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WASTE RECYCLING INFORMATION
May 2012
WASTE RECYCLING TITLES IN THIS MONTHS
COLLECTION
Avoid Illegal Construction Dumping
Shopping for Green Building Materials
Using Recycled Metal Tiles
Green Building Myths
New Home Green Home
Markets for Recycling
Precautions for PCBs and Caulk
Industrial Waste Management Guide
Garbage Becomes Gold
Hazardous Waste at Home and Work
Hazards of Mercury
Hazardous Waste Management for Small Businesses
Regulations for Heating Oil Tanks
Sustainable Communities Resources
Recycling Asphalt Shingles
Dumpster Dollars
Cut Costs With Deconstruction
Managing Construction Recycling
Ways to Reduce Jobsite Waste
New Life for Polystyrene
A Greener, Cleaner Business Environment
A Cleaner Environment
Recycling Electronics
Avoid Illegal Construction Dumping
While it might be tempting to avoid waste
removal fees by dumping construction materials illegally in remote or deserted
locations, the outcome of a recent court case in
In addition, the company will also have to
pay another $150k to assist in the rehabilitation and repair of the nine acres
that were polluted and contaminated by their waste materials. The case involved
over two hundred construction waste loads from large dump trucks being illegally
dumped into protected wetlands essential to salmon and steelhead populations.The
river where the dumping occurred is considered impaired due to low dissolved
oxygen, excessive sediment loads, and high water temperatures.
The illegal dumping happened from 2005 to
2008 and polluted over four acres of wetlands and violated the Clean Water Act,
a federal regulation designed to protect our country’s coasts, lakes, rivers,
streams, and wetlands, which are vital to human health and the well-being of our
environment.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Cutting corners to save in waste disposal fees is never a good idea. Resorting
to illegal dumping will certainly land you and your company in hot water!
Shopping for Green Building Materials
Posted on
May 30, 2012
Green building now encompasses a number of
different building materials. methods, and and techniques into one comprehensive
group. LEED is the authorizing body which certifies which materials, processes,
and products are the best in terms of performance and quality.
Many of the environmentally friendly
products that are available for home and office renovation and construction
projects are unique, and utilize materials that might otherwise end up in a
landfill. There are now a multitude of products that utilize resources like
post-consumer paper, scrap metal, rubber, and glass. Not only to these products
do good for the environment but they also look good in your home or office. Many
of these new, innovative products are equally as durable as their
less-environmentally friendly predecessors and in terms of cost are reasonably
comparable.
Determine which products are truly “green”
and not just marketed to consumers as green takes a bit of research. If you
don’t have a specific green building supply store in your area take some time to
research products online to make sure you’re getting the best value for your
dollar.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
There are many options to choose from if you’re looking for green building and
home renovation materials. Take your time, evaluate different options, and make
a sound choice for both your building and the environment.
Using Recycled Metal Tiles
Posted on
May 29, 2012
Are you getting ready to renovate a kitchen
backsplash and counter-top? Looking for an environmentally friendly yet unique
and sleek look and design? Consider utilizing recycled metals tiles!
So many home building materials have both
beneficial and negative consequences for the environment. For example, your
standard kitchen or bathroom tiles seem harmless enough, right? While tiles
don’t give off any toxic fumes to compromise air quality,the weight of tiles
require more energy in transportation. This additional weight increases the
carbon footprint and offsets the positives attributes.
If you’re looking for a stone or ceramic
tile substitute that combines the limited impact on air quality with less weight
for transportation, consider recycled metal tiles. These alternatives can be
excellent as an environmentally friendly choice for kitchen backsplashes and
countertops. Reasons to consider them include:
§
They are recycled, durable, and light to transport
§
Their glossy surface gives a nice balance a variety of decor
§
The price for recycled metal tiles tends to be in-line with
non-eco-friendly alternatives so you don’t have to pay more for the benefits!
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
When you’re getting ready to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, consider these
new, recycled metal tiles. They combine good looks and efficiency with
environmentally friendly benefits!
Green Building Myths
Posted on
May 28, 2012
If you’re a homeowner considering
environmentally friendly renovations or a home builder thinking about utilizing
more green design and construction practice, you’ve probably heard quite a few
opinions about what’s good and not-so-good to do. Here are a few of the most
persistent myths about green-building practices.
1. Going Green is Expensive - True, some green materials can cost
more but you also have to consider that a penny spent today can result is a
dollar saved tomorrow in terms of energy costs. The costs for electricity and
home heating and cooling will only rise over time. Energy efficiency today will
save you over the years.
2. Green Products are Poor Substitutes
- Did you know that the new low, flush toilets work better than the old,
water wasting ones they replace? Sure, some cutting-edge new products may not be
100% problem free, but those that have been around for some time tend to work
equally as well if not better than their non-green counterparts.
3. Green is Only About Energy Conservation -
Energy conservation is a major concern with green building, but so is the
health and well-being of the humans inhabiting or working within the structure
as well as the environmental impact on the surrounding community.
4. Changing Windows Always Saves You Money -
Not necessarily true! Take a look at your current windows – ones
installed within the last 20 years are still very efficient and may not result
in any great savings if replaced.
5. You Need Solar Panels
- Generating solar
electricity is very popular right now but solar hot water heaters result in
great savings at a lower cost. Do your research before you buy and see if it’s
the best way to be efficient.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
It pays to be informed about the best practices in green building, renovations,
and home energy solutions. Do the math before you invest to make sure it’s the
right solution for you and your family!
New Home Green Home
Posted on
May 25, 2012
Millions of Americans each year hope to
achieve the dream of owning their own home. The National Association of Home
Builders estimates that construction takes place for over 1.8 million homes each
year. If you’re in the home building or home rennovation business, consider
adding energy efficient and sustainable building practices to the homes you are
working on.
Why should builders care about
environmentally friendly homes? Sustainable homes protect the environment by
utilizing energy efficient practices. Less impact on the earth makes it a better
place for all living creatures that we share the environment with! Once great
way to improve a home’s efficiency is with Energy Star products. Energy Star
represents energy efficiency and approves and rates new residential homes,
commercial facilities, and over 40 product types as energy efficient. Some of
the most common Energy Star products are home appliances, lighting, office
equipment, and cooling and heating devices.
Energy Star homes are dwelling that are
substantially more energy efficient than other homes. Energy Star Homes are at
least 20% more efficient and can save owners hundreds of dollars every year in
energy costs while helping to reduce damage t the environment.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Whether you’re building or renovating homes, consumers are looking to save
money. Energy Star products and design can help to do that. It’s a win-win
situation for you and the buyer!
Markets for Recycling
Posted on
May 24, 2012
Are you a state or local official wanting
to know more about market development initiatives for recycling? Read more for a
quick overview of the resources available for those interested in moving into
the recycling business as well as some of the economic benefits of this
enterprise.
The market for recycled products has three stages:
1)
collecting the specific recycable materials
2) manufacturing the new,
recycled-content product
3) selling new products
Recycling markets are an important part of
business and economic development and can contribute greatly to any community as
individuals are employed at all three stages of the process.
Establishing new markets for recycled goods
is important to the long-term success of any recycling process. Without a market
for recycled goods, there is minimal reason to collect the recycled items and
manufacture new products with them.
Some of the items that have been successfully collected and
manufactured into new products to be sold through recycled markets include:
Consumer Electronics
Organic waste (including food, yard, and wood)
Paper
Scrap Tires
Used Cooking Oil
Aluminum
Automotive Parts
Batteries
Glass
Plastics
Steel
Textiles
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Think outside the box and create revenue from your waste and recycled good
streams. Your business community and the environment will be better because of
it!
Precautions for PCBs and Caulk
Posted on
May 23, 2012
If you are a building owner or
administrator of a facility renovated or built from 1950 to 1978, are you aware
of what should be done to reduce PCB exposure? This toxic chemical has been
found to be present in caulk used for construction during that time period.
PCBs, were lab-made chemicals were used in
electrical products and construction materials before 1978. This chemical has
been shown to negatively impact the immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine
systems and is cancer-causing with long-term, prolonged exposure.
While the potential presence of PCBs is a
critical issue, there are steps to take to ensure health and safety for all
occupants. The EPA suggests that to lessen exposure to potentially dangerous
caulk the following should be implemented:
§
routinely cleaning air ducts and improving ventilation systems
§
frequent cleanings with a damp or wet cloth to reduce dust and
residue
§
using high efficiency air filters on vacuums and minimize dry
broom usage
§
washing hands with soap and water frequently
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Whether you’re renovating a building or working or living in one that fits the
1950-1978 time period for PBC caulk, it’s wise to take precautions and learn
more about what can be done to protect your healthy and safety.
Industrial Waste Management Guide
Posted on
May 22, 2012
Are you in need of a refresher course in
Industrial Waste Management? Take some time to review the EPA’s comprehensive
management guide. Over eight billion tons of industrial waste is generated and
disposed of each year by American facilities representing close to twenty
industry sectors. The waste includes a full range of inorganic and organic
chemicals, primary steel and iron, resin and plastics, stone, clay, concrete and
glass, paper and pulp, and food products.
The Guide is designed to provide facility
managers, tribal and state regulators, and the general public with ideas and
resources to make best-practice decisions regarding the management and disposal
of non-hazardous industrial wastes. The Guide assists facility managers in
making environmentally-conscious operations choices while working in
collaboration with tribal and tribal regulators and the general public. For
regulators at the state or tribal level, the Guide provides a useful reference
tool that can be used to provide extra value to pre-existing waste management
programs in their area. The general public is also encouraged to utilize the
information in the Guide as a mechanism to become better informed about waste
management issues at the local, state, and national levels.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Ignorance is never an excuse for a poor outcome. Whether you’re in waste
management, government, or a concerned citizen, learn the facts about industrial
waste and apply them to what is happening in your business, state, or community.
Garbage Becomes Gold
Posted on
May 21, 2012
Food and other organic waste makes up a
significant portion of our country’s solid waste stream. The Environmental
Protection Agency estimates that the nation’s landfills contain up to 66% of
paper and paperboard, food discards, yard trimmings and wood—adding – all
compostable waste.
In the state of
Within three years of launching the
program, more than 45 commercial waste generators and 70 supermarkets,
restaurants, schools, and wholesale food distributors were providing their
organic waste which was transported by six regional commercial haulers and
delivered to seven farm locations throughout the state. The composted material
is then made available for sale.
By composting the wastes instead of allowing it to sit in
landfills, in four years the greenhouse gas reductions were approximately 6,000
metric tons of carbon equivalent —an amount comparable to what over 6,000 acres
of five-year-old trees could accomplish in a year.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Organic food and paper waste has value and can easily be diverted from
landfills. Consider this idea and see if your business can turn garbage into
gold!
Hazardous Waste at Home and Work
Posted on
May 18, 2012
Were you aware that many products found in
our homes and offices contain reactive, corrosive, ignitable, or toxic
ingredients and are considered household hazardous waste? Paints, pesticides,
oils, cleaners, and batteries all contain potentially hazardous components and
caution must be taken when disposing of them.
What are some things you shouldn’t do to
dispose of these products? Don’t place these items in your regular trash or pour
them down the drain or flush them through the toilet. Doing so will contribute
to water and environmental contamination. Instead, contact your local
environmental protection agency or municipal transfer station to determine how
to best, and safely, dispose of these items.
One of the easiest things you can do to
reduce the presence of hazardous waste in your home or office is to limit or
eliminate your purchase of toxic products. Purchase environmentally friendly
cleaning products instead of toxic ones, purchase rechargeable batteries that
can be used many times, and look for greener alternatives to any area which
currently utilizes hazardous products.
So how do you dispose of these hazardous
items when they are finished or you’re making the switch to less toxic
alternatives? Your community may provide the following options:
§
Check with your local government to see if they have special
drop-off or collection points for this household hazardous waste.
§
In smaller communities, there may be special days for collection
of hazardous wastes including tires, electronics waste, paint, pesticides…
Contacting your local transfer station should provide you with the information
you need.
§
Contact local businesses as some may provide collection points
for tires, cell phones, motor oil, and other items.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Even a little hazardous waste is still hazardous. Be sure to properly dispose of
all toxic materials. Failure to do so endangers not only your family or
employees but others in your community!
Hazards of Mercury
Posted on
May 17, 2012
Mercury is a natural element found in the
earth’s soil, water, and air and has been used in the manufacturing of appliance
switches, thermometers, some forms of light-bulbs, and select pharmaceutical
applications and medical devices. Mercury is also found in coal and when burned,
it is released into the atmosphere and the environment. Mercury is considered
hazardous so proper treatment of products – natural or manufactured – that
contain this substance is essential.
Exposure to mercury needs to be taken
seriously – especially if your business uses the substance for manufacturing or
energy production. Mercury that is released into the environment ultimately
finds it way to local water sources where it poisons the water and is consumed
by native fish and plant life. When fish from contaminated water sources are
consumed by human, mercury poisoning occurs. The EPA releases annual reports on
local fishing advisories and mercury contamination to alert the public to
problems that may be occurring in their area.
Being exposed to mercury can harm the
brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, and immune system of all people – especially when
exposed to higher-levels. While occasional exposure to fish tainted with mercury
is unlikely to cause health problems in healthy adults, those who work daily
with the substance – either in manufacturing or disposal – need to take safety
precautions.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Mercury is a hazardous substance and needs to be treated as such in all
manufacturing and disposal operations. If your business is involved in mercury,
make it your business to keep your employees and the environment safe.
Hazardous Waste Management for Small Businesses
Posted on
May 16, 2012
Are you a small business owner who
generates small amounts of hazardous waste? The EPA has issued a manual to
assist you with regulations for hazardous waste management that apply to
businesses of your size. Federal and state waste regulations can often be
difficult to understand, but compliance is essential. However, generators of
small amounts of hazardous waste often have different policies to follow than
those businesses generating significant amounts.
This manual, which can be located on the
EPA’s website, helps you to understand your responsibilities. While it is not a
substitute for the actual laws and regulations, it’s a great place to start to
develop and understanding of what you need to do with the amount of hazardous
waste you generate.
Generators of hazardous waste are
classified into three categories based on the total amount of waste produced
each year. Most small businesses would be classified in the small quantity
category and conditionally exempt from certain regulations. However, the size of
the business and total amount of hazardous waste produce is never an excuse for
not complying with the regulations! Failure to do so can result in fines and
possible legal action.
While the manual provides thorough details
about federal regulations as they apply to small businesses, business owners are
also required to comply with state and local regulations. If you are producing
small quantities of hazardous materials, be sure to contact your state’s
environmental protection agency to ensure that your disposal and waste
management techniques are approved and that you’re following good environmental
practices.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Whether you’re a large producer of hazardous waste or a small one, complying
with regulations for management and disposal is essential – not just for
protecting the environment, but for protecting the reputation of your business!
Regulations for Heating Oil Tanks
Posted on
May 15, 2012
If you’re in the business of demolition,
deconstruction, or property rehabilitation, it’s important to be aware of the
federal and state regulations concerning heating oil tanks. Tanks can be for
many different grades of heating oil – ranging from numbers 1 through 6 and
including both heavy and light designations. Diesel and kerosene are also
considered a heating oil when used for that specific purpose. The use of the oil
is not limited to heating only but all forms of power generation.
When undertaking a project involving
heating oil tanks, it’s essential to contact your local or state environmental
agency to obtain specific information about handling, removal, or repair.
Failure to properly comply with regulations can result in fines, legal problems,
and environmental destruction.
The EPA provides a flow chart to help
determine if the heating oil tanks qualify for exemptions under federal
guidelines. The main determining factors involve if the contents are consumed in
the same place as they are stored and if the heating oil stored is used for fuel
purposes. However, these guidelines do not override state and local laws, so
it’s essential you fully understand what is required of both.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Heating oil tanks can degrade over time and cause significant environmental
problems as the oil leeches into the ground and water systems. Be in the know
about state and federal regulations so that your project is in full compliance!
Sustainable Communities Resources
Posted on
May 14, 2012
If you’re a local government official
wanting to know more about making your community a more sustainable one, check
out the resources available on the EPA’s website for the Partnership for
Sustainable Communities. This partnership is a collaborative effort between the
EPA and the Departments for Housing and Transportation and its goal is to help
communities of all sizes improve transportation choices, affordable green
housing, and sustainable growth.
One of the benefits is access to
information about greenhouse gasses and strategies for how municipalities can
reduce emissions. All communities can benefit greatly in economic,
environmental, and health areas when appropriately addressing greenhouse gasses
as reducing emissions is an important part of all aspects of local government
including energy usage, transportation, community planning, and waste
management.
The resources are designed with government
policy makers, such as mayors, council members, city planners, planning
organizations, and private and nonprofit partners, in mind and they can assist
each group with information to help them determine which sustainable strategies
will be most effective for their communities. Information includes topics on
benefits, planning, involving stakeholders, considerations for policy, costs and
opportunities, and examples.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Be a leader in your community by enhancing and improving your sustainable
practices. You’ll make a better place to live for your family and all those who
live and work there as well.
Recycling Asphalt Shingles
Posted on
May 11, 2012
If you’re in the roofing, construction, or
demolition business, making a plan to recycle asphalt shingles can help to save
you money while reducing disposal costs for landfill dumping.
Before you begin your shingle recycling
plan, take some time to organize and ensure that you have a clean supply. Waste
materials should ideally be separated into different reuse and recycling
categories for greatest ease. However, some facilities will accept mixed
materials containing a variety of roofing waste. Regardless of which plan you
implement, you must be aware and ensure that all materials brought to your
recycling facility are free of asbestos.
Some states and municipalities do require
that asbestos testing be performed on waste construction materials so be aware
of your local regulations and plan accordingly to avoid fines and penalties. If
your business is in a state or county requiring this testing, it may be more
cost-effective and timely is establish your own certified “lab” for testing and
detection of this hazardous material. This allows you to reduce costs for
outside testing and actively manage your waste and recycling streams.
Information about establishing a certified asbestos testing facility can be
obtain through your local environmental protection and hazardous waste office.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Asphalt Shingles have great recycling properties and are a valuable commodity
even after they’ve exhausted their lifetime on a roof.
Dumpster Dollars
Posted on
May 10, 2012
Are you throwing dollars away with every
dumpster load? Did you know that it might be less work and less expensive to
recycle and reuse your jobsite waste than disposing of all of it in a landfill?
How can you determine if this is right for your business? Ask yourself these
questions:
§
Are the construction materials in use or being generated at the
jobsite ideal for re-use and recycling?
§
What quantities of waste materials are being generated?
§
Do you have prior disposal receipts to help gauge the value of
current and future projects?
§
Does your project include unique, but reusable items such as
carpeting, plastic, ceiling tiles, asphalt roofing, or paint?
Once you’ve decided on the effectiveness of
reusing and recycling jobsite waste materials, a diversion and removal plan
needs to be put in place. Fortunately, there are several options to choose from.
1.
Salvage companies can be brought in to remove any and all
materials with resale or reuse value.
2.
If you separate recyclables, a hauler can be brought in to remove
to a recycling facility.
3.
If separating materials at the jobsite isn’t possible, a hauler
can be contracted for delivery and sorting at a recycling facility.
4.
Depending on the jobsite size you may wish to haul your own
recycling and reusable materials – thus increasing your profit and return.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
While every jobsite will generate some waste that needs to be disposed of in a
landfill, take a look at the contents of your dumpster – do you see potential
“dollars” waiting for you to reuse and recycle them?
Cut Costs With Deconstruction
Posted on
May 9, 2012
Did you know that salvage and
deconstruction can be more cost effective for your business than demolition?
With demolition, almost all building materials are destroyed and removed as
waste material. However, by combining salvage with deconstruction, a building is
disassembled which allows for all valuable or re-usable materials to be
recovered.
When your business utilizes deconstruction
and salvage practices for a demolition job, it’s an effective way to reduce
costs and increase your profit margin. The secret to successful deconstruction
and salvage is to fully understand the scope of the project first and then
identify the best techniques to reclaim as much valuable material as possible.
Why should you be considering
deconstruction and salvage? Here are a few benefits:
1.
reduces or eliminates the costs to dispose of demolition debris
2.
when salvage companies remove materials from the jobsite it
reduces or eliminates transportation costs
3.
increase profit by selling materials that have been recovered or
by re-using the materials onsite
4.
necessary for obtaining green building certification
What you need to do before you start
deconstruction and salvage on a project:
§
Identify your salvage company and determine if a separate
subcontractor for deconstruction is needed or if you’ll train your own team.
§
Develop your list of materials that will be salvaged and
disposed.
§
Identify interested businesses or individual buyers for the
recovered materials.
§
Determine which materials can be recycled – such as metal
supports, clean wood, and piping.
§
Know where the jobsite materials go when they are removed and
require receipts from all subcontractors indicating proper disposal. This will
help you to avoid fines for illegal dumping.
WasteCare Wants You to
Remember:
Deconstruction and salvage can be a great service your company offers. Not only
can it increase your profit but it can help the environment as well!
Managing Construction Recycling
Posted on
May 8, 2012
Starting a construction-site recycling plan
for your business is a great way to save money and help to preserve the
environment. But in order to be successful you need to make sure that you’re
prepared for difficulties and have solutions in place. Here are a few things to
keep in mind for when challenges appear:
1) You need a manager to oversee the
responsibility. It’s important that someone be a designated the go-to authority
in the recycling plan as they will be responsible for informing subcontractors,
crew, and other employees of the expectations. This person will need to
supervise the efforts to ensure that loads of recycling materials do not become
contaminated.
2) Inform your sub-contractors of your
recycling program and through your hiring arrangement, require them to recycle
their materials as well.
3) Establish adequate space for recycling.
Create a space within the job-site for storing recycling bins and storing
building materials that has been salvaged.
4) Effectively communicate the recycling
plan. Make sure information is provided frequently and in a variety of locations
to remind all those working on the site.
5) Designate how materials should be
separated, how often they will be collected, who will be responsible for
delivering them to the appropriate facilities.
6) Develop strategies to avoid
contamination of recycling bins by clearly labeling bins and posting lists of
appropriate materials for each. Monitor bins regularly to verify that rules are
being followed and provide feedback to all crew, subcontractors, and employees
on their efforts.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Launching a job-site recycling program may take a little effort at first but in
no time it will become a regular part of each job-site plan!
Ways to Reduce Jobsite Waste
Posted on
May 7, 2012
Preventing and eliminating waste on the
jobsite reduces both your disposal and new materials costs. These are two
important areas that shouldn’t be overlooked as they effect your bottom line!
Prevention begins at the initial stages of
the project when it is essential to talk with both the client and the designer
to choose the appropriate building materials. At this time waste management
strategies and goals for the job site can be established and detailed.
A few of the basic strategies include:
working with suppliers who buy back unused materials at the close of the
project, requesting that materials be delivered in reusable containers, ensure
that storage practices keep materials safe from damage and adverse weather
conditions, purchasing pre-owned, high quality materials or materials that come
with minimal packaging, and not over-ordering amounts to materials that cannot
be returned.
WasteCare Wants You to
Remember:
A little advance planning to reduce jobsite waste at the start of a project can
save your business big time – both in money saved, reduced environmental impact,
and increased client satisfaction!
New Life for Polystyrene
Posted on
May 4, 2012
Whether you’re at work or at home, chances
are you’ve ordered a product that was shipped using polystyrene – commonly
referred to as “packing peanuts”. These soft cushions, which are designed to
prevent damage to goods during the shipping process, take hundreds of years to
disintegrate, so recycling them is of the utmost importance.
Here are a few ideas for what to do with
the “peanuts” the next time they arrive.
1) Store them and reuse the next time you
need to ship a package or put materials in a box for storage.
2) When you’re ordering your product, ask
if it can be packed using an alternate material such as shredded paper. Some
companies might not advertise this, but it’s worth asking for.
3) Try to recycle them through your local
transfer station or waste removal company. Some places, such as Mailboxes, Etc.
do accept them so it’s worth asking around.
4) Use the peanuts in lieu of gravel in the
base of potted plants. It’s works just as effectively for drainage but will
weigh considerably less!
5) Donate! Your community may have a local
reuse center designed to provide teachers, schools, non-profits, and individuals
access to low-cost or free business and recreational items.
WasteCare Wants You to
Remember:
The next time polystyrene arrives in your office or house, don’t leave the
peanuts for the trash! Take a moment and think about how going green can save
you, or others, some “green”.
A Greener, Cleaner Business Environment
Posted on
May 3, 2012
Is your business trying to implement more
environmentally friendly practices for the workplace? Many of the same
strategies you might use at home (recycling bins, reducing energy consumption…)
are also applicable to the office. How many of these tips have you considered?
1.
If you offer employees a break-room or a location to store and
heat food, make sure you’re using Energy Star. These energy effective appliances
will save you money throughout their lifetime with little extra purchase cost.
2.
What’s the temperature? Many offices are over-cooled in the
summer and over-heated in the winter. Unless a specific temperature is required
for equipment, encourage employees to open windows for fresh air when the
weather is warmer and limit the use of air conditioning.
3.
Get ideas from other businesses or join a Green Business group!
Learn about what other businesses are doing to save money and conserve
resources. Topics such as ride-sharing, car-pooling, public transportation
benefits, and bulk-buying may be feasible for your business to do independently
or in collaboration with others.
WasteCare Wants You to Remember:
Energy and waste cost your business money. Incentivize your employees to come up
with ways to cut back and reward them when the bottom line increases – the
environment and your workers will be happier because of it!
A Cleaner Environment
Posted on
May 2, 2012
The United States EPA offers an innovate
new resource to help businesses, individuals, or purchasing representatives
purchase high performing, cost friendly, environmentally -safe cleaning supplies
and products.
This program, Design for the Environment,
labels approved products which can then be found through traditional and on-line
stores. Products are also listed on the EPA’s website along with information
about the manufacturer. The website allows you to sort through the list
depending on your cleaning and product needs. Products include both those
appropriate for institutional as well as domestic use.
Products with the Design for the
Environment label have met a stringent review process for every ingredient
included. Purchasers can feel safe and trust that they are making a smarter and
safer, but equally effective, choice for cleaning than using harsh, toxic
chemicals.
Design for the Environment also accepts new
products for review. If you’re business is involved in environmentally-safe
cleaning products, participating in the approval process will allow you to
display their logo and help your brand achieve greater credibility.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Environmentally-safe cleaning products can be equally as tough on dirt, grease,
and grime as their hazardous counterparts. Make the safe more for your
employees, family, and the environment and make the switch to safer
alternatives!
Recycling Electronics
Posted on
May 1, 2012
If your business is in the electronics
sector, it may be worth obtaining your certification as an e-Steward or in
Responsible Recycling Practices through the US EPA. These two certifications are
granted through the EPA by an outside auditor to show consumers and individual
recyclers that your business upholds national safety for e-recycling standards.
From a consumer’s perspective, here are
just a few of the benefits of obtaining certification and following
best-practices in the management of electronics recycling:
§
Reducing environmental and health impacts that can occur when
e-wate is improperly recycled;
§
the collection of electronics increases the availability of
devices to those in need or for non-profit organizations;
§
the components from electronic devices can be reused thus
reducing the need for increased mining of raw materials and metals.
Certification programs focus on fully
adhering to environmental standards and require participating businesses to
completely remove and destroy all data on electronics left for recycling. These
program also require that businesses also ensure good practices in the areas of
worker health and safety practices when handling all e-waste.
From the business view, consumers have a
greater level of trust toward certified e-recyclers as they have met the high
standards for safety and management as outlined by the EPA. This can contribute
to individuals choosing to patronize your business over another who is without
the certification distinction.
WasteCare
Wants You to Remember:
Certification can help your business distinguish itself from others and provides
a value-added benefit from the consumer’s perspective. This can not only help
you to increase and grow your business but contribute to good environmental
practices.
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