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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 .

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!

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.

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

What town in Ohio will this take place?

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.

Originally Posted by street_sweeper

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

I like both the shelter people and the students that need community service credits.

Originally Posted by hobo finds

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