Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to recycling, QRS has the answers you’re looking for.

QRS Recycling prides itself on being an expert and pioneer in the field of recycling – you likely have plenty of questions about implementing a recycling program, and we’re here to help you find the answers that make the entire process as simple and effective as possible.

Below, you’ll find some of the most common questions about QRS Recycling and how to introduce a recycling solution into your business – if you have any additional questions not answered here, or if you would like to schedule a time where we can learn about your business and your sustainability goals, contact QRS Recycling at 888-366-3777.

Questions About QRS Recycling Services

Isn’t recycling expensive and time-consuming?

This is one of the most common misconceptions about recycling. Thanks to advanced new technologies for separating and sorting recyclables, simpler, more effective ways to recycle, and new markets for recycled materials, recycling is not only easier than ever, it can actually be good for your business’ bottom line.

Recyclable goods have value – burying them in a landfill is literally like throwing away money. Recycling not only saves you money on the cost of hauling and burying that waste – you actually gain the opportunity to save, or even earn money on those recyclables. Plus, unique QRS solutions like QRS Single Stream and QRS Total take virtually all the hassle out of recycling – we do the work for you.

For more information, take a look at It Pays To Be Green.

How can recycling be good for my business?

It all comes down to waste diversion. Take a look at what’s in your trash can right now – more than likely, at least half of the waste in there is recyclable. And recyclable goods are a valuable commodity in that they can be processed and sold to make new products. When recyclable goods are buried in a landfill, it’s the same as tossing money into the trash. If, instead, you recycle these goods, not only are you saving money on the cost of hauling and burying that waste, you’re actually gaining the opportunity to save, or even earn money with those recyclables.

For more information, take a look at It Pays To Be Green. Or, find out how much recycling could impact your business’ bottom line by Calculating Your Savings.

How much can recycling save me?

QRS Recycling’s entire mission is to maximize your recycling potential. The more waste we can divert from landfills, the better it is for you, for us, and for the environment. That’s why QRS makes every effort to get the most out of your waste, utilizing advanced recycling technology and easy-to-adopt services to make recycling efficient and effective.

A conservative estimate puts 70% of office workplace trash as recyclable. That’s 70% of waste that can be diverted from landfills, recycled, and sold to be processed into new goods, saving – and even potentially earning – you money. To find out just how much recycling can save your business, visit Calculate Your Savings.

What types of businesses does QRS work with?

Large or small, no matter what your business, and no matter what type of waste you generate, QRS Recycling has the experience and the expertise to partner with you to develop a sustainability solution that will work for you and your employees. To see some of the businesses we serve, and the recycling solutions we offer them, visit Customers Served.

What recyclable materials does QRS accept? Is there anything QRS doesn’t accept?

Thanks to the latest recycling sorting and processing technology, QRS Recycling accepts some of the widest variety of recyclables in the industry. This includes all types of paper and cardboard (“anything that tears”), most plastics*, and a number of metals, including iron, copper, and aluminum.

QRS does not recycle glass or #6 plastics (also known as Polystyrene, or Styrofoam). We do not accept food-contaminated materials (all containers must be emptied and rinsed), containers that contained hazardous materials (motor oil, insecticides, etc.), expanded foam containers, restroom papers, or papers that contain synthetic materials. Other that, you’re good to go!

What recycling services does QRS offer?

QRS Recycling offers a wide variety of recycling solutions, personalized to your business’ unique needs. Whether you’re looking to save money, save the environment, or just save time, QRS will partner with you to develop a recycling solution to help you accomplish your goals. These solutions include:

QRS Source Separated, which offers the opportunity for increased revenue by putting you in control of your company’s recycling efforts – all the sorting is in your hands.

QRS Single Stream, which delivers a convenient, one-step recycling solution that makes recycling as easy as throwing out the trash – with no need for sorting.

QRS Dry Waste, which provides a simplified, all-in-one recycling and disposal solution for businesses that produce recyclables and waste that is dry.

QRS Total, which manages every aspect of waste disposal and recycling, from big picture planning to day-by-day operations, so you can focus on your core business.

What other services can QRS Recycling provide?

QRS Recycling offers a wide variety of on-site services and equipment sales and leasing to provide a recycling solution personalized to your business’ unique needs. Whether you’re looking to save money, save the environment, or just save time, QRS will partner with you to develop a recycling solution to help you accomplish your goals. These solutions include:

• Equipment Provided (Balers, Compactors)
• Equipment Sales and Lease
• Baling Wire Sales and Delivery
• On-site Personnel for Comprehensive Recycling Programs (campus programs, mall complexes, etc.)
• Free Waste and Recycling Audit
• Large File Purges and Cleanouts of Recyclable Materials
  Confidential and Secured Product Destruction (destruction provided by industrial baler compaction to render products useless for resale or product liability)

What is single-stream recycling?

In the past, recyclables had to be sorted and separated by your employees before they could be recycled. This
time-consuming process was often a major roadblock to businesses adopting recycling programs. But not anymore, QRS Single Stream Recycling allows your employees to combine all of their recyclables in the same container, and leave the sorting to us. With QRS Single Stream, recycling is as quick and simple as trash disposal: One step, one can. Sounds simple, it is… this small difference can have a big impact on the environment – and your bottom line.

For more information, check out QRS Single Stream.

What areas does QRS serve?

As the largest recycler in the Louisville Metro area, QRS Recycling serves a 400-mile radius, as well, we are also offer sorting solutions to MRF operators within a 400-mile radius of Atlanta - and potentially beyond. To see if QRS covers your area, give us a call at 888-366-3777.

How can I get started with a QRS recycling program?

Often, the first step is education. Many businesses still think recycling is time-consuming or costly when, in fact, thanks to advanced new recycling technology and services, the exact opposite is true. You can get the ball rolling by becoming the Green Champion for your business, proactively introducing the subject of recycling, educating others on it, and working to convince management to implement a recycling program.

Once you’ve got your business on-board with the idea of recycling, it’s just a simple matter of contacting QRS. We’ll perform a waste audit to determine your recycling goals, how much waste your company generates, and how much of that can be recycled. From there, we will work together to develop a personalized recycling solution to meet your goals and maximize your recycling potential.

For more information, take a look at What Can You Do?

Is implementing a recycling program difficult?

Not with QRS! If you decide to partner with us for your recycling needs, we will work with you to make introducing a recycling solution to your business as quick, easy, and painless as possible – educating your employees on the new system and providing useful training materials to help get them started. Plus, with recycling solutions like QRS Single Stream and QRS Total, recycling really is just as easy as throwing out the trash!

For more information, take a look at What Can You Do?

What if I need an extra recycling pick-up?

No problem – if you have increased volume, unexpected waste, or any other extra needs, you can contact us at any time to schedule additional recycling pick-ups.

What else can I do to help our business go green?

Recycling is a great way to help the environment, but there’s always more you can do.

Reduce the waste your company generates at the source – send emails instead of memos, buy recycled-content office supplies, print on both sides of paper. Precycle – close the loop by purchasing goods that are easier to recycle and that are made from recycled goods. It all adds up, and makes your recycling program that much more effective.

For more information, take a look at What Can You Do?