Monthly Archives: August 2012

Restaurants Improve Waste Recycling

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It was recently announced that Darden Restaurants, parent company of the 2,000 Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurant chains in the United States and Canada, has successfully increased its waste recycling rate from 14% to 28% over the last three years.

For the last year, this landfill diversion rate is equivalent to 140,000 cubic yards of food and restaurant operations waste that was recycled. The figures were reported in the company’s annual sustainability report.

This waste recycling increase is complemented by the company’s successful 100% recycling of unusable frying and cooking oil. In 2011 this represented 20 million gallons that were diverted to create food products for animals, biodiesel, and soaps.

As a result of their emphasizing environmentally pro-active measures over traditional waste disposal, the company achieved cost savings of $18 million with estimates of additional savings up to $12 million to occur between 2012 and 2016.

In addition to the recycling and reselling efforts, Darden has removed all food take-out containers made of polystyrene and increased its use of take-out packaging that contains recycled content and is recyclable. Carry-away bags are available in biodegradable plastic or paper and beverage cups are made of paper.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: While it might see easier to stick to “business as usual,” when you look at every aspect of your operation you might be surprised where you can find a cost savings or profit instead of a liability!

Waste Recycling of Unwanted Plastics

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A recent research study at the University of Texas in Austin indicated that if only 5% of all unusable materials at U.S. recycling facilities were converted to fuel, it would create energy to annually power almost seven hundred thousand homes.

Led by Dr. Michael Webber, the associate director of the Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, the research study determined that fuel created from unrecyclable plastics had a higher energy capability than select grades of coal and could be used in industrial settings.

The study was part of a project designed to demonstrate that fuel from non-recycled plastics, paper and cardboard could successfully power a cement kiln.

In addition to the energy produce, the study also indicated that carbon and sulfur emissions were reduced – almost to the equivalent of remove a million automobiles from U.S. roads.

The study was funded by the American Chemistry Council, which is interested in finding new ways to harness and profit by America’s most abundant and affordable energy resource – those materials disposed of in landfills.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: One business’s trash can be another’s treasure. When was the last time your business did a waste disposal and waste recycling audit? There may be innovative new ways to save green all the way around!

 

Hazardous Waste Violations Result In Penalties

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A metal plating manufacturing business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa will pay almost twenty thousand dollars in federal fines and violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Electro-Coatings which uses chrome, zinc, and nickel in its plating operation, must also spend over one hundred thousand dollars to update its facilities to include technology designed to reduce the amount of hazardous chrome generated as a by-product of their operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency filed the charges of hazardous waste violations against the manufacturer in 2011. All businesses that generate or utilize hazardous waste must comply with federal and state regulations for management, storage, and handling of toxic waste. Failure to follow these regulations can result in harm to the environment and human health.

The business is responsible for generating over one thousand kilos of toxic waste every month, placing them in the business regulation category of large quantity producer. Regulations vary based on the amount of hazardous waste generated every month. Electro-Coatings was charged with violating storing hazardous waste beyond ninety days without proper permits, improper container management including lack of labeling and sealing, lack of sufficient emergency equipment and employee training, insufficient risk planning, and operating without permit a hazardous waste facility. As a result of the settlement agreement, the business is now in compliance with all regulations.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If your business involves hazardous waste be sure you’re compliant with all state and federal regulations. Failure to do so not only harms the environment, but can harm you, your employees, your reputation, and your bank account!