
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    I haven't done a drive like this but volunteered at a Food drive last Holiday season. A couple of ideas if you are partnering with a charity send out a press release Time Date Location put yourself as contact. Email or call the news stations if it is slow news day they might show up. Look for volunteers at High schools they have to get hours of community service. If you get several volunteers keep them busy picking up litter or doing Earthday things. A local real estate agent runs an Ecycle drop off event every year and offers document destruction and barbeque hot dogs and pop.

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  28. #17
    TheDude80 started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by street_sweeper View Post
    I haven't done a drive like this but volunteered at a Food drive last Holiday season. A couple of ideas if you are partnering with a charity send out a press release Time Date Location put yourself as contact. Email or call the news stations if it is slow news day they might show up. Look for volunteers at High schools they have to get hours of community service. If you get several volunteers keep them busy picking up litter or doing Earthday things. A local real estate agent runs an Ecycle drop off event every year and offers document destruction and barbeque hot dogs and pop.
    Thanks for the advice These area all really good ideas, that I had not thought of yet. Which is why I asked in the first place, and why I love this forum ; ) I'm honestly looking at the local Mission as my primary organization I'm trying to target. I would be willing to pay anyone at the shelter who was willing to work (at least 2-3 maybe more depending on how successful the event). So not only would I be bringing in money for their cause, but also I could help out at least a few of them, and put a couple bucks in their pocket. Win/Win/Win in my eyes

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  30. #18
    hobo finds's Avatar
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    I like both the shelter people and the students that need community service credits.

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  32. #19
    street_sweeper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hobo finds View Post
    I like both the shelter people and the students that need community service credits.
    I agree the high school kid next door has to volunteer a charities that serve the poor so check private or religious schools. The Food drive we volunteered at in December was really well organized the goal was 1 million meals and we stood around a mall parking lot trying not to get run over, one of our volunteers got a $500 check and somebody dropped of an envelope with $10,000 cash for the foodbank. They had good slogans HUNGER STOPS HERE 67 cents feeds a family. Here is a link with their stuff the toolkit has good ideas. They got the NFL bus and you could go inside.

    Food drive resources


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  34. #20
    TheDude80 started this thread.
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    Thank you so much Street Sweeper. I'll be sure to take a look thru the info, as I'm sure that there is material in there I can use. I love the slogan by the way : ) In my opinion, there should NEVER BE ONE PERSON WHO GOES HUNGRY, OR ANY VETERAN THAT GOES WITHOUT WHATEVER TYPE OF HELP THEY ARE IN NEED OF. Not in this country, not anywhere in the world frankly, and not if I can do anything about it. I hope that I am able to make a long lasting impact on everyone I meet. That's my goal, and that's what I'm about to do. Someone try and stop me

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