Recycled waste and trash is at the back end of most company’s operations and is not always given enough attention. This is complicated by the fact that some waste dealers may not work to maximize your revenue. With a little attention and due diligence with your local dealers you can increase your profits.

If you sell your waste as a loose product there are a few things you can do to improve your revenue. The first is to examine further segregation. Based on your waste stream additional segregation may help. Separating coated from uncoated, unprinted from printed can make a big difference. This takes a bit of time, education and organization. Focus on the press and cutter areas. Mark waste bins with the grade of paper. If you are producing perfect bound books separate the side trim from the front trim. Examine each place where waste is generated to see if further segregation is possible or profitable. Since further segregation increases your revenue and may decrease your waste dealer’s revenue not all dealers will help or encourage you to do this until pushed.

If additional segregation does not make sense, you may be able to negotiate a special grade for your paper if you have a small amount of a lower grade waste mixed in. For example, lightly printed, or a small amount of printed, mixed with unprinted. Trimmed waste from a saddle stitcher may not have much printing and may be sold at a higher price.