Monthly Archives: April 2012

Taking Care of Pesticides

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Chemical and hazardous wastes such as commercial pesticides have been collected by individual states and municipalities for over 20 years. In the past, these programs were typically limited to individuals and residences – businesses using commercial pesticides such as pest control, landscapers, ranchers, and growers were not allowed to participate. However, some locations throughout the country are beginning to enact chemical collection and recycling programs geared specifically to these groups. You would need to check with your state or local EPA or Department of Agriculture to see if your area participates.

As commercial pesticide and chemical recycling is not uniform through the country, which business sectors can participate vary depending on the state and are often funded through commercial pesticide registration fees that business pays, the nation EPA, and state funds. The collection method for these programs is similar to recycling efforts for electronic waste – one day or weekend long events where business can drop off their waste. The chemical waste is then collected, secured, and transported to a facility with a contained high temperature incinerator. Destroying the chemicals in this manner prevents seepage into groundwater and the soil.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If your business relies upon commercial pesticides and other chemicals, investigate chemical disposal programs in your area. Proper disposal can help us to save the environment and may reduce your disposal costs!

Construction Waste Recycling

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Construction waste contributes significantly to the total waste stream of the US. Do you know that close to 90% of all construction waste sent to landfills has the possibility of being recycled or re-sold? Making the effort to Recycle and re-using construction waste helps to preserve our valuable natural resources and saves both consumers and businesses money. Some of the few construction items with the potential for recycling value include plastic, wood, paint, carpet, wallboard, and metal.

If you’re in construction, building, or demolition, there are a few ways to increase recycling:

  1. Collect All Materials – In this method, all materials for recycling are combined together and transported to a facility or transfer station which arranges the sorting and recycling process.
  2. Separation of Materials – In this method, construction materials ear-marked for recycling are sorted at the work site  (such as metal, wood, and concrete) and then transported to facilities.
  3. On-Site Processing  – In this method, materials identified for recycling are processed on site and made ready for reuse. This can be the most cost-effective strategy if you generate considerable amounts of a particular recyclable material.

The cost incentives that result from construction recycling include: less disposal and transportation costs, decreased need for new materials, and reduced labor costs.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Making a plan to effectively recycle construction waste helps to save your business money while keeping recyclable materials out of our landfills.

Is Your Business Recycling Paper?

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Did you know that waste paper contributes to more than twenty-nine percent of all solid waste? When you look at how much waste your business generates each month know that you could reduce that considerably by recycling paper. Paper recycling is typically the easiest of all office waste to implement programs for and for good reasons.Recycling reduces our need for increasing amounts of landfill space and preserves the environment. Many of America’s paper manufacturers already utilize paper collected through recycling programs, and rely on this stream to create new paper products. When trees are cut down carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and this contributes to high levels of greenhouses gasses. Greenhouse gasses have been shown to contribute to climate change, rising sea levels, and radical changes to the environmental landscape.

What are the direct and immediate benefits of recycling paper? When your business recycles over a ton of paper it:

  • Reduces the need for more landfill space
  • Saves thousands of gallons of water
  • Provides power to supply a home for half a year
  • Eliminates greenhouse gases by one MTCE

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Paper recycling is one of the most efficient things your business can do to save money and the environment. Go green and save green!

Businesses Who Reduce Waste Save Money

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Businesses of all sectors and sizes have at least one thing in common – they all produce waste! The kinds of waste produced will vary depending on your market. Some businesses may only generate paper and water, while others will have to contend with hazardous materials that require regulated disposal methods. Regardless of the type of waste or the volume, removal costs will be a part of your annual expenditures. This is why waste reduction and recycling is essential.

While many businesses believe in the economic and environmental value of recycling, setting up a process requires time, energy, and planning. The key factor to remember is that every piece of waste that isn’t converted to revenue is costing your business money. Take a look at what’s in your garbage dumpster and see if you can turn lost revenues into an income stream. Also keep in mind that consuming and disposing of less automatically reduces your garbage removal costs. Take a look at what is thrown away and see if certain habits can be changed to produce less trash.

There are many different ways to reduce waste generation. Here are just a few:

  1. Purchase durable, long-lasting goods and materials
  2. Reduce or eliminate raw materials that are not a part of your final product or service
  3. Using toxic or hazardous materials
  4. Cutting back on water and energy use
  5. Using e-mail instead of printing paper copies and using double-sided printing when copies are needed make a big dent in paper waste.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Make waste reduction and recycling a part of your business strategy. You will not only positively impact the environment but your bottom-line as well!

Quick & Easy Recycling Ideas

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Starting a plan to reduce, re-use, and recycle doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Whether you’re trying to implement a program at work or home (or both!) here are a few simple ideas to get started:

1. Plant a garden. Either in the ground or in containers. This can be done regardless of the  size of your yard. All you need is a little space outdoors with some sunshine!

2. We’ve all heard of designated drivers but how about designated recyclers? At your next party or function identify a person who will serve to ensure that plastic or glass is recycled properly (and if you’re in a place where there’s a redemption credit you’ll get some money back!).

3. Don’t let cold water go to waste. Capture it to use for pets, plants, or for later drinking.

4. Try the no-trash lunch. Bringing meals from home is a great, money-saving idea but take it a bit further by replacing paper bags with reusable sacks, cutlery, and containers.

5. Before buying new, see if there’s a refurbished option. Many electronic and appliance vendors sell these items with a full warranty but at substantial savings.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When you make recycling fun and innovative the people around you want to get involved. The more you reduce, re-use, and recycle, the more money you’ll save as well. This helps not only the environment but your home or business as well!

Reduce Energy Use By Recycling

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Do you want to see the immediate energy saving benefits of what recycling can do? Visit the iWARM calculator available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website and learn about how recycling workplace and household items equates to energy usage.

Here are just a few fun facts: Making the choice to recycle an aluminum can rather than put it in the garbage, produces energy equal to operating a 60W incandescent light for a little over 4 hours, or a compact fluorescent light for over 20 hours?  Think about all the cans of beverage you, your family, and your co-workers consume in a given day – if all those cans were recycled that’s enough to light an entire house or small building!

But the iWARM calculator shows more than just the energy benefits of recycling cans. It can also help you determine the energy savings for all these common items:

  • Metal coat hangers
  • Glass bottles
  • Steel cans
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Gallon plastic (HDPE) milk jug
  • Gallon plastic (HDPE) detergent container
  • Plastic grocery bag
  • Plastic (PET) bottles
  • Catalogs
  • Weekly magazines
  • White business envelopes
  • Paperboard Cereal boxes
  • Daily newspapers
  • Printer paper
  • and much more!

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Most homes and business have all the recyclable items listed above. Are you recycling them or adding them in with trash? If you aren’t recycling then you’re adding additional costs to your bottom line! Disposing of your waste and recycling in an efficient, compliant manner can help to save the environment and save you money!

Reducing Waste At Work

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Have you ever thought about how much waste you generate on an average day at work? Take one day and try to notice how many times you throw something into the garbage and how much energy is consumed (electricity, gas, oil…) as part of the workplace. If you find you’re surprised at how much waste there is, here are a few suggestions for improving your reduce, reuse, and recycle habits!

  1. Use double sided printing when you need to print out paper copies. If your work does require frequent printing, try to purchase paper that has a high recycled content in it.
  2. Get your employees and co-workers in the habit of viewing files on-line instead of automatically providing paper copies.
  3. Appliances of all sizes continue to draw electricity when they are plugged in but not in use. Make a habit of shutting off and unplugging any non-essential equipment at close of business. You’ll be surprised by the change in your power bill!
  4. Position office furniture near windows to take advantage of natural light and use energy-efficient light bulbs.
  5. Set up carpools or alternative transportation award system to assist employees traveling by public transportation. Install bike racks to encourage biking to work.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: The easiest way to encourage change in the workplace is to get all employees involved. Make recycling simple and fun and you’ll start to see energy-savings and cost-savings!

Cut Back Your Food Waste At Home And Work

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Whether you’re at home or at work there are many easy ways to reduce the amount of food and meal-related waste you generate. The US Environmental Protection Agency provides many great ideas for individuals and groups to follow to help lessen each person’s environmental impact. How many of these tips do you already follow?

  1. Set up a compost bin or pile for vegetable waste, your garden will love the natural fertilizer!
  2. Pack a lunch box or cooler to take to work or school. You’ll be amazed how many paper and plastic bags you stop using!
  3. When you’re in the cafeteria-line or lunchroom, try to take servings, condiments, and utensils that you know you’ll completely eat and use. Some plastic items like forks, spoons, and knives can be used several times before throwing away.
  4. If you purchase store-bought fountain drinks or coffee, bring your own mug or container – some stores will give you a discount on the price when you bring your own cup!
  5. Grown your own! Whether it’s a home garden, a community plot, or joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) program – buying locally grown produce reduces the carbon-footprint of the food you and your family consume. You’ll also be amazed how fresh and delicious it tastes!

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When you’re at home, work, or school think about the small changes you can make to reduce the food and meal-time waste you generate – you’ll be surprised how those little actions can add up to something big!

Mercury and Fluorescent Lights: a Dangerous Duo

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Carbon Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) are a very popular lighting choice in our homes, offices, schools, and businesses. However, these lights often contain mercury – a highly toxic substance to humans, animals, and the environment.

The next time you’re called on to remove or replace fluorescent lights, keep a few of these safety tips in mind:

  1. When you throw a bulb into the trash it will break and release the mercury. Make sure to always recycle these bulbs in a proper manner. If you are unsure how to go about doing this, contact your local transfer station or municipal office. Some areas have designated drop-off areas or days.
  2. While the  mercury in these bulbs is very hazardous, the other materials comprising the bulb are excellent for recycling – the glass and metal can be easily reused and re-manufactured into other items.
  3. Recycling may be mandatory in your state! In places like California, Vermont, Minnesota, Massachusetts and others, the state regulations require bulbs containing mercury to be recycled. You’re breaking the law if you don’t follow!
  4. So what do you do if your state or town doesn’t require or offer recycling for CFLs? Some retailers have independent recycling programs – check online or ask your favorite home and construction supply store if they offer such services.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Newer fluorescent lights do not pose the same hazards as the older, mercury-containing ones. However, as these lights are very cost-effective and have a long-life of use, remembering to properly recycle them is essential.

Build Green and Reduce Waste

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Need a few more reasons why you should go “green” when building your next home or industrial/commercial project? Take a look at the statistics presented by the Environmental Protection Agency:

In the US alone, our buildings are responsible for:

  • 39% of all energy use,
  • 12% of all water use,
  • 68% of all electricity use, and
  • 38% of all carbon dioxide emissions.

By employing building practices that incorporate sustainability and energy reduction, both builders and owners will benefit from the building’s cost- and environmental-savings performance. Sustainable construction practices can be integrated at any and all stages, starting with design and construction, as well as renovation and demolition or deconstruction. Here are just a few of the benefits that sustainable building practices bring about: :

  1. Protect our biodiversity and ecosystems by reducing waste and the strain on natural resources.
  2. Reduce costs to operate by lowering utility bills.
  3. Expands and shapes the new “green” economy helping to employ Americans.
  4. Contribute to the heath and well-being of residents and workers by enhancing their quality of life.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Using sustainable building techniques is important for both today and tomorrow. Before your next building project take at look at some of the options available you and your client will be pleasantly surprised at how easy and affordable “going green” can be!