OMB No. 2050-0139   Expiration Date: June 30, 2011
2008  WasteWise Awards
                        INSTRUCTION MANUAL
                                                                                   Preserving Resources,
                                                                                     Preventing Waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise Program is proud to offer recognition again this
year for the efforts and achievements of outstanding organizations. WasteWise will issue Partner of the Year,
Endorser of the Year, Gold Achievement, Hall of Fame, and Honorable Mention Awards. The application
process is simple, and there are many benefits.
Application  Process:
       ENSURE ELIGIBILITY
       First, select a category and ensure the eligibility of your organization by consulting the
       requirements noted within this application packet. If you are unsure of eligibility or
       require assistance, please contact the WasteWise Helpline at (800) EPA-WISE (372-9473).

       REPORT 2007 WASTEWISE EFFORTS
       Applicants for Partner of the Year and Gold Achievement Awards must submit a
       WasteWise Assessment Form with their annual waste reduction data. This form
       serves as the most important piece of the Awards application. WasteWise encourages
       all Partners to complete their forms and ensure that they contain as much detail
       as possible, especially in the Comments section. Please use the Evaluation Criteria
       section of this application packet to help guide the completion of your report.
   The application
      deadline is
  March 31, 2008
Award  decisions will I
made in Summer 2008, and
EPA will recognize winners
in Fall  2008. WasteWise is
not responsible for lost or
damaged entries.
       COMPLETE THE AWARDS APPLICATION FORM
       Please use the checklist provided on the back of the application to ensure that you include all of the information requested.

       COMPOSE WRITTEN STATEMENT
       Applicants for all Awards are required to submit a written statement for each Award category for which you are applying. The
       written statement should address the evaluation criteria outlined in the 2008 WasteWise Awards Packet. The written statement
       for each Award category should not exceed 5 pages in length.

       SUPPLY SUPPORTING MATERIALS (RECOMMENDED)
       To support your application, WasteWise welcomes the submission of additional materials (e.g., photographs, newsletters,
       flyers, or press releases). WasteWise requests that supporting materials relate directly to the Award category. Attachments and
       supporting materials will not be returned.


Partner of the Year

This Award recognizes Partners for their overall waste prevention achievements, recycling collection initiatives,
efforts to purchase or manufacture recycled-content products, and activities to promote WasteWise.

Awards will be given to one Partner from each of the following sectors: small business, midsize business, large
business, very large business, federal government, local government, state government, tribal government,
school/school district, college/university, and nonprofit organization. Depending on Partner response, Awards
may not be given in all categories.
                      'HE AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2008

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                                                                                          Eligibility
                                                                            Active participation in WasteWise for at least
                                                                            1 year from application due date
                                                                            Submission of WasteWise Assessment Form
                                                                            for 2007 WasteWise activities
                                                                            Submission of Awards Application Form
                                                                            Submission of a written statement of "
                                                                            or less addressing the evaluation criteria
WasteWise will evaluate entries based on the criteria described below:

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Waste Prevention Initiatives (30 percent)
*   Comprehensive and innovative approaches. Comprehensive approaches
    may include multiple activities aimed at reducing a single waste stream
    (e.g., activities toward a specific area or material). Innovation includes using
    atypical or unique solutions for preventing waste. Emphasize activities
    implemented beyond fundamental waste prevention actions. Fundamental
    actions might include duplex copying or switching to reusable mugs.
•   Amount prevented. Quantify the amount of waste prevented in 2007 for
    each specific material.
•   Reduction in expenditures/increase in revenue. Quantify any reduction in expenditures associated with avoided disposal charges,
    avoided purchasing costs, and any revenue from  sales of used materials in 2007.

Recycling Collection Initiatives (25 percent)
*   Improvements due to WasteWise. Describe any activities in 2007 that improved recycling or collection processes. These activities could
    include placing bins in locations that are more convenient, collecting and recycling new types of materials such as yard waste or food scraps,
    or implementing employee education campaigns.
•   Amount recycled. Quantify the amount of each specific material recycled in 2007 as a direct result of your participation in WasteWise.
•   Reduction in expenditures/increase in revenue. Quantify any reduction in expenditures associated with avoided disposal costs or
    revenue from sales of recyclables in 2007.

Buying/Manufacturing Products with Recycled-Content Initiatives (25 percent)
*   Increased levels  of recycled content in products purchased or manufactured. Quantify increases in the percentage of the recycled
    content of products purchased or manufactured  in 2007.
•   Optional information. Sample topics that you could discuss: increasing the purchasing of recycled-content products, encouraging
    vendors to supply more recycled-content products, or writing recycled-content specifications into service contracts. If applicable,
    you can describe your efforts to increase levels of post-consumer materials in your products, implement a closed-loop manufacturing
    process, or manufacture a new product with recycled content.

Internal and External Promotion of WasteWise  (20 percent)
*   WasteWise Program support. Describe any steps taken in 2007 to support WasteWise by participating in WasteWise functions such
    as attending WasteWise conferences and meetings, hosting events, participating as a speaker, or delivering WasteWise presentations.
•   Internal promotion. Describe any activities your organization initiated in 2007 to internally promote WasteWise participation (e.g.,
    publishing employee WasteWise newsletters, hosting information fairs on waste reduction, creating posters or fliers encouraging
    waste reduction, or incorporating waste reduction into employee training).
•   External promotion. Describe activities undertaken in 2007 to promote WasteWise to suppliers, customers, colleagues, and
    the general public. Promotion could include use of the WasteWise logo on Partners' Web sites, letterhead, or other external
    communication pieces.
Endorser of the Year

This Award recognizes Endorsers' outstanding efforts to promote
the WasteWise Program to other organizations and their success
in recruiting new Partners. WasteWise will evaluate entries for
Awards based on the following criteria:

EVALUATION  CRITERIA
Promotional Activities (50 percent)
*   Scope of activities. Describe the range of activities conducted in 2007 by
    your organization to promote WasteWise, including information on the
    creativity and the effectiveness of promotional methods.
                                                                                          Eligibility
                                                                             1 year from application due date
                                                                             Submission of Awards Application Form
                                                                             Submission of a written statement of 5 pages
                                                                             or less addressing the evaluation criteria
                           'HE AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 31, 2008

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•   Frequency of efforts. Describe efforts conducted in 2007 to promote the WasteWise Program.

Promotional Results (50 percent)
*   New Partners joining. Quantify the number of WasteWise Partners joining as a result of your promotional efforts in 2007.
•   New organizations designated as WasteWise prospects. Quantify the number of WasteWise prospects that resulted from your
    promotional efforts in 2007.
Hall of Fame
Since the inception of WasteWise in 1994, a select group of
member organizations have continually excelled with their waste
reduction efforts, supported the initiatives of the WasteWise
Program, and served as role models for other Program members.
To recognize the outstanding achievements and commitment of
these members, WasteWise created the Hall of Fame.
Organizations do not need to complete an application for the Hall
of Fame.  EPA will review annual reports and Awards applications
and make selections based on the following eligibility requirements
and evaluation criteria:
     Organizational culture for waste
     reduction
     Sustained environmental
     performance
     Creativity/innovation in
     reducing waste
                                          Non-traditional methods of waste
                                          reduction

                                          Outreach to other organizations

                                          Relative impact of waste reduction
                                          activities
                                                                                    Eligibility
                                                                         Active participation in WasteWise for at
                                                                         least 5 years from application due date
                                                                         Minimum of 5 years continuous
                                                                         reporting to the WasteWise Program
                                                                         Sustained environmental
                                                                         accomplishments over at least
                                                                         a 5-year-period of time
WasteWise Awards received

Reporting history

Level of involvement with
the program
Gold Achievement Awards
                                                                                 Eligibility
In 2005, WasteWise introduced the Gold Achievement Awards to recognize organizations for outstanding
successes in specific focus areas. The following are potential
categories for 2007 Gold Achievement Awards. Depending
on Partner response, Awards may not be given in all
categories.
•  New Partner: This Award recognizes a new WasteWise Partner who,
   in its first year, implements successful comprehensive waste reduction
   programs that typify the goals and objectives of the WasteWise Program.
•  Green Purchasing: This Award recognizes a Partner who develops
   purchasing policies that promote the procurement of products
   with an overall reduced environmental impact or products with
   environmentally friendly attributes (e.g. those containing less toxics,
   greater recycled content, and reusability).
•  Employee Education: This Award recognizes a Partner who
   implements an educational or promotional campaign that is well
   planned, comprehensive, and creates employee awareness about the
   organization's waste prevention and recycling activities.
   Key elements could include regular employee training and education that promote employee participation in the organization's
   WasteWise initiatives. Examples could include e-mail blasts, news bulletins, internal competitions, posters, and new employee
   orientation materials.
                                                                    1 year from application due date
                                                                    Submission of WasteWise Assessment Form
                                                                    for 2007 WasteWise activities
                                                                    Submission of Awards Application Form
                                                                    Submission of a written statement of 5 pages
                                                                    or less addressing the evaluation criteria
                     'HE AWARDS APPLICATION  DEADLINE IS MARCH  31, 2008

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•   Paper Reduction: This Award recognizes a Partner who reduces paper use and increases paper recycling through sustainable
    and comprehensive program initiatives. Activities should go beyond duplex copying, procurement of recycled content paper,
    or implementation of general office paper collection programs.
•   Organic Material Reduction: This Award recognizes a Partner who initiates the recycling, reuse, marketing, and utilization of
    organic materials such as yard waste and food scraps.
•   Climate Change: This Award recognizes a Partner who achieves significant GHG reductions through waste prevention and
    recycling activities. The program also should include a focus on the relationship between waste reduction and climate change.
•   Product Stewardship:  This Award recognizes a Partner who reduces a product's life-cycle environmental impact. This can
    include designing a product to use less resources, toxics, or energy; to be more reusable, upgradeable, or recyclable; or to
    make sure that its environmental impacts are reduced or eliminated (as much as possible) during manufacture, use, and end-
    of-life management. In addition, efforts should ensure that the product is properly recovered and recycled at the end of its
    useful life.
•   Industrial Material Recycling: This Award recognizes a Partner who beneficially uses industrial materials—some of which
    include coal combustion products, construction and demolition materials, foundry sand, slag, and gypsum—in practical
    applications.
    •   Building Applications - Using industrial materials in the construction or renovation of green buildings. For example,
        using coal fly ash in concrete for a building's foundation or using the old concrete as a source of aggregate material.
    *   Transportation Applications - Using industrial materials in the construction of roads and other pavement surfaces,
        bridges, and embankments. For example, using coal fly ash, slag, or foundry sand in road embankments and flowable fill.
    »   Agricultural/Horticultural Applications - Using industrial materials as a manufactured soil or agricultural amendment.
        For example, using boiler wood ash as an agricultural liming material.
•   Public Venue Recycling: This Award recognizes a Partner who implements long- and short-term recycling collection programs
    in public spaces and at events that take place outside of the home or workplace. Venues include stadiums, park and
    recreation facilities, festivals, and malls.
•   Recycling in the Workplace: This Award recognizes a Partner who demonstrates the implementation of a comprehensive
    recycling program in the workplace. Collection programs should be multi-material (e.g., plastic and glass bottles, cans, paper)
    with an emphasis on direct participation by employees. Program elements also should include on-going employee education,
    outreach efforts, training, and a measurement component.
•   Public Venue Recycling: This Award recognizes a Partner who implements meaningful changes in the design, sourcing,
    manufacture, purchase, or use of materials for primary, secondary, or transport packaging. Key elements could include
    responsible sourcing of packaging materials, optimization of resources and energy, positive influence on suppliers or
    consumers, and effective recovery of the packaging after its useful life.
•   Community Involvement: This Award recognizes a Partner for hosting, participating in, or supporting community activities
    linked to waste reduction.

Applicants for the Gold Achievement Awards can choose to apply in any of the categories named above
or designate an additional category with a different focus. Applicants may apply in more than one Gold
Achievement Award category. EPA will review and consider adding all  additional  categories that are
submitted.

EVALUATION  CRITERIA

Applicants  for Gold Achievement Awards will be evaluated on criteria such as:
  •   Education and outreach               •   Innovation/creativity                  •   Impact on sustainable
  •   Expenditure reductions/              •   Amount of waste reduced                 development
      investments reductions                .   Intemal and external promotion        *   Environmental leadership
  •   Commitment to waste reduction
                       'HE AWARDS APPLICATION DEADLINE IS  MARCH 31, 2008

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