How Recofloor works for distributors
Implementing a Recofloor drop-off point provides twin advantages: it gives you a sustainable way of disposing of your own roll-ends, and it strengthens your business by enabling local contractors and fitters to drop-off small volumes of specified vinyl flooring.
Most distributors use our Recofloor bins; if space is tight, we can provide bulk bags for pallets instead.
The scheme is free to join and use – there is no charge for deliveries or collections.
Getting set up
Decide what to recycle
You can decide what type of vinyl flooring you want to collect, as long as it fits our material specification. If you only sell safety flooring, for example, it’s fine to accept only safety flooring waste.
Make sure that everyone involved in the scheme is familiar with our specifications – it’s essential that only material suitable for recycling is collected.
Deploy Recofloor bins
We provide one or two 1100ml Recofloor metal bins and Recofloor clear sacks for your trade customers. Each bin:
With two bins, you can allocate one for offcuts and one for uplifted material. This keeps the two waste streams separate, improving the quality of what goes through for recycling and saving sorting time.
If you only have space for one bin and are happy to allow drop-off of both offcuts and uplifted material, contractors can put both in the single bin. However, uplifted material needs to be kept separate using Recofloor clear sacks. Recofloor clear sacks are clearly labelled and each bag holds around 10-12m2 of flooring.
The bins remain the property of Recofloor. They must be looked after to prevent damages (read our bin care guide) and returned to us if you decide to stop collecting.
Use bulk bags on pallets
If you don’t have space for bins, we can provide you with bulk bags for pallets.
Each bag is 1m3 and holds around 80m2 of flooring, or 250 – 300kg.
You must place each bulk bag securely on a standard Euro pallet (1200mm×1000mm).
Bags are clearly labelled and colour-coded for each of the three different waste categories:
If using clear sacks, empty out the sack and reuse if in good condition. Otherwise put full sack in corresponding bag.
Waste regulations
Storing waste temporarily for Recofloor is exempt from the waste regulations. However, if you decide to extend the service and offer your own collections to trade customers, you’ll need to apply for a lower-tier carrier licence.
Offering your own collection service
If you would like to offer your own collections service to trade customers and bulk up Recofloor material at your premises for us to collect, we can supply bulk bags for you to distribute. Alternatively, your customers can order them directly from us.
Minimising the carbon footprint of collections
When you sign up, we assess collection options to identify the lowest carbon footprint option. Collections will be allocated to either Altro or Polyflor, and will normally take place alongside a new delivery, avoiding extra journeys.
Preparing for launch
We provide a box of Recofloor clear sacks to hand out, plus flyers to promote the scheme and a welcome pack including a certificate of commitment and useful resources. You can also buy signage to publicise the drop-off site.
Operating Recofloor
Once you have identified the type of vinyl you want to collect and a suitable location for the bin(s), sign up with Recofloor. We’ll then contact you to share the Service Agreement and make arrangements to deliver the bins and your first set of Recofloor clear sacks.
Running your drop-off site
Running the drop-off site is simple:
- Familiarise drop-off site users with the Recofloor material specification and ask them to register with us. They will receive a Certificate of Commitment and useful information about the scheme.
- Hand out the clear sacks to trade customers (they can also order sacks direct from us).
- Customers bring sacks back when full and put material in the relevant bin(s) or bulk bags (or leave it in a designated area for you to sort if that works better for you)
- Monitor for items that are not accepted under our specification and remove.
- If clear sacks are in a good condition, they can be emptied out in the correct bin or bulk bag and reused. Otherwise put full sacks in the bin or bulk bag. Uplifted flooring, needs to be kept in the sack if there is only one Recofloor bin and will be put with offcuts.
Disposing of your own roll-ends
Your roll-ends or old vinyl rolls must be palletised – see how to pack roll-ends for collection. Then simply include the roll-ends in your collection request when you book a collection. Alternatively, you can cut up and put into the bins or bulk bags.
How to order collections and replacement bins/bags
To order free collections/replacements for bins or bulk bags, use our online distributor order form. You can also use the form to order new bulk bags and clear sacks at any time.
Book a collection when the bins/bags are nearly full. For bin replacements, include the bin serial number(s). For bulk bag collections, book for the correct number of bags (minimum 2). For roll-ends collections, book for the correct number of double pallets.
Make sure everyone involved with the scheme understands that transport drivers can’t accept any of the following:
Altro, Polyflor or a third-party haulier will collect the full bin(s)/bulk bags within 4 – 10 working days, after a request has been made and replace full bin(s) with empty bin(s). Replacement bags can be ordered via the Distributors’ order form. A waste transfer note will be emailed to you after collection.
Altro and Polyflor material
If you’re collecting Altro or Polyflor material, let us know. We can create Recofloor case studies around your efforts. We’ll also pass details on to the manufacturers, who may follow up with publicity activity.
Evidence of recycling
After your first collection with Recofloor you will receive a printed copy of our Membership Certificate. Additionally, you can ask us for statement letters at any time showing the amount of material collected for a particular time period. You can use these to apply for environmental industry awards or certificates that will help you win more business. This evidence is particularly valuable where proof of recycling is a requirement in the tender process.
Promote Recofloor to your trade customers
We can help you promote Recofloor to your trade customers – just get in touch.
Our bacon butty events are a popular option. We make the arrangements and provide the butties; you supply the tea and coffee. Our team will come and talk to your customers, and regular scheme users can chat to those who have not yet signed up. It’s an effective way of encouraging people to participate (and so visit your store more often than other local competitor stores!).
We’re also happy to attend trade events and shows with you.
Make the right choice – join Recofloor!
How Recofloor is working for distributors
See other drop-off sites in your area
Get In Touch
Call 0161 355 7618 or email info@recofloor.org
