Description of Service
Under the current primary contract for these services (see below), the following items are acceptable for mixed paper recycling:

• Computer print outs
• Printed white paper and colored paper (pen & pencil marks okay)
• Notebook paper
• Adding machine paper
• File folders (manila, white, or pastel colored)
• Carbonless paper and forms (NCR paper)
• Self-adhesive notes
• Card stock (manila or colored)
• Fax paper
• Newspapers & magazines
• Junk mail
• Soft covered books with white pages
• Hanging folders (brown or green Pendaflex papers) 
• Brochures
• Index/Times cards
  

Under the contract, the following items are NOT acceptable:

• Kitchen & food waste (used paper plates, cups, bottles food wrappers)
• Paper towels, napkins, & tissues
• Carbon paper
• Tear resistant papers (i.e. flimsy Federal Express envelopes)
• Water resistant papers 
• Pressure sensitive adhesive labels (crack & peel labels)
• Restroom waste
  

Cardboard & Paperboard Packaging

•  This items are collected separately
  

Procedure

• Ensure collection services are available at your building
  This collection service has already been established at most GSA managed buildings.  Custodial staff should be picking up this material and transferring it to a central collection point.  The service provider then picks it up from there.  If in doubt, ask your department's Resource Conservation Committee representative and/or building manager.  If no service exists, contact the service provider directly.
    
• Order recycling bins for each desk and/or satellite locations
  Blue bins for mixed paper recycling can be purchased through the GSA Supply Catalogue (Item W-2302 @$3.40 each).   Please order directly through your department's appropriate GSA procurement liaison or by contacting your department's Resource Conservation Committee representative.
   
• Segregate acceptable mixed paper items from the rest of the trash.
  See description above for items that are acceptable.
   
• Tell your co-workers
  Please let your co-workers and the public know about your recycling procedures.
  
  
• Service Provider(s)
  Mixed office paper recycling is available to Miami-Dade County managed facilities through:
  
  Southeastern Recycling Corporation
  5703 NW 35 Avenue
  Miami, Florida 33142
  Tel.: 305-634-1180
  Fax: 305-634-1190
  E-mail: office@serflorida.com
  Website: www.serflorida.com
  
  Office document shredding is available to Miami-Dade County managed facilities through:
  
  Shred-It US, Inc.
  1885 W. State Road 84 Suite 106
  Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315
  Tel: 954-463-9113
  Fax: 954-767-9366
  E-mail: miaigm@shredit.com
  Website: www.shredit.com
  
  Reference:
  
   Mixed Paper & Cardboard Recycling Services 6829-2/11 (9/1/2008 - 8/31/2010)
  
  Bin poster: Acceptable & Unacceptable Items
  Cost
  The company will provide (96 gallon) toters for a building’s central collection point free of charge.  A small amount of revenue is generated from this service that is spent by the Resource Conservation Committee for education, promotion, and other Committee initiatives.  Larger dumpsters are available for a nominal monthly fee.  Recycling office paper reduces the volume of trash and associated expenses.
  
  FAQ

1. Why are some materials not acceptable?
   Contamination cannot only make the contents of your bin un-recyclable, but it can also contaminate the paper from your whole building or department.  This may lead to it all being thrown in the garbage and taken to the landfill.  This wastes valuable resources and can cost the County more money.
    
2. Do I have to remove staples and paper clips before recycling?
   Staples & paperclips do NOT have to be removed.
    
3. Is this service available to all buildings?
   The availability of service may depend on frequency and volume for collection, as well as building location.
    
4. Doesn’t the janitorial staff just throw this in the trash anyway?
   Education of the janitorial staff is a continual process.  In County operated buildings with recycling services, they are instructed to keep recycling materials and trash segregated.  In some instances, janitorial staff may use the same or similar bins at different times to transport recyclable materials and trash to central collection points.  This saves them from purchasing and managing an extra collection bin.
    
5. What happens to the materials collected for recycling?
   These materials are transported to the company providing recycling services where they may be bundled and sold to other companies that are able to use this waste as a raw material.   A variety of new products may then be manufactured from this raw material including new recycled-content paper and similar office supplies.
    
6. Why is recycling paper important?
   According to Environmental Defense, “Of manufacturing industries, paper ranks first in water use, third in energy intensity and fifth for toxic releases.  Paper is also the largest component of solid waste.”

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