INFORMATION 11-07-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ENERGY, WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT T • Monitor the level of #ill in a given period of time to determine the necessity of the current frequency. of pick-ups. If not nearly full when picked-up, revise the schedule to reduce the pick-up frequency accordingly to .maximize the fill level each time. This action is necessary after implementing recycling since there will be less in the general waste stream. At no cost, excluding labor, the payback would be immediate. • Evaluate whether use of the next size larger dumpster will allow less frequent pick-ups. Also, consider' contracting for "on demand" or "as needed" pick-ups when the dumpster is full. Good for materials or containers that accumulate or fill slowly. This should yield a monthly savings at little or no cost and the payback would be immediate._ • Consider leasing or purchasing a small compactor to reduce the volume of waste. Although this won't reduce trash weight, it will greatly reduce the frequency of pulls thus reducing the trash hauling cost. 2. Cardboard & ®ffice Paper • Consider ways to reduce use of corrugated cardboard. Replace your company's shipping containers with reusable tubs or with shipping bags.. Ask your suppliers to do the same. Paper and paperboard make up the largest single component of our national waste stream (32%). Of that, corrugated cardboard is the most prevalent paper material by far. It is nearly 3 times as prevalent as the next most prevalent paper material, newspaper. • Separate and recycle old corrugated cardboard (OCC). To find markets for this recyclable material, consult the MPCA Recycling Market Directory wvrw.pca,state.mn.usJ Consider requiring a revenue share with your recycler for this material • Establish office policies to reduce the amount of paper that is used in your workplace. Include such things as 1 inch margins and doubled-sided printing for all documents and correspondence. Set copier/printers to default to duplex. If your copier has a print release function or mail boxes whereby employees release the print job when get to the machine, use these. Print release functions can reduce paper use by 20%. . • Collect and recycle white office paper and mixed papers. White paper and mixed paper, properly baled, can be sold to create a revenue stream (clean bales of vvhite :paper sell fora premium: price). Consult the MPCA: www.pca.state.mn.usl -for sources to `recycle paper and cardboard. If paper and corrugated cardboard a"re not sold; hey canbe picked up~at lower-cost than general. waste. While there will be an initiate"cost to provide ' recycling waste receptacles and an ongoing cost forcleaning crew time, this recommendation appears worthy. of evaluation to determine whether the potential payback time will be worth proceeding. 3. Solid Waste -- MisceNaneous • Identify the waste items disposed of in dumpsters and determine which are recyclable. More may be recyclable than you think. To find markets for materials, consult the MPCA Recycling Markets Directory at: www. pca. state. m n. ust • Separate/collect and recycle any recyclable material. Determine the volume or weight of recyclable materials so that specific information can be provided to recycling companies to assist in determining the feasibility of recycling efforts. • Consider replacing paper hand towel dispensers in all restrooms with electric air dryers to reduce solid waste.. • Provide reusable options for kitchens, cafeterias, break-rooms. • Establish partnerships_with nearby schools, government facilities, andlor businesses to combine recycling,. `efforts. Recycling economics'are volume sensitive. The potential for and the value of recycling increase if volumes of recyclable wastes can be increased • Capture and reuse office supplies. Hold occasional "office clean outs" and capture all folders, binders, paper clips, etc. for restocking in central ofFce supply area. • Depressurize and flatten empty aerosol cans containing non-hazardous contents and dispose of them as scrap metal. To find markets for this recyclable material, consult the MPCA recycling market directory www. oca.state. mn. usl • Periodically, or at contract renewal time, request competitive bids from other local trash haulers. Check your hauler contract for renewal date to be sure you have time to seek other bids prior to automatic renewal of contract. Clients can contact the MPCA about contract elements that can yield better value from waste/recycling contracts. --~----- Pagel of 9'---------------