Using the 25th hour.

Lending one's time, efforts and money to the "greater good" is a notion that probably means different things to different people. Certainly, the term can be misconstrued by those who fear it means paying more to taxing agencies to fund activities they may not completely support. Another way to contribute to the greater good, though, can involve actively supporting causes and associations for which one's support comes more directly from the heart and mind.

Many of our readers must reason that they need a 25th hour in any given day to be able to support any outside activities beyond what is already on their plates. But there are benefits to participating in causes beyond one's own bottom line, and dangers when everyone withdraws without participating.

Like every other industry, recycling can either win or lose every day in statehouses and courtrooms across the country when precedents are being set concerning any number of factors that can affect the bottom line.

Recyclers and their advocates need knowledge, information and access to decision-makers that is often beyond the grasp of an individual business owner. That is why trade associations provide one critical outlet for recyclers. An alert and capable trade association can help state the case for recyclers when they need to make a persuasive argument on behalf of their industry. (And it is certainly why Recycling Today not only reports on the activities of ISRI and other trade groups, but is also a member.)

Community involvement and responsiveness is another way for companies to extend some effort in an arena beyond the every day buy-and-sell decisions. Sponsoring a Little League team, buying advertisements in high school football programs, offering facility tours to school children--these are all small ways to reduce the "fear factor" the community might have regarding a recycling facility with stockpiles of what, to them, looks like garbage.

Taylor Recycling Facility LLC in Montgomery, N.Y., is a recycler of C&D materials that has made a concerted effort to be known and familiar to its community. The company has turned dust and eyesore complaints from several years ago into a reason to overhaul its facility layout and to invite neighbors in to see what takes place.

Like every other small company with an overworked core of employees, it was not easy to spend time, money and attention on such things as berms to block views of stockpiles and fabricated buildings to house processing operations, but the company took a very long-term view.

Now, Taylor Recycling has not only helped itself by fostering good relations with community leaders and residents, but it can serve its industry as an example of how to plan a mixed C&D facility.

Without question, Jim Taylor, Tom Kacandes and others at the company had to dig into that non-existent 25th hour in the day to accomplish this. But what they have to show for it is not only an efficient and profitable facility, but also the satisfaction of having contributed something to the greater good.