How to Start a Recycling Program for Your Gas Station

Recycling isn’t just for offices and households—it can make a big difference at gas stations too. With constant customer traffic, product packaging, and beverage waste, gas stations generate a significant amount of recyclable material daily.

Starting a comprehensive recycling program is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint, appeal to eco-conscious customers, and potentially lower your waste disposal costs. Here’s how to kickstart your program in 8 practical steps.

Step 1: Assess Your Waste Stream

Before launching any recycling plan, take a close look at what your gas station is actually throwing away. Conduct a simple waste audit over the course of a few days or a week. Track the volume and types of waste being generated, such as:

• Plastic drink bottles
• Aluminum cans
• Paper receipts and flyers
• Cardboard boxes from deliveries
• Food wrappers and coffee cups

Understanding what’s filling your trash bins is the first step toward building a recycling strategy that works.

Step 2: Choose What to Recycle

Once you’ve identified what you’re discarding most, determine which items can be recycled in your area. Some common materials gas stations can divert from the landfill include:

• Plastic and aluminum beverage containers
• Cardboard packaging
• Paper waste (non-glossy)
• Used motor oil and batteries (if collected onsite)

Check with your local recycling facility or hauler to confirm what’s accepted and whether any materials require special handling.

Step 3: Set Up Recycling Infrastructure

Now it’s time to make it easy for staff and customers to recycle. Install gas station waste containers that are clearly marked for recycling and conveniently located:

• Near fuel pumps (for beverage containers)
• Inside the store (next to trash bins)
• In employee-only areas (back rooms, break areas)

Use color-coded bins and large, easy-to-read signage. Avoid contamination by including visuals that show what goes where. For back-end operations, consider adding a commercial compactor to reduce the volume of waste and recyclables, making storage and hauling more efficient—especially for high-traffic locations.

Step 4: Train Staff and Get Them Onboard

Your business recycling program won’t succeed without employee buy-in. Train your staff on what can and can’t be recycled, and how to keep bins uncontaminated. Quick-reference guides at each station can help. Empower them to educate customers politely when needed and to report any issues with bin overflow or misuse.

Step 5: Engage and Educate Customers

Customers won’t recycle if they don’t know they can—or how to do it. Promote your program with in-store signage, pump-top ads, and even digital touchpoints like your gas station app or social media channels. Include messaging like:

• “Help us keep it green—recycle your bottles and cans here!”
• “Doing your part is as easy as filling your tank.”

Friendly prompts go a long way toward changing behavior.

Step 6: Monitor, Measure, and Improve

Once your recycling bins are in place and your recycling initiatives are up and running, it’s important to track how things are going. Monitor bin contents for contamination and overflow. Record how much material is being recycled and identify any problem areas.

Set improvement goals, such as reducing contamination or increasing volume by a certain percentage over time. Adjust your signage, bin locations, or staff training based on what you observe.

Step 7: Partner with Suppliers and Local Programs

Look beyond your own waste. Encourage your suppliers to reduce packaging waste or deliver products in recyclable or reusable containers. Ask about take-back programs for pallets, containers, or batteries. You can also join local business recycling campaigns or community clean-up efforts to boost your sustainability reputation.

Step 8: Overcome Common Challenges

Recycling at gas stations isn’t without its hurdles. Some of the most common issues include:

• Misused bins: Use clearer signage or relocate bins to high-visibility spots.
• Space constraints: Opt for compact, stackable bins or multipurpose waste stations.
• Hazardous waste concerns: Ensure oil, batteries, and other regulated items are stored and disposed of according to local regulations.
• Cost concerns: Weigh the potential for reduced landfill pickup frequency against the cost of recycling service. Many haulers offer customized plans for small businesses.

Partner with Global Trash Solutions to Maximize Your Impact

By implementing a smart and comprehensive recycling program at your gas station, you’re not just cutting down on waste—you’re building a cleaner, more efficient business. At Global Trash Solutions, we make it even easier to maximize your recycling efforts with our industry-leading commercial balers and sustainability consulting services.

Whether you’re looking to compress cardboard on-site or develop a full-scale waste reduction strategy, our team is here to help you boost efficiency, reduce hauling costs, and meet your environmental goals. Let us help you turn waste into opportunity.