United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5305)
EPA530-N-94-001
Winter 1994
WASTE EPA's WasteWiSe Program Works with
IAJ I. p Businesses to Reduce Solid Waste
*^^ ^^n December 29, 1993, EPA Administrator Carol Browner announceoTan ambitious program
^|p7 I I iavolving American businesses that could have a dramatic impact on reducing solid waste. EPA
*"" %t^ estimates that the WasteWi$e program has the potential to avoid the generation of millions of tons
of municipal solid waste (MS W) over several years. At the same time, WasteWi$e provides an opportunity
for companies to reduce waste disposal and purchasing costs, while enhancing operating efficiency and
community standing. .:'.-
EPA will begin by targeting the nation's largest businesses. The commercial sector throws out 40
percent of the country's MSW in its own dumpsters and greatly influences the other 60 percent that
gets tossed out by others. Managing this waste can be a costly proposition. With companies
increasingly recognizing that waste reduction makes good business sense, EPA sought to develop a voluntary, nonregu-
latory program to help businesses put their good ideas to work.
While the program is open to all businesses, it was launched with letters sent by Administrator Browner to the chief executive
officers of the Fortune 500 manufacturing firms and the top 500 service companies inviting them to join the WasteWi$e program.
Those companies that become members commit to making significant progress in three areas: waste prevention, recycling
collection, and buying or manufacturing recycled products (see box on page 2).
To accomplish this, each WasteWi$e member is encouraged to conduct a waste assessment, which will tell the company
how much and what types of waste it is generating. This assessment, which can involve a quick "walk-through" or a
detailed evaluation of company operations, also will help identify the specific
waste prevention and recycling measures that would be most effective in the
company.
Based on the results of their assessments, member companies will select
the waste prevention, recycling collection, and purchasing or manufac-
turing actions they intend to implement. Their plans will be sent to EPA.
Each year WasteWiSe companies will report to EPA on their achievements
to date, including estimated amounts of waste prevented and recyclables
collected, as well as increases in the purchase or manufacture of recycled
products.
For more information on the WasteWi$e program, call 1-800-EPAWISE
and ask for the brochure entitled WasteWi$e: EPAs Voluntary Program for
Reducing Business Solid Wiste. fi ,.. _, ... . .... .
0 (See page 2 for more on WasteWite.)
isle prevention means eliminating
M^^Jbej^iertis^crfated.JtJnvoIvfsihe
pfslgti, manufacture, purchase, or use
pptfefflals and products to reduce the
gmdpnf Wtoxicity of what is thrown
>ay; Waste prevention is also referred
as source reduction.
Ion is waste prevention
!us recycling. Waste that cannot be
' ivgnfed can be separated and coi-
"^Ttor Bicycling or composting.
IN THIS ISSUE
WasteWiSe Program Works with
Businesses to Reduce Solid Waste
President Clinton Issues
Procurement Priorities New
Assistant Administrator Confirmed
EPA and KAB Embark on a
joint Project to Encourage "Buying
Recycled"
"Environmentally Preferable"
Is the Order of the Day
President Clinton Issues Procurement Priorities
,n October 20, 1993, President
| Clinton signed Executive Order
12873, entitled Federal Acquisi-
tion, Recycling, and Wiste Prevention.
Honoring a promise made in his Earth
Day 1993 speech, the President's
Executive Order affirms the federal
government's role as "an enlightened,
environmentally conscious and
concerned consumer." It requires fed-
eral agencies to establish waste preven-
tion and recycling programs and to buy
(Continued on page 3)
Reusable News is printed with soy/canola ink on paper that contains at least 50 percent recycled fiber.
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Why Join WasteWise?
and foremost, WasteWi$e
members have an opportunity
to benefit from the cost savings
and greater efficiency that comes
with reducing waste. Direct savings
include reduced purchasing costs
and waste disposal bills. Indirect
benefits can include strengthened
community standing and increased employee morale. In
addition, member companies will receive:
Recognition In EPA documents, press releases,
magasnss, business journals, and trade publications.
Authorization to use the WisteWiSe logo in company
advertising and promotions.
The opportunity to be viewed by peers and customers
alike as a leader in environmental initiatives that make
good business sense.
EPA also will provide technical assistance to help
companies implement their waste reduction efforts. A
WasteWi$e hotline (1-800-EPAWISEJ is dedicated to
answering questions and providing information about
the program. EPA also has developed a number of
"how to" publications, including a guide to conduct-
ing waste assessments and implementing waste
reduction measures based on the results of the assess-
ment (see insert on New Reference Ibols}. Regular
WasteWi$e updates also will be provided hi future
issues of Reusable Nexvs. Stay tuned! ฃ
s part of the WasteWi$e program, member companies will commit to acllieving results in each of three
areas:
Preventing waste. The most ef-
fective way to reduce waste is to
generate less in the first place.
Waste prevention can entail
curbing both the waste that
goes into company dumpsters,
as well as material that be-
comes waste after being used
by customers. V\fosteWI$e companies agree to initiate
three significant waste prevention actions tailored to
their unique circumstances. These may include
using minimal or reusable packaging for products,
purchasing reusable supplies, leaving grass clip-
pings on. the lawn, and reducing paper use.
Collecting recyclables. Recy-
cling involves the separation,
collection, storage, and re-
moval of items such as bottles,
cans, and paper. It also can
include the composting of
materials, such as in a municipal composting pro-
gram. V\fasteWi$e members will establish, expand,
or improve programs for collecting recyclables.
Those companies that have existing programs can
consider adding new materials to recycling collec-
tions or improving program, efficiency through
activities like employee education.
Buying or manufacturing
recycled products. "Buying
recycled" means purchasing
paroducts that contain recov-
ered materials. WisteWi$e mem-
bers agree to increase the
amount they spend on recycled
products. Manufacturers have the additional option
to increase the amowt of recovered materials in
products they manufacture. Manufacturing and
buying recycled products are necessary to ensure
that collected materials are actually used in new
products. 17
New Assistant Administrator Confirmed
s n October 27,1993, Elliott E Laws was confirmed as the Assistant Administrator for EPAs
1 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Laws comes to the position kfter an
extensive career as an environmental litigator. He has served as a lawyer for EPA and the
Justice Department, as well as for private clients.
At his confirmation hearing, Laws testified that he is a firm believer in forging productive
ventures between EPA and the business community. Through WasteWi$e and other challenge
programs, Laws hopes to instill a renewed spirit of cooperation among the diverse groups that
play a role hi protecting the environment. 1
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Three new waste
I reduction publications
land an electronic
^reference manual
f on solid waste are
I now available from
t|PA. See other side for
ป, ordering instructions
ง5= ' - ' ' -.
I and a convenient order
coupon.
Waste Reduction
Publications
The following documents provide technical assis-
tance to businesses getting started on waste reduction:
Waste Prevention: It Makes Good Business
Sense! This promotional pamphlet introduces
businesses to waste prevention and its many ad-
vantages and describees the two publications
listed below. The pamphlet focuses on the pdten-
.. , c . .^fejfvf .
tial ot wasjgjprevention to improve a company s
competitive strength through savings in material
"
and supply costs, reduced waste disposal costs,
arid more efficient work practices.
Waste Prevention Pays Off: Companies Cut
Waste in the Workplace. This 24-page book-
let provides businesses with concrete examples
of successful waste prevention initiatives that
companies have undertaken. The booklet pre-
sents 17 case studies from businesses ranging
from multinational computer designers to local
ice cream companies. All of these companies sub-
stantially cut waste and saved money. These suc-
cess stories offer specific ideas to businesses that are
interested in waste prevention at their own facilities.
Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste.
This comprehensive guide describes how a com-
pany can assess the waste it generates, analyze
potential waste reduction measures, and imple-
ment promising initiatives. The guide discusses
the economic and environmental advantages of
waste Deduction. The guide alsb
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EPA also has recently published a comprehensive
electronic reference manual entitled the MSW
Factbook. An intuitive, easy-to-use computer pro-
gram, tibie MSW Factbook presents key data related
to MSW and its management found in federal
reports and other organizations' publications. The
MSW Factbook contains:
National and international data on waste
prevention, recycling, waste-to-energy
combustion, and land disposal.
Extensive data on state solid waste
management programs.
Dozens of color charts, graphs, maps, and
tables.
A comprehensive listing of contacts in the
field of MSW management.
Lists of related publications available from
EPA and the National Technical Information
Service.
The MSW Factbook simplifies solid waste re-
search by assembling hundreds of pages of infor-
mation into one easily accessible source.
program represents a valuable resource for
state, and IbcaLofficials; scientists and researcherjjs
industry personnel; consultants; and anyone else
seeking information on MSW management. The
MSW Factbook will be updated regularly, or as
circumstances require. It is available on 3V&- or
S^-inch diskettes and can be installed on an IBM-
compatible computer equipped with a mouse and
Microsoftฎ Windows. It can be installed on a
stand-alone personal computer or on a local net-
work. The program is public-domain shareware,
which may be freely copied. The diskettes con-
tain the necessary installation routines and run-
time software.
To order the MSW Factbook or any of the waste re-
duction publications at no charge, call the EPA
RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 800-424-9346 or
TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing impaired. For
Washington, DC, and outside the United States,
call 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323. Hotline
hours are Monday through Friday," 8:30 a.m. to
J7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Tims, Oiv use the
coapon order form below. Simply indicate which
reference tools you are interested" in receiving and
% I X/
>nd this coupBlrbaek-tQ^EPA.
D Waste Prevention: It Makes Good Business Sense! (EPA530-F-93-Q08)
D Waste Prevention Pays Off: Companies Cut Waste in the Workplace (EPA530-K-92-005)
n Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste (EPA530-K-92-004)
D MSW Factbook (3a/2-inch diskette: EPA530-C-93-001a) .
n MSW Factbook (5 V4-mch diskettes: EPA530-C-93-001b)
Name
Company
Address
C3ty
Telephone
State
Zip
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"Environmentally Preferable" Is the Order of the Day
(Continued from page J)
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
.''''', '.''.I '-'..' "' '.' .""" 'I,'-'...': . ' ' "'I
A Federal Environmental Executive will be appointed to ensure compliance
with all requirements of the Executive Order. t
Agency Environmental Executives will be designated to coordinate all
environmental activities in their respective federal agencies and tjvith the
Federal Environmental Executive. j-iX---^
Agencies are required to procure uncoated printing and writing paper with
postconsumer content. '
Agencies are required to remove barriers to procuring paper products made
by production processes that minimize emissions of harmful by-products.
Agencies must fully implement existing EPA procurement guidelines for
paper, re-refined lubricating oil, retreaded tires, building insulation, and
cement and concrete. *
m Agencies must set waste prevention and recycling goals to be met by 1995.
Agencies must set annual goals for purchasing increased quantities of
recycled and environmentally preferable products. '
The National Institute of Standards and Technology must establish a
program to test recycled products. |
An electronic acquisition system will be established to eliminate ,
unnecessary paperwork and to foster accurate data collection and reporting.
recycled and environmentally prefer-
able products and services. The Order
is also intended to create business and
employment opportunities by encour-
aging the development of new
technologies and uses for recovered ma-
terials.
The Executive Order assigns spe-
cific responsibilities to EPA. By April
18, 1994, the Agency is required to
publish three Federal Register notices
proposing guidance to federal agencies
for complying with the requirements
of the Executive Order. EPA must pro-
pose a Comprehensive Procurement
Guideline (CPG) covering the catego-
ries of products that are made with
recovered materials. EPA is also re-
quired to publish Recovered Material
Advisory Notices (RMANs) providing
recycled content information about the
products listed in the CPG. In addition,
EPA must propose guidance recom-
mending principles that Federal
agencies can use to buy environmen-
tally preferable products.
Printing and writing papers are sin-
gled out for special attention in the
Executive Order, in part because paper
and paper products continue to be a
major component of municipal solid
waste. Despite increased collection
efforts in many communities and of-
fices across America, printing and
writing papers are still made pre-
dominantly from virgin fiber in the
United States. Since most of the pa-
pers used by the federal government
are printing and writing grades, pro-
visions in the Order require agencies
to buy these products with postcon-
sumer content.
Postconsumer recovered materials
are materials recovered sifter serving
their intended use. The new postcon-
sumer requirement for printing and
writing papers attempts not only to
foster markets for paper collected in
recycling programs, but also to apply
the federal government's buying power
to stimulate increased production of
recycled-content printing and writing
grade papers.
Specifically, agencies must immedi-
ately start buying printing and writing
paper with postconsumer content.
High-volume paper such as that used
for photocopying, off set printing, com-
puter printouts, carbonless forms, file
folders, and white envelopes must con-
tain at least 20 percent postconsumer
content by the end of 1994. Other un-
coated printing and writing paper,
such as letterhead and matching enve-
lopes, must contain a minimum of 50
percent recovered materials, including
20 percent postconsumer material, by
the end of 1994. The postconsumer
requirement for both types of paper
increases to 30 percent by the end of
1998.
The Executive Order also directs
that federal specifications be re-
viewed and revised to eliminate
barriers to the purchase of paper and
paper products made by production
processes that minimize emissions or
harmful by-products. The Order spe-
cifically requires review of unnecessary
brightness requirements. (Brightness is
a measure of how white a sheet of
paper appears to be.)
For more information, contact Dana
Arnold of EPA at 202-260-8518. For
copies of Executive Order 12873 and
the existing EPA procurement guide-
lines, call the RCRA/Superfund
Hotline at 800-424-9346.1
leasable News is the quar-
f.ji terly newsletter of the EPA
* Office of Solid Waste's IWunici-
pil land industrial Solid Waste
vision. Reusable News re-
ports on the efforts of EPA and
Bothers to safely and effectively
. manage the nation's garbage and
^provides useful information
^|bout key issues and concerns in
jfirtUfiicipa! solid waste manage-
mฃZ.
ress comments or free
^subscription requests to:
john Leigh, Editor (5305)
s~- U-S^ Environmental
?*Protection Agency
#0,1 M Street, SW.
^Washington, DC 20460
Remember: If you are not buying recycled, you are not recycling!
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9 PA and Keep America Beautiful,
1 Inc. (KAB), a nonprofit grassroots
aorganization dedicated to improv-
ing waste management practices in lo-
cal communities, have embarked on a
joint project to raise awareness of the
need to buy goods made from recycled
materials, thereby stimulating markets
for reqyclables. EPAandKAB are starling
put with a few-year pilot project targeting
Individuals, local governments, institu-
tions, and businesses, all of which can
help dose the recycling loop by purchas-
ing recycled products.
Of KAB's extensive network of 500
local affiliate organizations, 15 were
selected for the pilot project after a
competitive application process. The
goal of the affiliates will be to educate
their communities about how "buying
recycled" helps enhance the liability
of recycling as a solid waste manage-
ment option. The way in which this goal
will be achieved will vary from commu-
nity to community. A variety of public
education and outreach projects will be
conducted to raise awareness and recog-
nize achievement
These projects will include "buy
recycled" trade fairs, brochures, hot-
lines, Information-sharing coalitions,
workshops, and public sendee adver-
tisements. The projects will, in part,
focus on local businesses because of
their central role in the nianufacturing-
distribution-purehasing chain for
recycled products. Local businesses
can influence manufacturers and con-
sumers. In addition, businesses
The KAB Buy Recycled Test Sites
San Diego, California
Tavernier, Florida
Maoon, Georgia
THton, Georgia
Mexandria/PSnevflle, Louisiana
Alliance, Nebraska
RosweD, New Mexico
Asheville, North Carolina
MLddtetown, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rook Mil, South Carolina
Bryan/College Station, Texas
Houston., Texas
Wise,
themselves are consumers who can
"buy recycled."
Workshops are already being devel-
oped that will be channeled through
KAB's network of affiliates. These
workshops will introduce local com-
panies to EPA's Business Guide for
Reducing Solid Waste and will spread
the word about EPAs WasteWi$e pro-
gram, as well as teach businesses how
to use KAB's Waste in the Workplace
guide. (See related article on the
WasteWi$e program on page 1). While
EPAs initial WasteWi$e thrust is di-
rected to the Fortune 1,000 companies,
the KAB affiliates will be encouraging
local companies to participate as well.
Workshop topics include how to con-
duct waste audits, how to change
procurement policies, and how to re-
duce waste through recycling and
waste prevention.
: As part of this project, KAB will lead
a multimedia public service advertis-
ing campaign in the 15 test
communities. After these communi-
ties have completed their projects,
KAB will evaluate their accomplish-
ments using criteria such as the
number of individuals reached, in-
crease in purchase of recycled
products, and increase in marketing of
products containing recycled materi-
als. Approaches, successes, and
lessons learned from the pilot projects
will be documented and used as mod-
els for other communities throughout
the country.
For more information, contact
Susan Mann of EPA at 202-260-6263
or Sharon Oxley of KAB at 203-323-
8987.1
The mention of publications, products, or organizations in this newsletter does not constitute endorsement or
approval for use by the US. Environmental Protection Agency.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste (5305)
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business, Penalty for Private Use $300
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