United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA530-R-01-019
November 2001
ANNUAL REPORT
•A) Printed on paper that contains at least 50 percent postconsumer fiber.
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Introduction
Program Activities
Award Winners
WasteWise 7th Year
ANNUAL REPORT
.8
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Introduction
In 1994 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency founded a
groundbreaking program designed to help businesses and organi-
zations reduce the amount of solid waste they generate. Over the
past seven years the WasteWiseprogram has been providing techni-
cal assistance and recognition to more than 1,100 partners that
have joined the program. WasteWise is pleased to report that our
partners, both new and old, are continuing to demonstrate their
dedication to fostering a sustainable environment. We commend
our partners for their efforts and promise to continue doing every-
thing we can to support them. As part of this ongoing support,
WasteWise has been focusing on new concepts and issues such as
Resource Management and electronics reuse and recovery, and
our partners can now access a new Web site with a more user-
friendly design and expanded resources and services. Over the
next year, partners can expect to see more new initiatives such as
industry-specific tools and resources, expanded individualized
technical assistance, and increased information and ideas to
address the link between waste and global climate change. We
hope you find this overview of WasteWise program activities and
profiles of our Partners of the Year and Program Champions both
informative and motivational.
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Program
ACTIVITIES
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57 Corporation, a leading producer of polypropylene fabrics and fibers,
saved more than 6,199 tons of polypropylene in 2000 by reclaiming
scrap material to make new pellets. That year the company also
prevented nearly 7,296 tons of disposable corrugated tubes from
entering the landfill by switching to reusable aluminum tubes.
These two activities alone prevented an estimated 11,163 metric
tons of carbon equivalent from entering the atmosphere.
Resource Management
WasteWise strives to keep our partners informed of the latest waste reduction concepts and techniques that are
applicable to our diverse membership. Consequently, we introduced Resource Management (RM) tools and
success stories to partners through the Web site and Partner Network meetings during the past year. RM is a
strategic alternative to traditional hauling and disposal contracts. It provides financial incentives for waste
reduction innovations by compensating waste contractors based on performance in achieving an organiza-
tion's waste reduction goals rather than the volume of waste disposed. The new RM Web page, which is located
on the Member Services section of the WasteWise Web site, explains the difference between RM and traditional
waste disposal contracts and details standard characteristics of an RM contract. The resources section of the
page includes links to various journal articles on RM, in addition to a report produced exclusively for
WasteWise partners: From Waste to Resource Management: Reinventing Waste Contracts and Services.
WasteWise also set up the RM Online Feedback Form for partners to share their interest in and use of RM con-
tracting within their organization. WasteWise is using this information to gauge interest, highlight partner
efforts, develop RM tools for partners, and identify potential pilot RM projects with partners. RM was also the
main discussion topic at the Partner Network meetings, where EPA helped partners explore the possibility of
using RM within their organizations.
Coined by WasteWise partner General Motors Corporation (GM), Resource Management was developed
to take GM's environmental business performance to a higher level. GM recognized that existing hauling
and disposal contracts limited waste reduction efforts. Within the first 6 months of implementing RM con-
tracts at several of its North American plants, the new approach had cut waste at the plants by almost 22
percent (33,000 tons). At the same time, recycling volumes grew by 64 percent from 50,000 tons to more
than 82,000 tons. The plants also realized a 15 to 30 percent decrease in waste management costs.
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PARTNERS PARTICIPATING
IN ELECTRONICS
CHALLENGE
American & Efird, Inc.
Applied Specialties, Inc.
AT&T
Bass Pro Shops
Bend La Pine School District
Boise State University/ASBSU
r Capital Area Corporate Recycling
Council
City of Chicago, IL
City of Newport News, VA
City of San Diego, CA
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Commerce Bank of St. Louis
Constellation Energy Group
Eastman Kodak Company
Harper's Consultancy and
Superintendency, Inc.
Herman Miller, Inc.
Johns Hopkins University
King County, WA
Motorola, Inc.
NEC Electronics
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
RRRASOC, Ml
Signet Scientific Co.
U.S. Postal Service-Alabama District
U.S. Postal Service-Northeast Area
U.S. Postal Service-Sacramento District
University of Virginia
Venture I
Washington State University
Washoe County Government, NV
Waste-Not Recycling
Electronics Challenge
With the current pace of technological advancement, electronic equipment
becomes outdated quickly. Recognizing the importance of reusing, upgrading,
and remanufacturing electronics, WasteWise launched its second challenge
program. Thirty-three partners responded to the challenge and pledged to
reduce waste from their electronic products. To support partners in their
efforts, WasteWise published an issue of the WasteWise Update dedicated to
electronic product recovery and developed the Electronics Challenge resources
page on the WasteWise Web site to provide links to other useful Web sites, pub-
lications, articles, and trade associations.
Technical Assistance
WasteWise continued to improve and expand its wide range of technical assis-
tance services, which include electronic and published resources as well as
one-on-one assistance.
A New Look for the
WasteWise Web Site
One of the WasteWise program's most
visible changes was the creation of a
new Web site. Launched on August 15,
2001, it offers a more user-friendly
design and exciting new features,
including an Online Toolkit, a
Publications Directory, industry-
specific case studies, and a searchable
on-line database of WasteWise and external publications and other resources.
Publications
WasteWise continued to produce technical publications to assist partners in
developing, implementing, and measuring their waste reduction activities. The
WasteWise Update "Moving Towards Sustainability" defined and described the
evolution of environmental thinking from end-of-pipe pollution control solu-
tions to more sophisticated concepts such as industrial ecology and sustainabil-
ity. Bob Langert of McDonald's Corporation called it "one of the best treat-
ments of the subject I have seen." "Electronics Reuse and Recycling," which
WasteWise developed as an accompaniment to the Electronics Challenge, pro-
vided information on donating or recycling electronics, reducing electronics
waste by changing purchasing practices, and managing used electronics.
"Environmentally Preferable Purchasing," also a WasteWise Update issue,
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discussed the benefits of environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP),
described how to establish and maintain an EPP program, and provid-
ed EPP examples. WasteWise also published a new set of industry case
studies. Each case study includes several real-world examples of suc-
cessful waste reduction strategies and innovations implemented by
partners in 23 different industry sectors.
One-on-One Assistance
Through the Helpline and partner account representatives,
WasteWise provided customized technical assistance to partners and
responded to hundreds of waste reduction questions. We also made
on-site visits to 23 partners, which allowed them to share their
achievements and innovations with WasteWise representatives,
note areas where partners needed technical assistance or new
resources, and contribute ideas for how WasteWise can provide
better service. The insight gained from these visits is being used to
improve, among other things, WasteWise's data collection and review processes to better serve partners.
Reaching Out
The WasteWise program's progress in reducing solid waste continued to be featured in magazines and journals
such as Green@Work, Recycling Today, wdAn Environmental Affair. Several published and online jour-
nals also recognized award-winning partners for their individual achievements. The announcement of our
one-thousandth partner garnered significant attention from the environmental community. Several publica-
tions, including Biocycle World and Earth Vision Environmental News, reported on this milestone.
We also continued to promote waste reduction and recruit new partners at more than a dozen trade shows and
conferences, including the Environmental Expo 2000 in Boston, Massachusetts, the 92nd Annual Meeting &
Exhibition of the Air & Waste Management Association in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the National Recycling
Coalition's 19th Annual Congress & Exposition in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WasteWise will increase its promotional efforts during the next year as part of a recently developed media out-
reach strategy. One of the key components of this plan is increased promotion of the WasteWise awards winners.
Beginning with the 2001 awards ceremony, EPA will develop an individualized press release for each of the
award winners and distribute them directly to the local media outlets that the winners have identified. Other
key components of the strategy, which will be implemented late in 2001, include educating freelance environ-
mental writers about WasteWise, identifying key print and Internet media outlets and working closely with
them to spread the WasteWise message, encouraging broader use of the WasteWise logo by partners, and pro-
ducing new outreach publications.
Kinko's recently con-
tacted its WasteWise
representative for
advice on recycling
hundreds of surplus
videotapes. Whereas
one recycler Kinko's
had contacted wanted
to charge 50 cents per
tape, WasteWise pro-
vided the name of a
company that eventual-
ly took the tapes free
of charge. "WasteWise
technical assistance
has provided Kinko's
with access to infor-
mation that is often
hard to find or that
takes considerable
time to research," said
Kinko's waste manage-
ment and recycling
manager Joe Yahner.
"WasteWise often pro-
vides me with Web
links to organizations
or other contacts with-
in EPA that may be
helpful. Rather than
spending hours search-
ing the Web for my
question, I can make a
quick phone call to our
WasteWise rep and
usually get the answer
in a day or two."
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In 2000, as part of its company-wide
Environmental Management System,
Northeast Utilities established a corpo-
rate facility-based EMS team focused on
reducing paper and energy consumption
and promoting environmentally prefer-
able products. One initiative focused on
promoting the use of remanufactured
laser toners. This effort reduced toner
inventory by 80 percent, cut product
costs by 40 percent, and will contribute
approximately $27,000 to the $2.6 mil-
lion Northeast Utilities spends annually
on recycled content products.
College and University
Satellite Forum
On February 22, 2001, WasteWise co-sponsored a satellite forum, Solid Waste Gets
a Higher Education, along with the National Recycling Coalition's College and
University Recycling Council (CURC). The forum focused on campus waste reduc-
tion for colleges and universities. Panelists shared their experiences in waste pre-
vention, recycling, and purchasing recycled-content products in a campus envi-
ronment. The forum was broadcast live to more than 200 downlink sites and
online, and a VHS tape of the forum was produced and distributed to interested
parties free of charge. Denny Clark, director of facilities management at the
University of Virginia, summed up the WasteWise satellite forum, saying "Every
time we talk or get together, we learn from each other."
A satellite forum sponsored by the EPA Climate and Waste Program also highlight-
ed WasteWise as an example of how a voluntary program can mitigate greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions by helping organizations reduce their solid waste. On
December 7, 2000, the nationwide satellite forum—entitled Why "Waste" a Cool
Planet: MSW Solutions for Global Climate Change—helped educate businesses
and state and local governments about the relationship between solid waste man-
agement and climate change. One of the panelists was Scott Seydel of the Seydel
Companies, a 2001 WasteWise Partner of the Year. Copies of these forums are
available by contacting the WasteWise helpline at 800 372-9473.
On the Horizon
Membership
WasteWise will continue to offer new and improved services in the upcoming year. A
major new initiative, which will be introduced late in 2001, will be the WasteWise
Buildings Challenge. Primarily intended to encourage partners to reduce construc-
tion and demolition (C&D) debris, participants will receive technical assistance and
resources on many of the concepts within the broad arena of "green buildings."
WasteWise is developing educational materials and Web-based resources that will
help partners reduce C&D debris and increase the procurement of recycled building
products. As part of this program, there will be a WasteWise Buildings Challenge
Award presented at the WasteWise awards ceremony in 2002 and 2003.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
Partners
The WasteWise partnership continued to grow as more organizations
learned about the benefits of waste reduction. Membership grew by
almost 20 percent (196 partners) during the last 18 months (look inside
the back cover for a complete list of new partners). After starting with 281
charter partners in 1994, WasteWise had 1,148 partners as of July 1,2001.
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In 2000, the Blue Lake Rancheria, a tribe located in Blue Lake, California, implemented duplex
copying and printing and increased electronic communication to reduce paper consumption in
2000. By recycling more than 4,997 pounds of corrugated cardboard, paper, aluminum, and
steel, the tribe prevented approximately two metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The membership Includes all types of organizations, including large corporations; small businesses; federal, state,
local, and tribal governments; schools and universities; and hospitals and other nonprofit institutions.
Endorsers
A large part of the continued growth in the WasteWise program is attributable to the efforts of endorsers, which
are business groups, trade associations, and government agencies that promote WasteWise to other organiza-
tions. Currently, there are 112 WasteWise endorsers, and the number continues to grow. WasteWise supports
endorsers by providing industry-specific technical information, journal and newsletter articles about waste pre-
vention and recycling, and an endorser section on the WasteWise Web site. WasteWise is also increasing its
efforts to publicize endorsers' contributions in publications and press releases, as well as at national and
regional WasteWise events. WasteWise now also formally commends leading endorsers at the annual WasteWise
Awards and Recognition Ceremony.
Partner Network Meetings
WasteWise continued to facilitate opportunities for partners to exchange information through its popular
Partner Network meetings, where partners can interact with their colleagues, talk about their waste reduction
successes and challenges, and hear about effective waste reduction innovations and strategies. During 2000 and
the first half of 2001, WasteWise held meetings in Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; the District of
Columbia; Lake Success, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. Among the topics discussed at these meetings
were Resource Management, computer donation and reuse, waste tracking systems, green teams, restaurant
recycling, commingling recyclables, communicating results to employees and customers, and obtaining and
sustaining management support for waste reduction programs. WasteWise thanks the hosts of these Partner
Network Meetings: Baltimore Gas & Electric; Canon USA, Inc.; The Seydel Companies; PEPCO; Pitney
Bowes, Inc.; and U.S. EPA Region 1.
"It was great to meet and benchmark against
other local partners in the program. I gained
many ideas and tips as participants shared
their experiences."
-Evaluation form comment from a recent WasteWise
Partner Network Meeting attendee
By giving polystyrene
foam and peanuts to
end users for reuse,
WasteWise partner
Rockwell Collins con-
served more than 35
tons of polystyrene in
2000, preventing the
release of approximately
29 metric tons of carbon
equivalent. Through the
Rockwell Educational
Access to Computer
Technology program
(REACT), the company
also refurbished and
donated more than 2,300
computers to schools
and organizations.
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Award
WINNERS
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2001 Award Winners
In 2001, WasteWise named 18 Partners of the Year and 1 Endorser
of the Year in 12 award categories. Partners of the Year are those
partners that EPA judged to have accomplished and reported the
most impressive waste reduction results for 2000. In addition,
WasteWise recognized 39 Program Champions that made notewor-
thy accomplishments in waste prevention, recycling, and buying or
manufacturing recycled-contentproducts in 2000.
Very Large Business
Partners of the Year
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Eastman Kodak seeks innovative
ways to reduce waste, including remanufacturing its line of single-use
FUNSAVER cameras. Through this program, Kodak diverts mixed plas-
tics and metals from the waste stream by incorporating the parts into
new cameras. Under this program, the current return rate is 74 percent.
In 2000, Kodak reused 125 tons of off-spec polyethylene-coated photo-
graphic paper as product tray liners and reused 850 tons of old furni-
ture and electrical equipment. In addition, the company recycled more
than 65,000 tons of materials, including ferrous metals, PET, high-
grade paper, corrugated boxes, mixed plastics, polystyrene, wood, and mixed paper
Kodak also developed purchasing specifications to guide its efforts to incorporate
quality recycled materials into its products. Overall, Kodak spent $24 million on
recycled-content items.
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GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
GM, an automobile manufacturer headquartered In Detroit,
employs more than 350,000 people in more than 70 North
American facilities. Recognizing that the waste stream often con-
tains valuable resources, the company is implementing Resource
Management, a holistic approach to waste management contract-
ing that seeks to reduce waste disposal through a process of preven-
tion, reuse, and recycling. GM plans to fully implement RM in all
its North American facilities by the end of 2001. To name just a few
examples, GM reused building materials and eliminated some uses of corrugated pack-
aging and office paper. Through product engineering improvements, GM reduced the
amount of steel scrap and lifetime brake part waste associated with its line of full-size
sport utility vehicles. The company saved more than $100 million by recycling more
than 1.5 million tons of material, including corrugated boxes, mixed plastics, alu-
minum, steel, iron, and wood. GM also understands the importance of closing the loop
by purchasing items with recycled content. In 2000, GM incorporated more than 3,500
tons of recycled-content plastic, textile, and rubber components into its automobiles.
VERIZON
Verizon, a telecommunications giant headquartered in New York, takes
advantage of technology to reduce waste. The company saved more
than $4 million by encouraging its 260,000 employees to use the com-
pany intranet to obtain training and personnel information. The com-
pany also posted its phone directory and forms online and used elec-
tronic purchase orders and invoices. In addition, the company repaired, reused, or
sold more than $60 million worth of specialized telecommunications equipment sal-
vaged from maintenance and upgrade efforts. Verizon generated additional revenue
of more than $27 million by collecting recyclable materials, including corrugated
packaging, paper, plastics, metals, and wood. In addition, Verizon, the world's largest
publisher of directory information, prints its telephone books using a minimum of
40 percent postconsumer content paper. Furthermore, Verizon implemented a new
contract with its office products supplier that encourages the purchase of recycled-
content office items and provides a tracking mechanism for these purchases. During
2000, Verizon spent more than $1 million on recycled-content office supplies under
this contract. The company is currently developing a policy governing the return and
refurbishment of wireless telephones throughout its area.
venzon
vise program is an important part of
our company's e
-Maureen Burke, Verizon
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: * V:/:1,
-Candace Skarlatos, Bank of America
Very Large Business Program Champions
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. is a St. Louis-based corporation with
subsidiaries that include the world's largest brewing organization.Its
brewing subsidiary, Anheuser-Busch Inc. reuses two major by-prod-
ucts of the brewing process, diatomaceous earth and spent beechwood
chips-in cement and compost-respectively. In addition, the company
recycles its spent grains by selling it to dairy farmers for animal feed.
The Anheuser-Busch Entertainment parks, such as SeaWorld and
Busch Gardens also contribute to the company's waste reduction
efforts by composting millions of pounds of yard and stable waste
for reuse in landscaping projects. Additionally, Busch Agricultural
Resources Inc., the company's agricultural subsidiary, reused more
than 314,000 tons of organic material as a soil amendment.
Overall, Anheuser-Busch recycled more than 2 million tons of mate-
rial in 2000, including corrugated packaging, paper, plastics, alu-
minum, glass, construction materials, and wood. A founding mem-
ber of the Buy Recycled Business Alliance, the company is one of the
largest purchasers of recycled-content products in the United States.
Specifically, Anheuser-Busch purchased more than $2 billion worth
of recycled materials in 2000, including packaging materials, copy
paper, letterhead, business cards, and envelopes.
BANK OF AMERICA
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bank of America
employs 148,000 people. The company sponsors community out-
reach activities as part of its effort to establish corporate "environ-
mental networks" designed to encourage employees to interact with
surrounding communities. Activities included brown bag lunches
featuring topics such as composting and electric vehicles and educa-
tional programs for children, including a poster contest and tree
planting at local schools. Bank of America also reduced waste by
investing in new technology that allows it to distribute employee and
customer documents electronically. In addition, the company began
developing a comprehensive waste tracking system to better assess its
environmental performance. Furthermore, Bank of America collected
more than 30,000 tons of corrugated material, paper, mixed plastics,
metals, and glass for recycling. Finally, Bank of America does its part
to close the recycling loop by investing in carpet, furniture, office
supplies, copier paper, and stationery made from recycled products.
To ensure that all employees understand the importance of buying
recycled, Bank of America implemented the "Make it Second Nature"
campaign to educate staff about the company's waste reduction
goals and encourage them to purchase recycled products.
DISNEYLAND RESORT
Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland® Resort is a popular
tourist destination employing 20,000 Cast Members. The Disneyland®
Resort has implemented many environmentally friendly programs
that range from a measurement system which tracks its waste reduc-
tion and donation efforts to a toner cartridge return program.
Additionally, the Resort recycled more than 5,200 tons of material in
2000, including rubber, food, wood, leaves and brush, glass, metals,
plastics, corrugated packaging, and paper. The Resort also purchased
furniture made from 100 percent recycled HOPE plastic for its out-
door guest areas, including benches, picnic tables, and kraft tables.
KINKO'S, INC.
Kinko's, an office services provider headquartered in Ventura,
California, developed a company-wide intranet system to distribute
memoranda and training materials to all branch locations. In addi-
tion, the company implemented a paperless invoicing system for its
major vendors. Kinko's also leases 92 percent of its copiers and
printers and 82 percent of its computers and finishing equipment,
which lessens the environmental burden typically associated with
end-of-life electronics equipment. The company also returns used
toner cartridges to the manufacturer, where they are refilled and
resold to Kinko's at a reduced rate. With 85 percent of its branches
participating, Kinko's recycled more than 6,000 tons of paper in
2000. Furthermore, the company purchased more than 6,500 tons
of recycled-content paper and 2,000 tons of recycled packaging.
ii
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TARGET CORPORATION
Target Stores, a retail titan headquartered in
Minneapolis, operates an ambitious and innovative
waste reduction program. For example, Target
donates leftover food from its corporate cafeteria and
the restaurant in a nearby store to a local hog farm.
Other donation efforts include a program to give used
desktop computers to churches, hospitals, and com-
munity centers. Target also works to reduce plastic
hanger waste by conducting a closed-loop hanger
reuse program within its retail stores and recycling
damaged hangers. Even more impressively, Target
works with its suppliers to ensure that 99 percent of
all clothing and 95 percent of all shoes arrive at the
store with no excess packaging. Additionally, the com-
pany expanded its paperless operating environment
by sharing sales and inventory reports, in-stock data,
purchase orders, invoices, accounts payable informa-
tion, and newsletters electronically. The company col-
lected more than 2.5 million tons of material, chiefly
corrugated packaging, for recycling. Target also pur-
chased recycled-content products, including anti-
fatigue floor mats for cashiers made from recycled
tires, 30 percent postconsumer fiber paper for printing
brochures and training manuals, overhead store signs
made from recycled paper and corrugated material,
and shoe boxes made from 80 to 100 percent
recycled-content paper.
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
The Walt Disney Company manages a theme park,
studios, and other attractions near Anaheim,
California, and employs 37,500 people. Disney
decreased paper usage and saved $25,000 in 2000 by
ordering office supplies electronically instead of by
fax. Disney also saved more than $150,000 by estab-
lishing a company-wide return program for toner
cartridges. In addition, the company commissary
implemented a policy of using salad bar plates for
dine-in meals and using disposable packaging only
for take-out orders. Walt Disney Studios also main-
tains a database that lists all reusable sets and props
to facilitate sharing these materials, while the light-
ing department donates used lighting gels to the Los
Angeles Children's Museum for art projects such as
kaleidoscopes and imitation stained glass. The com-
pany collected more than 4,000 tons of recyclable
materials, including plastics, wood, mixed paper, and
corrugated packaging. Disney's buying recycled activ-
ities included testing rechargeable batteries and recy-
cled glass coffee mugs, increasing the percentage of
recycled material in printer and copier paper, and
working with its office products supplier to track the
purchase of recycled-content items.
WALT DISNEY WORLD COMPANY
The Walt Disney World Company, located in Orlando,
Florida, is a good neighbor, reaching out to the sur-
rounding community by donating surplus materials
for reuse. The company donated more than 10 tons of
office supplies to local schools and delivered 200 tons
of prepared food to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Disney also reduced its use of plastic bubble wrap by
switching to recyclable paper packaging. In addition,
the company recycled more than 5,000 tons of mate-
rials, including metals, plastics, polystyrene packag-
ing materials, and paper. Furthermore, the company
developed a system to track its recycled-content pur-
chasing and continued educating employees about
the importance of buying recycled.
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0 :
Large Business Partners of the Year
CONSTELLATION ENERGY GROUP
1 Constellation
Constellation Energy Group, located in Baltimore, sought out innovative VyV ErtGfOV GfOUp
and cost-effective new programs to prevent waste, increase recycling
rates, and increase spending on recycled-content products in 2000. The utility donated 26.9 tons of computers
and electronic equipment for reuse through its computer donation program. Hard copies of numerous docu-
ments, including the employee handbook and an environmental standards publication, were eliminated and
made available electronically on the corporate intranet. In 2000, % wood utility poles were refurbished, inspect-
ed, and returned to stock for reuse, saving the company $28,800. The company also promoted waste prevention
both to its employees and to other businesses through its Businesses for the Bay mentoring program, participa-
tion in various events, and featured articles in the company's Business Express newsletter and internal magazine
Quest. Constellation Energy Group, which employs 6,500 people, also recycled an impressive 412 tons of yard
trimmings, 149 tons of non-ferrous metals, 47 tons of mixed paper, 42 tons of mixed plastics, and nearly 17 tons
of corrugated boxes. In addition, the company recycled the oil from its vehicle oil filters and 100 percent of the
aerosol cans it collected. The utility also spent a total of $721,369 on recycled-content products, including 1,043
retread tires, plastic piping, carpeting, remanufactured furniture, paper wipes, and bill envelopes.
PITNEY BOWES, INC. ^JILk Pitnev Bowes
siirs •*
Pitney Bowes, Inc., headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, imple-
mented numerous innovative waste prevention, recycling, and buy-recycled measures in 2000. Two of the
company's divisions conserved 344 tons of wooden pallets through its wood pallet reuse program. Incoming
packaging was reused for outgoing shipments, conserving an additional 26 tons of wooden pallets. Pitney
Bowes also educated its 7,800 employees on the benefits of waste reduction through posters, e-mail, and
other communications. Six of the company's facilities implemented a program to recycle Styrofoam prod-
ucts used in food service. The Styrofoam is converted into a gel-like material that is then returned to the
recycling-equipment vendor for further processing back into Styrofoam or other plastic products. This
process resulted in a 40 percent reduction of total trash volume at those facilities. The company reground
35.5 tons of postconsumer HDPE plastic and mixed preconsumer plastic resins for reuse in plastic products.
The company also recycled more than 1,139 tons of corrugated, 827 tons of high-grade paper, 327 tons of
HDPE, and 139 tons of mixed paper. Plastics recycling alone generated a cost savings of nearly $115,000. In
addition, the company purchased 1,477 tons of 30 to 100 percent postconsumer recycled-content paper and
corrugated, and 90 tons of janitorial and cafeteria supplies with 40 to 100 percent recycled content.
Employees are strongly encouraged to purchase products with the highest possible recycled content. Pitney
Bowes also encouraged its vendors to prominently identify products containing recycled content in catalogs
so that these products could be easily identified and procured. Vendors were also asked to provide the maxi-
mum number of recycled-content products.
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PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISE GROUP
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), a combined electric, gas, and energy
services holdings company located in New Jersey, provides electricity and gas to
more than 3.5 million New Jersey customers. PSEG continued its commitment to
waste reduction, recycling, and buying and manufacturing recycled products in
2000 through numerous innovative programs and initiatives. The energy compa-
ny supported local charitable organizations, schools, and community groups by
donating nearly 13 tons of refurbished computers. The donation program included 200 computer systems sent
to Pedals for Progress, a nonprofit corporation focusing on needs in developing Latin American countries. The
company also reused 81.2 tons of furniture, saving $57,530, and refurbished 1,054 pounds of street lighting.
PSEG also saved $15,444 by purchasing retread tires in 2000. Through its Buy Recycled Policy, the company
purchased more than $2.7 million worth of recycled-content products—up 25 percent from 1999-
PSEG
Large Business Program Champions
ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), has undertaken many efforts to
reduce waste at all of its locations worldwide. Waste reduction and
recycling is rooted in the AMD culture, as evidenced by AMD's prac-
tices of donating surplus computer equipment, furniture, and sup-
plies to non-profit organizations; recycling numerous materials
including cardboard, plastics, wooden crates and pallets, beverage
containers, scrap metal, and dry cell batteries; and sending landscape
waste for composting. In 2000, waste reduction programs at AMD's
U.S. sites in California and Texas resulted in reducing solid waste dis-
posal by 1,917 tons. The company instituted a program to reuse cloth
wipes and in 2000, nearly 6 tons of cloth wipes were laundered and
reused at the Austin, Texas site. AMD recycled more than 1,200
pounds of consumer type dry-cell batteries and spent over $111,000
on recycled-content office products. AMD promotes employee aware-
ness of reduction and recycling programs by distributing an employ-
ee recycling handbook, posting recycling program announcements
on bulletin boards, and distributing information to employees during
events such as the AMD Health Fair and AMD Benefits Fair.
ALLERGAN, INC.
Allergan, Inc., a pharmaceutical company located in Irvine,
California, made packaging changes that resulted in a reduction
of nearly 68 tons of boxboard, saving $20,000. The company also
reduced package weights for intraocular lenses and tablet blisters.
Light weighting of this packaging reduced boxboard by nearly 188
tons and PVC plastic by more than 66 tons and saved Allergan
$2.3 million. The company also recycled an impressive 1,000 tons
of corrugated boxes, 815 tons of HOPE plastic, and 350 tons of
copier paper. Recycling rates were up 18 percent compared with
1999 levels, with estimated cost savings at $339,462 for 2000.
BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
The 5,500 employees at Battelle Memorial Institute, which is
based in Columbus, Ohio, worked to reduce paper usage by duplex
copying. This action resulted in a reduction of 6 tons of copier
paper. Battelle also conducted a number of Pollution Prevention
Opportunity Assessments to identify ways to eliminate, reduce,
reuse, and recycle solid waste. The company also purchased
duplex printers, copiers, and fax machines in 2000. Battelle also
spent $650,000 on recycled-content products in 2000.
CROWN CORK & SEAL COMPANY, INC.
Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., a worldwide consumer packaging
company headquartered in Philadelphia, implemented a compre-
hensive waste prevention plan to reduce packaging waste in its 87
North American plants. A packaging return program instituted with
suppliers conserved tons of corrugated boxes. The company improved
upon its packaging reuse program in 2000 by making the switch to
plastic pallets and separator sheets, eliminating the use of paper and
wood products. Thousands of pounds of mixed paper were conserved
when Crown Cork & Seal posted its environmental health and safety
manuals on the company Intranet, eliminating the need for thou-
sands of paper copy updates and related distribution costs. The com-
pany also increased the amount of postconsumer recycled PET plastic
used in the manufacture of plastic bottles from 2 percent to 5 percent.
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FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
Florida Power & Light prevented the disposal of approximately
11,700 utility poles through donation and sale. Pole line hardware
and other parts were reclaimed, refurbished, and returned for reuse,
saving the utility approximately $1.5 million, based on estimated
market value. Florida Power & Light also saved $21,000 by reusing
wood reels. The wire and cable on the wood reels is recycled, and
then the reels are salvaged for reuse. Wood reels that are not suitable
for reuse are ground up and recycled for mulch. Recycled-content
office supplies and promotional items were also purchased in 2000.
In addition, the utility promotes WasteWise and educates its 10,000
employees on the benefits of waste reduction and recycling through
presentations, special events, publications, and the Internet.
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
Herman Miller, Inc., a furniture manufacturer in Michigan, once
again held its growth in total waste in check while recording a year
of expanded sales and production. Since 1994, the company's waste
reduction activities have resulted in a yearly reduction of approxi-
mately 20,000 tons of solid waste and an estimated savings of $120
million. The company's efforts have also resulted in the recycling of
an impressive 9,313 tons of steel, 1,729 tons of corrugated paper,
320 tons of mixed plastics, and 164 tons of mixed paper. In addi-
tion, the furniture manufacturer has begun to provide sawdust to
local farms to produce high-quality compost. Herman Miller has
spent $200 million on recycled-content products, including 100 per-
cent recycled aluminum and 22 percent recycled-content steel.
Manufacturing recycled-content products is also a priority for the
company. As one example of its many products that are designed for
the environment, Herman Miller's chairs are manufactured to con-
tain between 40 to 77 percent recycled content.
MILLIPORE CORPORATION
Millipore Corporation, a Massachusetts-based company, donated 5
tons of 9x12 white booklet envelopes to local and regional schools.
The company also sold 69 tons of office furniture and industrial
equipment for reuse, saving $5,934. Millipore also implemented a
wooden pallet reuse program in 2000. They achieved an increase in
its recycling rate from 32 percent in 1999, to nearly 44 percent in
2000. The company also recycled 142.4 tons of wood, 13.3 tons of
magazines, 3.7 tons of computer paper, and 1 ton of PET plastic.
Cost savings resulting from the company's recycling program were
significant—$12,000 for recycled wood alone. Closing the recycling
loop was also a priority for the company with recycled-content pur-
chases of $161,747 in 2000.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON
Southern California Edison, a California utility company, saved 125
tons of high-grade paper by putting employee directories and maps on
the company's intranet, saving $50,000. The utility also worked with
vendors to have goods delivered on reusable pallets instead of cardboard
boxes, saving 5 tons of corrugated boxes. Incoming boxes were used for
outgoing shipments, saving 6 additional tons of corrugated. The com-
pany's reusable mug program also conserved 75 tons of paper cups. In
addition, they recycled 8,801 tons of wood, more than 244 other non-
ferrous metals, and more than 169 tons of other ferrous metals. The
company spent $200,000 on recycled-content products in 2000 as well.
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CARRIER
CORPORATION—INDIANAPOLIS
In 2000, United Technologies Carrier in Indianapolis, Indiana, con-
tinued its ambitious waste prevention and recycling programs. The
HVAC manufacturer has significantly reduced cardboard and wood
pallet usage by converting the shipping containers of more than
half of its inbound bulk materials to returnable containers. A recent
vendor agreement resulted in the reduction of more than 33 tons of
pallet waste per year. In addition, United Technologies Carrier
diverted previously landfilled concrete waste from the waste stream
by hauling it to local facilities where it was ground for reuse. This
change eliminated 512 tons of landfilling per year, and the fees are
also less than typical landfill tipping fees.
VIRCO MFG. CORPORATION
Virco Mfg. Corporation, located in Conway Arkansas, made great
strides in waste reduction, recycling, and the purchase of recycled
products in 2000. The furniture manufacturer reduced more than 6
tons of mixed office paper when the entire company converted to e-
mail. Virco also continued its program to eliminate unnecessary
packaging by transporting school furniture on reusable pallets
instead of in corrugated containers. Approximately 10,000 pallets
were repaired for reuse, while boards that could not be salvaged
were ground up for use as mulch. In 2000, the company made a
$350,000 profit for various recycled scrap plastics and purchased an
impressive $30 million of recycled-content products.
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GUARDIAN
A Company of Vision
Midsize Business Partner of the Year
GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES—LIGONIER PLANT
Guardian Industries in Ligonier, Indiana, an automotive glass manufac-
turer, has a diverse waste reduction program that finds ways to divert mate-
rials traditionally disposed of in the manufacturing process. In 2000,
Guardian saved $26,100 and 2,868 pounds of cloth by laundering gloves
instead of disposing of them and by implementing a glove return program.
The facility also laundered wiping cloths after substituting them for paper
towels, eliminating 1,600 pounds of paper towel waste and 9,350 pounds of
cloth waste from the waste stream. Guardian converts what would normal-
ly be waste material into a raw material by recycling all glass that is not used as an end product. The glass is
returned to the raw glass plants for reuse or purchased by cullet vendors to be made into glass beads for bead
blasting, fiberglass, or reflective paint for highways. In addition, Guardian manufactures millions of wind-
shields each year and uses a new razor blade for each piece of glass. By recycling 7.5 tons of these discarded
razor blades along with 92 tons of scrap steel, the plant diverted a total of 99-5 tons of steel from the waste
stream in 2000 and saved $2,192. Guardian halted the incineration of scrap wood by having the wood chipped
and reused as animal bedding or landscaping material, giving a second life to more than 146 tons of wood. In
2000, it recycled 43 tons of corrugated cardboard and 34 tons of mixed paper, saving $4,330. In addition to
spending $3,096 on recycled-content materials in 2000, Guardian purchased 7,740 pounds of recycled-content
55-gallon drums, saving $6,787.
Midsize Business Program Champions
AMTRAK BERT FISH MEDICAL CENTER
The 700 employees at Amtrak's Los Angeles Union
Station and mechanical facilities constantly learn
about and implement new ways to reduce waste. In
2000, the employees of Los Angeles implemented
ideas for reducing waste such as switching to reusable
cups, refillable pens, and duplex copying.
Additionally, revenue generated from recycling was
used to buy employees T-shirts, hats, and duffel bags
made from recycled materials. The company saved
$3,000 by beginning a toner refill program and elimi-
nated 500 pounds of waste. Through a materials
exchange, Amtrak promoted the internal reuse of
items such as office supplies, cleaning supplies, and
packing peanuts. Through increased recycling and
diversion, it eliminated two trash compactors, saving
$33,700. Finally, the company spent more than
$7,000 on recycled-content products in 2000.
Bert Fish Medical Center in New Smyrna Beach,
Florida, tries to cultivate a climate that lets employees
and patients know it cares about the environment. In
2000, the medical center hosted a biannual giveaway
in which employees brought excess supplies—nor-
mally discarded—to a central location for exchange.
During a recent demolition of an old portion of the
hospital, the center held a community yard sale that
generated $3,000 by selling furniture and memorabil-
ia. The medical center also diverted approximately
300 pounds of packaging from a landfill in 2000 by
having a large receptacle for staff to deposit packag-
ing peanuts or bubble wrap for reuse.
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POLYONE—ENGINEERED FILMS GROUP
PolyOne Engineered Films Group is part of PolyOne Corporation, a
world-wide polymer services company with locations in Lebanon,
Pennsylvania; Winchester, Virginia; and Yerington, Nevada, The
Group strives to reduce the amount of solid waste it landfills by 10
percent every year. Its Winchester plant alone diverted more than
925 tons of materials from the waste stream in 2000. After achieving
ISO 14001 certification in 2000, PolyOne's Winchester plant trained
employees at all levels on new environmental management proce-
dures, tracked and reported monthly waste reduction figures to all
employees, and created production floor teams to resolve any excess
waste problems. As one example of its solid waste reduction pro-
gram, the Winchester plant reuses large plastic bags, used to cover
unfinished products during final stages of production, until they are
dirty or torn. When no longer usable, the bags are collected and
recycled into plastic lumber.
SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION
Siemens Automotive Corporation's Newport News, Virginia, facility
saved $27,750 in 2000 by reusing pallets internally instead of pur-
chasing new pallets and recycling the pallets that could not be
reused. With a goal of recovering 750 pallets, the organization actu-
ally recovered 2,484 pallets for a tremendous cost savings.
Additionally, the company conducted an employee awareness pro-
gram on the reuse of lab coats in its clean rooms, decreasing the
disposal of lab coats by 33 percent and saving $20,952.
Small Business Partners of the Year
THE SEYDEL COMPANIES
The Seydel Companies, a chemicals manufacturer with 109 employees located in Pendergrass, Georgia,
integrates environmental performance into its fundamental goals. Seydel continuously evaluates the poten-
tial to reuse viable obsolete materials instead of disposing of them in a landfill, saving $481,000 and 658
tons of materials in 2000 by doing so. In 2000, Seydel also adapted its training program materials to the
Internet, saving an estimated 700 pounds of paper, in addition to fuel for off-site travel. Additionally, the
company increased electronic communication in day-to-day operations for items such as shipping logs,
phone lists, reports, and meeting announcements. To reduce production waste, Seydel donated 1,000 pounds of
excess cloth to a local senior center for quilt making and saved 6,892 pounds of glass and $4,329 by cleaning
and reusing glass sample jars. Ongoing activities also included returning drums and totes to the vendor in a
closed-loop recycling system and purchasing more than $350,000 of recycled-content products.
EVELYN HILL, INC.—STATUE OF LIBERTY
NATIONAL MONUMENT
Evelyn Hill, Inc. operates the gift shop and food service at one of the most widely recognized American monu-
ments, the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In 2000, the family-owned concessioner of 150 employees
committed to improving solid waste management on Liberty Island, establishing a recycling center on the island
and prioritizing waste prevention, recycling, and recycled-content procurement. Evelyn Hill worked extensively
with vendors to redesign packaging and lightweight containers and emphasized switching to reusable or recycla-
ble containers. Specifically, the company negotiated with Haagen Dazs to eliminate the cardboard overwrap and
individual cardboard boxes in ice cream packaging, eliminating more than 3 tons of cardboard from the waste
stream. The company also worked with Tyson to create a special bulk pack for its chicken patties. Diverting
nearly 2 tons of solid waste, the company replaced cans of cheese sauce with pouch bags, switched from cans to
paper containers for hot chocolate, and replaced hand soap from plastic jugs to concentrate in smaller contain-
ers. French fries were served in washable plastic baskets, conserving nearly 2 tons of paper plates, and a travel
mug and souvenir take-home cup reduced paper cup disposal by nearly 2 tons. In the first year of its program,
Evelyn Hill purchased more than 220,000 hamburger and sandwich boxes made from 40 percent postconsumer
content, and replaced many of its paper products with recycled-content products. In total, the company saved
$112,000 in 2000. Finally, Evelyn Hill educated visitors and employees about the importance of resource conser-
vation, printing an educational message on its 100 percent recycled-content napkins. 17
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Small Business Program Champion
PARI INNOVATIVE MANUFACTURERS, INC.
PARI Innovative Manufacturers, Inc. continues to explore options to
reuse transport containers to ship materials and products. The com-
pany uses reusable corrugated containers to ship materials between
vendors and its manufacturing facility in Midlothian, Virginia, and
also between Midlothian and an assembly facility in Mexico. When
the boxes can no longer be used, they are broken down and
returned to the vendor for reuse. PARI also uses reusable wooden
pallets for shipping. To reduce paper consumption, the company
emphasized electronic communication by distributing company
newsletters electronically, consolidating reports, and using electronic
documents. The company emphasizes "pre-cycling"—evaluating a
product's packaging before purchasing—and encourages employ-
ees to bring newspapers and cans from home for recycling. In addi-
tion, it returns cartridges for photocopy and fax machines to the
manufacturer to be refurbished or recycled.
Federal Government Partners of the Year
SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES
Sandia
National
Laboratories
The New Mexico and California facilities of Sandia National
Laboratories prevented 209 tons of solid waste by switching to
reusable cafeteria dishware, saving the federal facility approxi-
mately $22,000 in 2000. Sandia's sustainable design principles
made waste prevention a priority when designing new buildings.
More than 200 items, including sinks and hardware, were reused and more than 656 tons of construction
debris was recycled. Sandia, which employs 9,000 people, also made improvements in its recycling collection
system and worked to reduce contamination. These activities contributed to the recycling of an impressive
17,9893 tons of building materials, 169.7 tons of computer paper, 85.2 tons of corrugated boxes, 35.3 tons of
mixed paper, 31.5 tons of newspaper, 2.9 tons of plastic bottles, and more than 50 tons of yard trimmings,
which were sent to a compost facility.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE—ALABAMA DISTRICT
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
The 7,614 employees of the U.S. Postal Service - Alabama
District worked to meet ambitious waste prevention, recycling,
and buy-recycled goals in 2000. The Alabama District imple-
mented several innovative programs to improve its electronic communications and tracking methods. These
actions conserved 55 tons of high-grade paper through electronic routing of documents, 4,000 pounds of paper
by switching to electronic time clocks, 3,400 pounds of high-grade paper through a new online reporting sys-
tem and electronic document scanning, and 3,320 pounds of mixed paper by eliminating the use of several
forms in the human resources department. The Alabama District sold wood pallets, mixed plastic items, and
obsolete items for reuse, earning more than $22,198 in 2000. In addition, 500 tons of corrugated boxes were
conserved when the Alabama District switched to a reusable alternative. Recycling efforts for the federal agency
yielded revenues of more than $25,000.
18
~~
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Federal Government Program Champions
U.S. EPA REGION 9
U.S. EPA Region 9, headquartered in San Francisco, California,
found ways to prevent waste and promote the WasteWise program at
every opportunity. The WasteWise message was spread through voice
mails, electronic newsletters, a WasteWise category on the
"Communicator" electronic bulletin board, and "Floor
Representatives" provided information on waste reduction to
employees. Three "Brown Bag" events, a "WasteWise Extravaganza
Recycled Fashion Show" featuring fashions made from recycled
products, and a "WasteWise Kick-Off Party" were also held to pro-
vide information and solicit ideas for waste reduction. More than
170 pounds of various supplies were collected for reuse at a "Swap-
0-Rama" event in 2000. The federal facility also purchased 20 addi-
tional duplex laser printers and held "Duplex Days," coordinated by
the floor representatives to teach employees to route documents to
duplex printers. Nearly 130 of the region's 900 employees signed a
pledge to duplex copy and print. U.S. EPA Region 9 also purchased
an impressive $140,000 of recycled-content products in 2000.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), located in Washington,
DC, saved $20,000 in 2000 by initiating a program to repair approxi-
mately 4,000 wooden pallets equivalent to 80 tons. Pallets that cannot
be repaired are chipped and sold by a contractor for use as mulch. The
GPO also made $ 10,026 in profit from the sale of more than 11 tons of
computers and electronic equipment for reuse. A new program to recy-
cle all toner cartridges also saved the GPO more than $27,180 in 2000.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE—SOUTH FLORIDA
DISTRICT
The U.S. Postal Service - South Florida District's 11,000 employees
sought ways to expand its waste prevention, recycling, and buying-
recycled programs. An employee education program was established
for bulk mail reduction, contributing to the recycling of 937 tons of
mixed paper. The South Florida District also recycled 5.8 tons of
wooden pallets in 2000. The district recycled 5,787 tons of maga-
zines and undeliverable bulk mail, and more than 583 tons of cor-
rugated boxes. The district also increased its spending on recycled-
content products with a total of $35,830 spent in 2000.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE—NORTHEAST AREA
In 2000, the U.S. Postal Service - Northeast Area set out to ensure that
all of its 3,200 post offices, vehicle maintenance facilities, and process-
ing and distribution facilities implement waste reduction activities
through pollution prevention plans. Although the ambitious goal to
implement plans at every location was not achieved, the Northeast Area
was successful in having more than 64 percent of all its post offices,
100 percent of vehicle maintenance facilities, and 100 percent of pro-
cessing and distribution facilities implement pollution prevention plans
in 2000. The Northeast Area also recycled 38,454 tons of undeliverable
bulk business mail and 4,750 tons of corrugated boxes. Through a con-
tract with the Northeast Area's vendor, post offices were required to pur-
chase recycled-content office products. As a result, the Northeast Area
spent nearly $6.6 million on recycled-content products.
State Government Partner of the Year
STATE OF OHIO
From eliminating a multi-part form to reclaiming old asphalt, Ohio state
employees implemented several waste reduction initiatives in 2000. The effort
boosted state agency recycling tonnage by almost 5 percent—to 2,270 tons—
and several waste prevention projects achieved demonstrable savings in staff
time and taxpayer money in the bargain. The Ohio Bureau of Workers
Compensation implemented a paperless medical claims imaging system, saving:
22 tons pounds of office paper and file folders and 2,500 pounds in toner cartridges. By receiving long-distance
records on CD-ROM, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services is conserving 1,440 pounds of paper a
year. The Office of Management and Budget eliminated the use of one form, saving 573 pounds of paper annu-
ally. The Ohio Department of Transportation's District 2 reused 50 tons of old asphalt in new road construction
in 2000. The recycled-content asphalt cost just $2.25 a ton, far less than the $28 a ton paid for "virgin"
asphalt. The Taxation Department started saving and distributing interoffice mail envelopes for reuse, saving
573 pounds of paper a year. Recycled-content purchases reported by all Ohio state agencies increased 3 percent
in 2000, totaling more than $2.1 million.
i in expenses, nearly
"Membership in
WasteWise helps the
state of Ohio monitor
and effectively meas-
ure the success of our
waste reduction strate-
gies in both the public
and private sectors. As
a result, WasteWise has
significantly strength-
ened our ability to put
a recycling ethic to
work for the benefit of
all Ohioans."
-Sam Speck, Ohio Department
of Natural Resources
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State Government Program Champion
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
In its second year as a WasteWise partner, The Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, located in Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, visited more than 150 businesses in Pennsylvania
through its "buy- recycled" outreach initiative. In each face-to-face
visit, Pennsylvania DEP representatives provide the companies with
a buy-recycled guide, including information about the WasteWise
program. The Waste Management Program of the state agency
composted 36 pounds of food in an on-site vermi-composting bin.
The state agency also notifies its 1,200 employees of waste preven-
tion and recycling programs through e-mail to conserve paper and
promote employee participation.
Tribal Government Partner of the Year
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE
UMATILLA INDIAN RESERVATION
TRIBAL TRANSFER STATION
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation located in
Pendleton, Oregon, is the only Northwest Tribe with a full-blown transfer station that offers recycling and solid
waste reduction to the public. The tribal government reduced its consumption of high-grade paper and mixed
paper through various paper reduction activities. The reservation recycled 40 tons of steel, 25 tons of ferrous
metals, more than 3 tons of high-grade paper, and more than 2 tons of mixed paper in 2000. The tribal gov-
ernment, which employees 470 people, also spent $750 on recycled-content products.
Local Government Partner of the Year
WASHOE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, NEVADA
The Washoe County Government in Nevada achieved numerous waste preven-
tion, recycling, and buy-recycled goals in 2000. The Washoe County Sheriff's
Office reused damaged doors and windows from construction companies in
order to practice forced entry. After reuse, most of the door and window materi-
als were recycled. The sheriff's office reused 10.75 tons of wood, metal, and
glass doors and windows in 2000. The Washoe County Purchasing Department
also donated nearly 2 tons of computers and computer equipment to other gov-
ernment entities, schools, and nonprofit groups. A county program to stop landfilling books and magazines
diverted 75 tons of paper from the landfill. The Washoe County Library, through the Friends of the Washoe
County Library, sold unwanted books and magazines, which were previously landfilled, to the public. Books
and magazines that were not sold were donated to various local organizations. Washoe County Government
also promoted WasteWise both internally and in the community through articles, awards, speakers, and presen-
tations. The county government's 2,800 employees also recycled 56.8 tons of mixed paper, more than 24 tons of
glass bottles, more than 23 tons of aluminum, and 2,080 pounds of corrugated boxes. In 2000, the county also
spent approximately $1.5 million on recycled-content products.
"WasteWise is an
empowering pro-
gram. By showing
cost savings through
waste reduction,
partners are able to
protect the environ-
ment and at the
same time save their
employers money.
Everyone wins: tax-
payers, businesses,
and, most impor-
tantly, the environ-
ment, which is our
legacy to the next
generation,"
-John Fuller, Washoe
County, Nevada
20
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Local Government Program Champions
CITY OF CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY
—RECYCLING PROGRAM
The City of Clifton, New Jersey, conserved 4 tons of disposable cups
by providing about 500 reusable mugs to city employees and resi-
dents. The local government also established a community educa-
tion program on waste reduction, recycling, and shopping with the
environment in mind. More than 400 tons of street sweepings were
salvaged and used as landfill cover in 2000. The city also recycled
200 tons of newspaper and 150 tons of mixed paper, and purchased
office paper containing more than 80 percent recycled material and
spent $12,000 on recycled-content products. In addition, the city
promotes waste prevention and the WasteWise program in its com-
munity education programs, various articles, and through its work
with the local Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.
CITY OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
The City of Durham, North Carolina, ensures that all 2,000 city
employees understand the importance of waste reduction in city
facilities and the community. In November 2000, the city held its
2nd annual Eco-Reception in conjunction with America Recycles
Day. The 300-plus employees in attendance learned how to make
environmentally preferable purchases and to promote recycling,
reuse, composting, and donation of food at all city events. Mugs dis-
playing the city's advertising campaign design, "Use Less Stuff,"
were distributed to City Council members and office staff, and all
new employees were trained on the city's waste reduction program.
Durham's Waste Reduction Policy includes a section on recycled-
content procurement, and the city spent more than $183,500 on
recycled-content products in 2000. Items included picnic benches,
recycled paint, various types of envelopes, and paper. To increase
reuse, the city is developing an online, internal materials exchange
for office supplies and furniture. In 2000, Durham offices expanded
their weekly recycling collection to include mixed paper, and addi-
tional bins are provided for office moves and file clean-outs.
KING COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES, WASHINGTON
The King County Department of Natural Resources began a paper
reduction campaign that included presentations at staff meetings on
paper reduction. They worked to make double-sided printing more
available, started a successful envelope reuse project, and reduced the
number of payroll forms used. In one building, about 550 pounds of
office supplies were reused in 2000, saving $1,300. This reuse effort
included an "Office Supplies Amnesty Days" program. Polystyrene
packing peanuts are collected for reuse by a local shipping business.
Approximately 10 cubic yards of polystyrene peanuts were collected
and reused in 2000. In addition, the department collects food waste
from some employee lunchrooms and sends it to a community gar-
den for compost. The department also purchased $18,000 worth of
recycled concrete aggregate and spent $6,200 on re-refined oil.
KITSAP COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS & EMPLOYEES, WASHINGTON
Kitsap County, Washington implemented a comprehensive waste pre-
vention policy in 2000. The policy directs each department to set
annual waste prevention goals and report on their progress at the
end of the year to the Board of County Commissioners. Highlights of
the program include strategies to use less paper, including revising
forms and making it routine to copy on both sides of the paper.
Purchasing costs and office waste are minimized through the use of
an internal Wa$te Exchange, a program in which the departments
swap surplus office supplies, saving the County more than $3,700 in
2000. Kitsap County employees have also made efforts to increase the
use of products made with recycled content. The Purchasing
Department accepts bids for only recycled-content paper and reman-
ufactured toner cartridges. Each November, the county offers a "recy-
cled only" office products show to educate the employees on the
quality and availability of office supplies made from recycled materi-
als. Other educational efforts are made through e-mail, the employ-
ee newsletter, and the County's Web site at www.kitsapgov.com/sw
Kitsap County is also recognized for implementing a compost pro-
gram for bam waste at the Fair and Rodeo. The program resulted in
turning 150 tons of straw and wood chips into compost instead of
sending it to the landfill. Also in 2000, the county recycled 294 tons
of office paper/cardboard, 61 tons of steel food containers, and more
than 450 tons of recycled or reprocessed concrete and asphalt.
Los ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER
AND POWER, CALIFORNIA
In addition to recycling traditional materials such as office paper, bev-
erage containers, and salvage items, the Los Angeles Department of
Water & Power (LA DWP) in California conserved nearly 250 tons of
yard trimmings through grass-cycling in 2000. E-mail usage also con-
served 1,000 pounds of high-grade paper. LA DWP also began a reuse
collection program for office supplies through its "Re-Use Store," and
collected used eyeglasses, hearing aids, and greeting cards at 15 of its
branch offices. The department donated 7.5 tons of various items to
local nonprofits and collected an additional 9.8 tons of donations from
employees and customers. LA DWP's building remodeling salvage pro-
gram conserved more than 6 tons of building and construction mate-
rials, including carpeting and office supplies. These items were either
reused internally or donated to nonprofit organizations.
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University/College Partner of the Year
SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Seattle
University
FOUNDED 1891 •/
Seattle University, located in the urban center of Seattle, attributes its success at
waste reduction to creativity, commitment to excellence, and community support.
Seattle sent more than 46 tons of food scraps to an off-site composting facility in 2000, and recently approved
plans to begin on-site composting of food and yard waste. Additionally, its new student center will meet the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria for green buildings. Campus education plays a
vital role in the university's success; the Environmental Services Office publishes a quarterly newsletter, Resource,
that highlights special events, waste reduction, and sustainability; and this April, the office held a fashion show
and street fair in celebration of Earth Day. Seattle students and staff donated nearly 5 tons of clothing to local
organizations in 2000 through their move-out clothing drive and year-round clothing donation sites.
University/College Program Champions
EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Eastern Illinois University, a state university of 9,350 students in east
central Illinois, not only looks for common items to reduce, reuse,
and recycle, but uncommon items as well. Turning waste into an
asset, Eastern composted more than 12 tons of leaves and brush col-
lected on campus in 2000 and used it in landscaping on the cam-
pus. The grounds department also sold firewood from tree limbs
cleared on campus, netting $1,190, and chipped wood to use as
mulch. To prevent the disposal of reusable VHS tapes, Eastern col-
lected tapes from the athletic department and redistributed them to
the campus television station, where they were reused for broadcast-
ing. Since 1999, the university has recycled mattresses by inserting
language into its procurement contract requiring that mattresses be
recycled, saving fuel, labor, and landfill space.
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Emory University, located in Atlanta, Georgia, makes waste reduction a
university priority by emphasizing recycled-content purchasing, as well
as reuse and recycling. From 1999 to 2000, the university doubled its
spending on recycled-content products to $1.2 million. To accomplish
this, the recycling office, Emory Recycles, added a procurement link to
its Web site, and the purchasing department established a requirement
that all letterhead would be made of postconsumer-content paper, based
on EPA standards. Emory provided all entering freshmen with reusable
mugs and educated the campus community about waste reduction by
providing tours of the recycling facility to freshmen orientation classes,
departments, and neighboring schools. In the area of recycling, Emory
Recycles' staff made it easy to recycle ink jet cartridges on campus by
distributing cartridge recycling envelopes to residence halls, adminis-
trative offices, and classrooms, collecting 183 cartridges in the first year
of the program. Emory's waste reduction policy affects the larger com-
munity as well. The university held an "Everything Drive" at which
students donated food, clothing, and furniture to local reuse organiza-
tions, and students found fun ways of sharing the waste reduction mes-
sage with local children through an Earth Day fair.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA DIVISION OF
RECOVERABLE AND DISPOSABLE RESOURCES
The Recycling Office at the University of Virginia continually finds cre-
ative ways to increase reuse, recycling, and recycled-content procure-
ment on campus. Educating students and staff about waste reduction
is a fundamental aspect of the university's program. For example, UVA
Recycling distributed a mini-diskette to all first-year students explain-
ing reuse and recycling on campus, and the office distributes a quar-
terly electronic recycling newsletter to area recycling coordinators. The
Recycling Office also supports R.O.S.E., the Reusable Office Supply
Exchange, an online directory that allows faculty and staff to donate
and request office supplies that would otherwise be discarded. In 2000,
five local organizations participated in the 2000 Student Move Out
Program, collecting reusable items such as furniture, non-perishable
food, and clothing for redistribution. They were able to divert 24.4 tons
of mattresses into the hands of a nonprofit agency that cleaned and
redistributed them. Additionally, the university collected more than 600
tons of yard waste for on-site composting last year.
22
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School/School District Partner of the Year
Los ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICE
OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY
As the second-largest school district in the country, the Los Angeles Unified School District
is committed to expanding waste reduction in its schools and imparting a strong waste
reduction message to the more than 700,000 students it services. The district met its 50 per-
cent waste diversion goal in 2000 and conducted on-site visits with more than 40 schools to explore ways to
improve recycling. To prevent food waste, the district began an "offer versus serve" program in which students can
choose the food they would like to consume, preventing an estimated 13,646 tons of food waste in 2000. The dis-
trict replaced wooden pallets with plastic pallets that can be used 50 times longer and recycled, displacing more
than 171 tons of wooden pallets. Additionally, it diverted approximately 8,080 tons of grass from the waste stream
in 2000 by grass-cycling the majority of its athletic fields, and is developing a grass-cycling policy. The district has
adopted an Environmentally Preferable Procurement Policy to support the purchase of products that contain recy-
cled content and to minimize impacts to the environment. The district is working with the City of Los Angeles in a
cooperative recycling pilot program to further determine what can be diverted from its waste stream.
Electronics Challenge Partners of the Year
PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISE GROUP
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), a combined electric, gas, and energy services hold-
ings company located in New Jersey, provides gas, electric, and energy services to more than
3.5 million New Jersey customers. The energy company supported local charitable organiza- PSE G
tions, schools, and community groups by donating nearly 13 tons of refurbished computers.
The donation program included 200 computer systems sent to Pedals for Progress, a nonprofit corporation focus-
ing on needs in developing Latin American countries. PSEG also sold more than 6 tons of computers and electron-
ics equipment for reuse at a total savings of $135,805. In all, PSEG's Computer Recovery and Remanufacturing
Program supported the recovery of more than 19 tons of electronics equipment, including CPUs, monitors, key-
boards, and peripherals. The company also recycled an additional 29 tons of computer equipment in 2000.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - ALABAMA DISTRICT
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
The U.S. Postal Service - Alabama District donated 12 com-
puter systems to the Urban League. Another 74 computer
systems were sent to a postal warehouse and sold for reuse.
The district also upgraded its existing equipment rather than purchasing new systems. As a result, 350 comput-
ers were upgraded. In addition, 5 monitors were sold for revenue of $110, and 7 printers were sold for revenue
of $380. Three CD-ROM drives and eight printers were also recycled.
^ r
r
"WasteWise has been very helpful in taking our waste reduction program to
a new level WasteWise has helped to start new programs at Eastern Illinois
University by eliminating the 'trial and error' part of the process."
-Allan Rathe, Eastern Illinois University
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"WasteWise has provid-
ed us an enhanced
focus and more atten-
tion on our internal
waste reduction goals
and objectives. The pro-
gram also helps us with
our mission of provid-
ing waste reduction
technical assistance to
businesses and others.
When we approach a
business, we can say we
are partners with the
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's
WasteWise program
and we believe in the
Electronics Challenge Program Champions
doing it ourselves."
-Donna Bowman, South
Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control
CITY OF CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY
—RECYCLING PROGRAM
In its first year of electronics reuse and recycling collec-
tion, the City of Clifton, New Jersey, collected 12 tons of
computer and electronic equipment for reuse. In addi-
tion, the city held a "Computer Recycling Week" to col-
lect computers, monitors, keyboards, laptops, stereos/
radios, telephone systems, VCRs, televisions, and print-
ers from city residents. These items were then disas-
sembled for reuse and recycling. The event was so suc-
cessful that a second recycling week was held.
RESOURCE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING
AUTHORITY OF SOUTHWEST OAKLAND
COUNTY, MICHIGAN
In 2000, Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority
of Southwest Oakland County, Michigan
(RRRASOC), a local resource recovery and recycling
authority of only 4 employees, initiated a program
to collect used computer equipment from residents
of its eight member communities. As a result, more
than 19 tons of computers and computer equipment
were recycled.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE-
SACRAMENTO DISTRICT
The U.S. Postal Service - Sacramento District in
California donated for reuse or recycled numerous
electronic items in 2000, including 205 computers,
111 monitors, 75 keyboards, 64 printers, 10 enve-
lope feeders, 4 copy machines, 2 fax machines,
and 2 projectors. In addition, hard drives, floppy
drives, modems, CD-ROM towers, and other items
were recycled.
Endorser Partner of the Year
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
PROMOTE PROTECT PROSPER
South Carolina Department of Health
and Environmental Control
The sign of a well-integrated organization, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC
DHEC) truly leads by example. As both a WasteWise partner and endorser, SC DHEC maintains an extensive inter-
nal waste reduction program while promoting WasteWise to organizations across South Carolina. SC DHEC staff
regularly conduct on-site visits and use the opportunity to encourage organizations to consider joining WasteWise.
Additionally, the agency mailed WasteWise information to recycling coordinators in cities, counties, and universities
across the state, and included an article in its quarterly magazine highlighting its collaboration with WasteWise. To
reach an even larger audience, the agency developed a WasteWise display that it brings to trade shows and a
WasteWise page on its Web site that includes the WasteWise logo and information on the benefits of joining
WasteWise, the services offered by the program, and the necessary steps to begin implementing the program.
Endorser Program Champion
CITY OF CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY
—RECYCLING PROGRAM
The City of Clifton, New Jersey, works to promote the
WasteWise program and waste reduction on an ongo-
ing basis. The local government promotes waste pre-
vention and WasteWise in its education programs,
articles, and through its work with the Chamber of
Commerce and local businesses. Numerous articles
were printed in local papers mentioning Clifton's par-
ticipation in WasteWise as part of the city's Clean
Communities program. In addition, 250 certificates
bearing the WasteWise logo were awarded to local
businesses and organizations for the city's "Clean
Communities Environmental Award." The logo was
also featured on the city's "2000 Recycling Guide,"
which was mailed to more than 2,500 businesses. In
addition, the city designed 25,000 book covers and
5,000 coloring books with the WasteWise logo in the
design for all 24 public and parochial schools.
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NEW WASTE WISE PARTNERS
Aaron's Bicycle Repair * ABB Lummus Global, Inc * ABC, Inc. * Acme Building Maintenance * American Honda Motor Co. * Amtrak
* Anniston Army Depot * Arapahoe Basin Ski'Area * ARCADISG&M •!• Arches National Park * Back Thru the Future Microcomputers, Inc.
•I* Beers York Construction Company, Inc. •& Bentley Environmental Engineering, Inc. •& Brother International Corporation 3f Bureau of
Land Management—OR District Office •!• Cabarrus County Government Offices * California State Parks * California State University at
Cbico * Campus Edge Apartments * Canyonlands National Park * Garten Controls, Inc. * Cascadia Consulting Group * Center for
LfeDecisions * City of Alexandria, VA * City of Federal Way, WA * City of Greenville, SC •!• CityofKirkland, WA * City of Upper Arlington, OH
* CityofYonkers,NY * Clark Patterson Associates * Cold Spring Elementary School * Collective Good, Inc. •!• Colorado State University
3? Contec 3f Cresbel Enterprises 4* 6!fwra 6"or^ 6- to/ Company, Inc.—Olympia, WA •& Cytec Industries, Inc., Wallingford Plant •!•
DaimlerChrysler Detroit Axle * Davlyn Industries * De[jt. of the Interior, Central CA Area Office, BOR * DMC Electronics Recycling Co. *
Dominion Semiconductor, LLC * DRC Group, Inc. * Dyer Mountain Associates, LLC * Dyess Air Force Base * Earth Club *
Friendly Depot •!• Earthwise, Inc. •!• Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio, Inc •!• ECO PHYSICS, INC. -fr Emory University •!•
Solutions 3f Enviro-Pro •!• Escrow, Inc. •!• ETCI, Inc. 4* _£ta?>w M/; /we. ^ /^/w CreK/// ^/fem Insurance Corporation •!• Federal
Correctional Institute—Ray Brook New York * Federal Correctional Institution—Fairton * FermPro Mfg. LP * Fisher-Titus Medical Center
* Frederick County Government * Fresh Fields—Whole Foods Market * Frito-Lay,MD * Frito-Lay, WoosterOH * Full Circle Supply
Co., LLC * G and TIndustries, Inc. * General Shale Products, LLC * Groundscapes Express, Inc. * Handicapped Driver Services, Inc. *
Harper's Consultancy and Superintendence Inc. * Haz-Waste, Inc. * Hostwork International * Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National
Monuments * //«c& Fasteners and Alma Business * Infineon Technologies Richmond * te/iaa? KS4 * Intermag, Inc. * /<«? •S'fe/g
University * IPS of Louisiana Cotfj. * J. A. Volpe National Transportation System Center * Jackson Hole Mountain Resort * JC Wagner
Associates * Johnson Rubber Co. * Juniata College * Kessler Consulting, Inc. * Klawock Cooperative Association * Kolmar Laboratories, Inc.
* Lancaster Central Schools * Los Alamos National Laboratory * Makah Tribe * Mammoth California * Marconi * Marconi Data
Systems * Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection * Massachusetts Hospital Association * Mayco Plastics, Inc. * McStain
Enterprises * Med-Tox Northwest * Miller's Professional Imaging * Mitchell Container Services, Inc. •!• Mohegan Tribe of Indians of CT *
Municipality of 'Caguas * Myriad Development * National Security Agency—OMff * Naval Air Facility Washingon * Naval Air
Station—Patuxent River * Naval Surface Warfare Center Coastal Systems Station * Nebraska Air National Guard * Niagara Mohawk
Power Corporation * Nissan North America, Inc. * North Carolina A&T University * Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation * Nowogroski
Rupp Insurance Group 4* Oto University Facilities Management * Cj£>e/2 /fora Systems * /i^er 7hz// Recycling, Inc. * /M#»
Semiconductors—64 * Photikon Corporation * Port of Seattle, Landscape Department * Progressive Amenities, Inc. •!* R.E.M. Industries, Inc.
* 7?.5. Communications * Radio WOSO1030AM * RealEco.com * Ricoh Corporation •& Ricoh Electronics, Inc. * Roadway Express, Inc.
* Robinson Rancheria of Porno Indians * Rockwell Collins, Inc. 4* Segue, LLC * Senate of Puerto Rico * Seymour Johnson Air Force
Base •!• Sharp Manufacturing Company of America * Shaull & Ullerich Body Shop * Sheehan International * Smithsonian Garber Facility
* Social Security Administration * Social Security Administration—Main Complex * Social Security Administration—Mid Atlantic *
Solvay Polymers, Inc. * Sound Resource Management Group, Inc. * South Carolina Dept. of Health & Env. Control * Spartech Corporation
* St. John's University * St. Peter's Health Care Services * State of Connecticut—DefMrtment of Administrative Services * Sundance Resort
* Supernatural Production, Inc. * T.E.S. Filer Station •!• T.H.E. Engineers, Inc. * TDK Ferrites Corporation * Tennessee Valley Authority
* Tennsco Corporation * The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership * The Presidio Trust * The Retec Group—Pittsburgh Office * Tierra Dynamic
Company * Tom Davis Associates * Toyota Technical Center * Tribal Association on Solid Waste Emergency Response * Trinity Springs Ltd.
* U.S. Air Force—Grissom Air Reserve Base * U.S. Air Force—Shaw Air Force Base * U.S. Army—Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield
* £/.£ Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service, BeltsvilleArea * U.S. Department of Energy—Miamisburg Environmental
Management Project •!• U.S. Department of Labor 4* U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Maritime Admin./Great Lakes Region 4* U.S. EPA Region 3
4* U.S. EPA Region 4 4* U.S. EPA Region 6 4* U.S. Government Printing Office 4* U.S. Postal Service—Sacramento District 4* Unilever
HPC-NA * United Datatech * United Parcel Service of America, Inc. * University of California, Santa Barbara 4* University of Virginia
* University of Washington •!• Urban Recycling •!• UT-Battelle, LLC 4* VIA Metropolitan Transit 4* Vfyer Consulting 4* Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality 4* Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority 4* Virginia Power—Yorktown 4* Walker River Paiute Tribe 4* R^m?
Springs Sanitation and Landfill * Waste Reduction Remedies * Westchester Community College * Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort Country Club
& Ocean Villas * Wing Industries * Wintergreen Resort * Wyndham Hotel—Salt Lake City * Xerox Services Division * XVIIIAirborne
Corps and Fort Bragg, NC 4- Yellowstone National Park * York College, PA Environmental Conscience Organization 4* Young Corporation
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