Discovering a workable system for composting and recycling can be tricky. It took a lot of stratagem to find the right color and size container for each location in our stores, so that employees could work without being impeded by the new program, both physically and mentally.

The main strategy was to decrease the number of garbage containers with more compost and recycling containers. What I found worked best was color coordinating. I designated green containers as compost and used green compostable bags to match.

The same was done for recycling; I choose grey and black containers and color-coded them blue. And I changed nothing about the regular garbage containers, except ensuring that they were lined with bio-degradable liners so they would break down in the dump and expose the material to decay.

But before I set about placing all these colored receptacles around the store for use, I had to get employees used to the new color system, so color-coded signage was key.

As I said earlier, green for compost, blue for recycling and black and grey for garbage. I posted these signs in all departments, by the restrooms, hallways, water coolers, corners of walls and at the top and bottom of stairwells. Everyone had a chance to get familiar with the colors even before the program was implemented.

While my hope was to have everyone up to speed and well educated, it was still necessary to work with people one on one to explain how the program worked. Of course some were resistant to change. And there were many questions to answer and skepticism over whether it could be done.

These are some of the comments I heard: “I’ll never get it straight.” “It’s too difficult and too complicated.”

I explained that it would take some adjustment, but that it would get easier and clearer as time went on.

Today, those who doubted the program are now asking questions like: “How much garbage is being diverted?”

I guess I consider that a job well done.