Calendar
Littering is Wrong Too to be at Fountain Square
July 23rd: Indie Concert, Fountain Square. KCB will be at Fountain Square on Friday, July 23rd from 6-8 PM, sharing information about the Littering is…
Littering is Wrong Too goes to Party in the Park!
July 21st: Party in the Park, Yeatman's Cove. KCB will be at Party in the Park, down on the riverfront, July 21st to help promote…
News
Littering Prevention campaign up and running
July 20th. New anti-littering campaign asks for 'jerky behavior'. To read more click here
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Recycling at the Office
Waste in the WorkplaceA small business guide for auditing commercial waste, identifying recyclables, minimizing waste and managing costs.
The Waste in the Workplace guide was first produced in 1991 to help businesses understand how and where waste is created during daily operations. Waste in the Workplace
provides how-to information about conducting a waste audit, developing
and implementing a waste-minimization plan, and how waste-reduction
activities can actually result in cost savings.
To order Waste in the Workplace for only $15, click here to Shop KCB.
Commercial Waste - An Overview
Commercial waste, or municipal solid waste, is produced by nearly every sector of every society. From residences to retail and to restaurants, each source can contribute to minimizing the vast amounts of refuse by developing programs and working as a community.
Conducting a Waste Audit:
Establishing where an operation's waste stems from is essential to successfully reducing waste output.
The Walk-through
o The building should be surveyed on a room-to-room basis, and it should be noted where there may be opportunity for reduction and/or recycling. Profile 1: Current Waste Operations assists the audit team effectively note the types of refuse compiled and where they end up.
The Trash Sorto Just like it sounds, the next step is to physically sort through the total waste generated by one day in the establishment. Profile 2: Identifying Waste provides a base for estimating what percentage of each material makes up the daily waste stream.
Materials Quantificationo Profile 3: Quantifying Elements of the Waste Stream offers two options to determine how much of each type of waste there is. Option A is a guide to analyzing purchasing records, and Option B is achieved by ascertaining the weight of each waste component.
Conversion factors: Volume to Weighto An extensive chart included in the handbook helps convert materials in different states of compaction from volume to weight in pounds and tons.
Implementing a Waste Minimization Plan
It takes the whole institution to effectively reduce waste. Systematic and consistent work paired with a focus on results will be rewarding both financially and to employees.
Source Reduction and Reuse
o There are innumerable ways to cut waste. Strategies include ideas from double-sided copying to reusing shipping materials.
o Exchange resources! Materials that are unusable for one company may be utilizable for another.
o Purchase materials with less packaging, and contact suppliers to cut costs on both ends.
Recyclingo Determine if it is economically feasible to invest in a private recycling program, or if it's easier to participate in similar programs nearby. Find the right program by figuring out the quantities of recyclable material generated.
o Composing through a private or municipal program is an extremely environmentally friendly option for companies and manufacturers that deal with food on a regular basis.
Addressing Litter
This ongoing problem can be easily put under control. Work with city and neighborhood officials to communicate anti-littering messages to the community, and further educate people on the difference they can make. Providing receptacles for garbage and recycling will reduce litter too, given that they are properly maintained by the company that implemented them. A beautiful neighborhood will be more highly valued by residents, and will reflect positively upon an establishment therein.
Materials Background
- Plastics are sorted into seven types of resin content, and are identifiable by a regulated code.
- Paper can be recycled for profit. Different recyclers accept different types of paper.
- Aluminum is the most valuable recyclable material. Cans must be collected separately.
- Steel is often found in bi-metal containers, such as tin cans.
- Glass can be recycled by color.
- Yard waste can be easily composted and don't need to enter landfills.
Marketing Recyclables
- Research options before choosing a company, and be sure to establish a good relationship with them by meeting specifications. Maintain the quality and quantity of the recyclables, and be flexible if the market changes.
- Stimulate the economy of recycled items by buying products made from recycled material!
Recycling Equipment
Different materials are recycled in different types of containers. It's important to make sure the right equipment is used for the right thing, and that it is compatible with the recycling company as well.
Buying Recycled
A policy to buy recycled products - and not just paper! - is pivotal in establishing a good program. Manufacturers, vendors, and users should cooperate both in terms of purchasing and regulations. Accurate records should be kept to insure market development and economic stimulus.
Green Purchasing
The following list provides examples of green purchasing actions you can implement on a limited basis. Consider it a list of the "Top Ten" things you can do to have immediate impact and results.
- Review purchase specifications and contracts to determine if they contain environmental performance standards or requirements.
- Ask your existing suppliers about environmentally friendly alternatives and give them a try.
- Consider how to make your product or service "green" and what you'll need to purchase differently to make it happen.
- Choose a suitable green products listing and use it when making purchases.
- Purchase and install energy efficient lighting for your buildings.
- Determine who supplies your energy and consider changing to alternative-powered energy sources.
- Request vendors to provide supplies in reusable packaging that can be used for your products or returned to the supplier.
- Purchase appropriately sized lots to minimize waste. Purchase bulk where feasible but in small quantities for shelf life/dated materials.
- Change your office purchasing policies: buy recycled office consumable products, Energy Star certified office equipment, and reusable utensils, plates and cups for meetings.
- Buy and use less toxic cleaners. Or hire those who do.
Information from the Pollution Prevention Information Center
Resources
Recycled Content Products Directory
Comprehensive guide to products that contain recycled content. Lists products ranging from general office supplies to flooring and benches. Notates the percentage of post-consumer recycled content in each product, as well as where to order.
Green Procurement from the Pollution Prevention Regional Information Center
General information on Green Purchasing, how to get started.
Staples EcoEasy
Over 3,000 recycled content products available for purchase on the website and at their stores.
Northeast Recycling Challenge