The Papermine: Making Money Recycling Paper

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• Ambition
• Regular hours
• Pickup or trailer
• A small scale for weighing papers

Have you ever thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" One of the easiest ways to make extra money working at home is probably just sitting in your garage. That stack of daily newspapers is good for packing gifts at Christmas, but what if you were to sell them to a recycling center? You're probably thinking, "I have papers but not enough to make a decent income." Now, think outside of the recycle bin. Think about the stacks of papers that you would have if you were to collect and haul away papers for your neighborhood. Suppose you collect a ten-pound stack of newspapers from each house on your street every Saturday. Ah ha, the picture changes.

Currently, the going rate for old newspapers is about $100 per ton. So, if you're serious about working at home, you can easily make $300 every weekend. All you have to do is get organized and do a little homework.

1. The first thing you need to do is contact the recycling centers in your area and find out what they will buy from you and how the goods need to be packaged. For example, many recycling plants prefer the papers loose, rather than bundled or stacked. In addition to newspapers, recycling centers usually collect cardboard as well. While you are collecting newspapers you might as well pick up old boxes too. Flattened cardboard boxes run about $125 per ton.
   
2. Once you've contacted the recycling centers, you need to clear a space in your garage or storage shed. All you need is an 8 by 12-foot space. Some collectors even rent space in a nearby mini-warehouse.
   
3. Next, you should place an ad in your local newspaper. Example: Newspapers and cardboard boxes hauled away FREE. Call 123-4567. Contact your neighbors and let them know when you'll be by to collect their papers. Determine where and when you will pick up the papers with each customer. It would be more efficient for you if each customer left their stack in a convenient place for you to pick them up so you don't have to go door to door ringing doorbells each time.
   
4. If you have a pick-up truck or an open trailer, this will work best. If not, you may need to rent one. Grab a few volunteers - your kids, your kids' friends, or a couple of local teenagers looking for a few bucks. You should drive while your helpers go door to door collecting the papers and neatly stacking them in the truck or trailer. It's always advantageous to advertise your business so you should use a sign on the side of your vehicle that reads "Paper Collection Service".
   
5. Once your load is full, you need to decide whether it will be advantageous to take the papers directly to the recycle center or drop them off at your convenient storage area and get right back to work. Depending on where your recycle center is, it may be wise to take each load directly there, however, don't make the mistake of taking in just one load. As long as there is daylight, imagine how many more papers you can collect.
   
6. Lastly, make sure you follow the same collection route each time to develop a routine and make neighbors aware of when you'll be by. Good luck and have fun. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make money and meet your neighbors at the same time.
   

IMPORTANT TIPS FROM SUCCESSFUL RECYCLERS

• The best way to pay your help: base it on the percentage of tonnage you sell.
• Invest in a truck or trailer that can hold a couple of tons of paper per load.
• Make regular rounds, calling on the same houses regularly.
• Be prepared to move your collection area to a larger location as your business grows.
  A closed down service station works well, or a storage shed in a local business parking lot, or a vacant lot. Be sure to contact the owners first.
• Continue your weekly collection routine even after you have another collection depot.
• Get the community involved and aware of the importance of recycling. You'll get better results from people who understand the importance of recycling and making it easy for them to help out.
• Always keep your storage area or depot CLEAN AND NEAT. Look professional.