Table of Contents

Award Winners

The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year Warner Bros. Studios Facilities (Honorable Mention) Quad/Graphics The DMA Robert Rodale Environmental Mailer of the Year Real Goods Trading Company Model Recycler Leanne Meyer, Recycling Coordinator, United States Postal Service of Lansing, Michigan Buy Recycled General Services Agency of Alameda County, California Clean Your Files Day State of Iowa, Departments of General Services and Natural Resources Closed Loop Recycling United States Postal Service Commercial Recyciing Programs City of Allentown, Pennsylvania Employee Education and Outreach City of Los Angeles, California Environmental Responsibility United States Postal Service Improved Recycling Rates Canon U.S.A., Inc. Public Outreach City of Burbank, California City of Louisville, Kentucky

Award Applicants

AlliedSignal Boise Cascade St. Helens’ Paper Mill Bowie State University, ARAhMRK Campus Services Chevron Real Estate Management Company City of Allentown, Pennsylvania City of Bloomington, Indiana City of Fountain Valley, California City of Irving, Texas City of San Jose, California City of Visalia, California Horizon Air Towson University, ARAMARK Campus Services United States Postal Service Introduction ~~ ~

The National Ofice Paper Recycling The Recycling at Work Awards were There is something to be learned from Project has evolved since its founding designed to not only recognize the govern- every recycling program highlighted in this in 1990 to reflect a new emphasis, the ment entities, organizations and businesses publication. From motivational public out- Recycling at Work Campaign. As the whose leadership has ensured the success of reach campaigns to fruithl Clean Your Files program has grown to encompass new workplace recycling nationwide, but also to Day programs, all demonstrate the dedica- workplace recycling issues, so have the highlight these achievements as inspiration tion, cooperation and creativity that com- Annual Recycling at Work Awards grown for others. It is our intention in this publi- bine to make workplace recycling success- in 1998 to encompass the DMA Robert cation to celebrate and recognize these suc- ful. Please call the Recycling at Work Rodale Environmental Leadership Awards cesses. The following pages are dedicated Campaign at (202) 223-3088 with ques- creating new categories and facilitating to presenting the innovations and accom- tions and comments, and thank you for broader participation. plishments of the entrants in the 1998 recycling! Recycling at Work Awards Program.

Recycling at Work, a Campaign of the National Ofice Paper Recycling Project is. .. a collaborative effort by leaders in the public and private sector to establish an office recycling ethic in America. The Project’s goal is to maximize recycling and minimize disposal of ofice paper. Project Sta8

David Gatton, Managing Director Sharon Oxley, Director Lisa Subick, Program Manager Imoni Washington, Research Associate Tara Widholm, Project Assistant

Sponsoring Members of Recycling ut Work PrincZpal Benefactors:

Boise Cascade National Conference of State Legislatures Browning-Ferris Industries National League of Cities Canon U.S.A., Inc. National Wildlife Federation The Document Company Xerox Union Camp Corporation Fort James Corporation United State Conference of Mayors Hewlett-Packard Company United States Postal Service Lexmark International, Inc. Waste Management, Inc. Moore Document Solutions Weyerhaeuser Company National Association of Counties

National Sponsor:

The Direct Marketing Association Award Winners

The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year Award Winner: Warner Bros. Studios Facilities

The Warner Bros. Studios Facilities, There has also been a remarkable in- Through the “Second Time Around located in Burbank, California, cover crease in the diversion of materials that community reuse program, materials are approximately 108 acres, and employ were previously not recovered, including donated for reuse by matching available between 3,500 and 5,000 people during laser toner cartridges, office equipment, goods with the needs of over 800 non- peak production. Like a small city, the computers, film and video tape, carpet profit organizations and schools. Examples studio has its own fire department, nxd- and cloth scraps, furniture, and food dona- of donations include paint to anti-graffiti ical team, construction, electric, plumbing, tions. And perhaps the most significant groups, furniture and carpeting to social metal, wood, and print shops, photo-lab, statistic is the comparison of the total and community agencies, computers and camera, sound, make-up, and art depart- waste generated by the studio in 1991 electronic equipment to schools, colored ments - all utilizing a variety of materials and 1997. The comparison shows an paper cuttings from the print-shop to a and generating a diverse waste stream. increase of only 5%, which is very small children’s museum. Even used office sup- Warner Bros. has made a commitment in light of the studio’s tremendous growth plies such as manila folders, binders and to implementing a number of progressive in population and production activities. outdated stationery find a home. In addi- waste reduction, reuse/donation, recycling Source reduction and reuse are the fore- tion, the studio cafeteria and kitchen do- and educational programs in order to most endeavors at the Studios. For exam- nate food on a daily basis through a local conserve resources, benefit the economy ple, wood, which formerly comprised food bank. In 1997 the “Second Time A- and assist the local community in the nearly 35% of the waste stream, now rep- round program diverted 171,000 pounds course of doing business. Since the incep- resents about 15% of the waste stream, of material from landfill. tion of its recycling programs in 1990, due to an increased use of steel platforms Over the last five years, Warner Bros.’ Warner Bros. has increased its waste and scaffolding, an aggressive recovery of recycling program has been collecting nine reduction rate six-fold, from less than plywood and beams for reuse, and an grades of paper, all beverage containers, 7 percent to a current diversion rate of on-going stage set reuse program by televi- toner cartridges, film, video and audio more than 40 percent. When calculated sion shows. Smaller pieces of discarded cassettes, yard trimmings, and all metals. according to AB939, an additional credit dimensional lumber are diverted to high- In permanent construction, C&D recov- for co-generation (wood for fuel) raises school wood-shop classes, garden projects ery is a requisite of all contractors. All the diversion rate to 49 percent. and toy and furniture manufacturers. recovery is tracked by material on a mon- Some of the highlights of this increased What remains is ground-up for soil thly basis, and in 1997, the average mon- diversion rate include an 870% increase amendment and co-generation. thly recovery was 220 tons, an increase of in th: recovery of cardboard from 13 tons 27% over 1995. In addition, the current to 113 tons, a 485% increase in recovery waste hauler sorts the remaining mixed of beverage containers (aluminum, glass waste stream, recovering an additional 10 & plastic bottles) from 4,540 pounds to to 13%. In several office buildings, where 22,000 pounds, and a 42 1% increase no set construction materials are generat- in the recovery of wood from 185 tons ed, the recycling rate has reached 62%. to 782 tons.

5 Warner Bros. understands that to All of the copier paper purchased is The Recycling & Environmental complete the recycling equation, we must of recycled paper with 50% total recycled Initiatives Department maintains an edu- be helping to further the markets for these and 25% post-consumer content (P.c.c.). cational resource library and distributes materials by buying products with recycled No “virgin” copier paper is available. In information, including the department’s content. In order to do so, the Studio’s the past, company letterhead consisted newsletter, Recycling Here & Now, house-

Recycling Department authored a compa- of 50% total recycled and 15% P.C.C. It hold hazardous waste collection schedules

nywide Environmental Purchasing Policy, has recently been increased to 30% P.C.C. and regional recycling drop-off locations which was instituted in 1993, and has Colored paper, script covers, file folders, and flyers on waste prevention, recycling been distributed to all divisions of the hanging file folders, storage boxes, en- and composting. New employee orienta- company. The policy begins by defining velopes, adding machine rolls, post-it tion includes instruction on the WB the criteria for identifying environmentally notes, pencils, remanufactured toner car- recycling and waste reduction policies, a preferred products. These include high tridges, and a host of other office supplies ceramic mug and a desk-side recycling post-consumer recycled content, recycla- all have recycled content. All newsletters bin. The Recycling & Environmental bility, durability/reusability, reduced pack- and internal promotional materials are Initiatives Department also organizes aging, and decreased use of toxic chemicals printed on recycled paper, ranging from employee involvement in programs such in manufacturing (such as chlorine and 10% P.C.C. to 100% P.C.C. All of our as Coastal Clean-up Day, tree plantings, CFCs). It also provides instructions for janitorial paper supplies contain 90-95% and holds an annual Earth Day event. buyers who are faced with specifying an P.c.c., and our cafeteria napkins are non- Warner Bros.’ commitment goes beyond environmentally preferred product that bleached, 95% P.C.C. the boundaries of the workplace and might be more expensive, and allows price Other items purchased include 100% encourages employees to adopt this envi- preferences in some cases. P.C.C. plastic automobile parking stops, ronmental awareness in their home. In selecting vendors, we seek a commit- re-refined oil for our entire vehicle fleet, ment to supply and increase the availabili- and plastic lumber truck stakes for pro- ty of environmentally sound products, a duction vehicles. In some building renova- willingness to improve products and go tion projects we have used carpeting made beyond minimum standards, flexibility of 100% PET, drywall, sub-flooring and in reducing packaging and environmental- flooring materials with recycled content, ly sound practices in manufacturing. insulation materials, and bathroom parti- In some cases we have been successful in tions. We are continually researching new changing the way that a product is pack- products, especially for renovation and aged, or shipped, or even in helping the construction projects. manufacturer recycle disposable compo- In order to measure progress, purchases nents of their product. are tracked on monthly reports, and a computerized purchasing system is being designed to tag all environmental purchas- es. We are members of the Recycled Paper Coalition, and share our experiences and reports with the group in order to push the market. The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year Honorable Mention: QuadGruphics

Environmental Commitment Purchase of Recycled Content Products Tracking Results of Recycling and Buy Quad/Graphics’ philosophy is to Quad/Graphics promotes the purchase Recycled Programs practice enlightened environmentalism of recycled content products when price Quad/Graphics utilizes computerized in every aspect of our business. Our goal, and quality are not compromised. 1997 tracking to classify recycled materials, gauge “Taking Better Care of Our World” , has purchases include ofice supplies and print- efficiencies and maintain the highest level been a way of life that has influenced the ing papers ($18 million), tissue products of material recovery possible. Environmen- company since its founding. Making the ($269,000), cardboard packaging ($1.38 tal guidelines guide purchases of recycled best possible use of all resources and mini- million), building products ($240,000) content products that are tracked in our mizing environmental impacts are inher- and plastic strapping and metal banding electronic purchase order system. ent to our strategy for environmental ($865,000). The purchase of 16,128 pallets stewardship. Our environmental program made with 83% recycled plastic (287,434 IMOVatiVe Market Development for is based on three tenants: resource effi- pounds) for our automated storage retrieval Recyclables ciency, partnerships and communica- system is another example of our commit- Enviro/Tech, a division of Quad/Gra- tiodeducation. ment to buy recycled. phics, compression molds wood shredded FinallF in 1996 Quad/Graphics close loop by our recycling department into pressed Recycling Rate recycled 1,478,644 pounds of PETE strap- wood products. Wood fiber is obtained In 1996, Quad/Graphics recycled ping for remanufacture and reuse. from unrepairable pallets and scrap. The 96.5% of all solid materials. This repre- process is able to reuse over 4,000 tons of sents 164,290 tons of paper, wood, plas- fiber per year. Partnering with vendors and tics, metals and glass. Quad/Graphics also suppliers is standard protocol to seek solu- recycles liquids. In 1996, this included tions for recycling and reusing waste from 20,000 gallons of oil, 1,300 gallons of packaging components. Examples include coolant, 110,000 pounds of ink and paper roll cores (1,409,800 pounds) and 53,311,695 pounds of solvent. wood core plugs (386,600 pounds), in 1996. Be a Gru R... Recycle Stuff! Employee Education Community Involvement Quad's environmental message is Quad/Graphics recycled two aban- spread company-wide and reinforced in doned manufacturing plants totaling classroom and on-the-job training. Gruff, more than 900,000 square feet into our environmental mascot and spokesgoat, high-performance workplaces which is a multimedia professional, penning arti- utilized existing infrastructure. This elim- cles on recycling for the QuadKommuni- inated the need for raw materials to con- ty News. Gruff also appears on the World struct new buildings and support green- Wide Web (http://www.qg.com) and an- field development. swers environmental questions via e-mail Quad/Graphics partners with Protect ([email protected]). the Planet, a vocational program for men- tally challenged individuals, to recycle Office Equipment and Toner Cartridge plastics. In 1996, 31,200 pounds of plas- Recycling tic were condensed and cleaned at Protect Over 90% (1000) of all toner cartridges the Planet. were collected and returned to the manu- Project Read promotes literacy in facturer for recharging in 1997. Over 30 schools and libraries with the unused remanufactured copiers have been pur- overruns of magazines printed at Quad/ chased to date. In addition, over 350 Graphics. In 1997, employee volunteers work stations (cubicle dividers, shelving, cartoned 132,000 magazines donated by cabinets, chairs and desk tops) have been our clients. refurbished in-house and re-installed in Reusable home construction materials, ofice areas. from company remodeling, are donated to HomeSource, a nonprofit organization that supplies them to low-income recipi- ents and community organizations for restoration projects.

8 The DMA Robert Rodale Environmental Mailer of the Year Award Winner: Real Goods Trading Corporation

Real Goods Company’s Responsible Mailing Practices Packing Material and Packagirig mission statement: Real Goods’ mailing practices meet or Our philosophy at Real Goods is re- “Through our products, publications exceed all of the recommendations made flected in our materials: and educational demonstrations, Real by the Direct Marketing Association’s Last year, we shipped out 100% of our Goods promotes and inspires an environ- Corporate Environmental Stewardship orders in reusable, recyclable, biodegrad- mentally healthy and sustainable future.” Challenge. These practices include: able, or compostable packaging. Each year, our EcoDesk conducts a Only first edition catalogs are All of our stores used 100% reusable, formal environmental audit of Real Goods’ sent to many customers. recyclable, biodegradable or compostable Company policy and practices to establish Catalogs are routinely put into each paper bags or cardboard boxes. This a baseline of performance against which outgoing shipment. Sales from these was a 29% increase from the previous future activities can be measured. This catalogs have proven to generally exceed year, reaching our goal of 100%. has allowed the company to look at any those &om regular lists, outweighing the All packing material used within areas of the business that need improve- possible waste factor. our boxes is either reused from other ment, and has made more visible those Real Goods customers are able to select sources or is new material made from areas where the company is creating stan- which type of catalogs they wish to receive. recycled newsprint. dards of environmental excellence and A do-not-rent list is maintained for cus- It is all recyclable. The majority of sustainability. tomers not wanting their names rented. this material is recycled paper shreds A do-not-mail list is maintained for that come from in-house, local busi- those who do not wish to receive catalogs. nesses and nearby County offices. The DMA Preference Service is used to benefits of this system are twofold: screen house and prospect lists before We are able to divert incredible every mailing. amounts of material destined for the USPS National Change of Address landfill, while providing ourselves data is obtained at least twice per year with necessary packing material. to update address files. We also communicate actively with USPS CASS-certified sohare is used all our suppliers to convince them to to ZIPt4 code all addresses and to stan- make their packing materials consistent dardize addresses. with our standards. Duplicate names are eliminated from house and prospect lists by merge/purge. Test mailings are sent to small samples of new prospect lists. We specify that companies who rent our house lists screen the names through DMA’s Mail Preference Service. We specify that companies who rent our house lists screen the names through the USPS National Change of Address. We specify that the companies who rent our house lists maintain their own do-not-rent and do-not-mail in-house name suppression lists. Name Suppression Using Recycled Paper Making Mail Recyclable Every Real Goods order form includes Consistent with the mission of our Our customer communications and the address of the Dh4A as the source for company, Real Goods prints all of its catalogs are recyclable. We use exclusively name suppression from all mailing lists. materials on recycled papers with non- soy-based ink and non-toxic adhesives. We ask to be notified if the customer does toxic soy-based inks. We continually seek Quite frankly, our customers wouldn’t not want us to provide their name to other to exempli@ the practices we are advocat- tolerate less. One of our publications, organizations. Going one step further, we ing for our customers. the Real Goods News, clearly reflects the also invite our customers to tell us if they The company recently changed its rapport we enjoy with our customers, are receiving our materials too frequently. in-house letterhead from 60% recycled and their strong commitment to having “You get to choose how often you’ll content with 30% post-consumer waste Real Goods practice what it preaches. go to the store. Shouldn’t you get to to 100%/100% post-consumer content. Specifically, it is the task of our choose how often you’ll get a catalog?” We also switched from 50%/10% EcoDesk Coordinator to communicate Finally, we only provide our mailing copy paper, and computer paper to to our customers in-house practices list to organizations that we consider to be 100% post-consumer recycled paper. regarding material conservation, and how environmentally and socially responsible, Real Goods customer catalogs are to recycle particular packing materials. thereby directly contributing to the reduc- printed on recycled paper, with varying This is primarily done through the Real tion of unnecessarylunwanted solicitations. amounts of post-consumer content, Goods News and through providing infor- using the highest percentage possible mative package inserts when appropriate. that allows us to maintain the integrity of the publication. We keep ourselves as informed as possible on changes occurring in the paper market so that we can purchase materials consistent with our mission. The Earth Care division is among the nation’s leaders in promoting alter- natives to tree-based paper, such as kenaf fiber, hemp fiber, blue jeans, and even used dollar bills! Public Education Co-Publications include: Activities: Publications: A Place in the Sun: The Evolution Expositions and Conferences Real Goods communicates with its cus- of the Real Goods Solar Living Center Real Good's Solar Living Center. tomers through the following primary vehicles. by John Schaeffer Internal Company/Organization Each one includes significant efforts to edu- Hemp Horizons by John Roulac Programs cate the general public about the importance The Rammed Earth House by Packaging Specifications for of environmentally-sound living practices. David Easton Vendors/Manufacturers The Solar Living Sourcebook The Straw Bale House by Athena In-House Collection of Paper, The Real Goods News Swentzell Steen, Bill Steen, and David Plastics, Glass, Metals for Recycling Real Goods Renewables Catalog Bainbridge, with David Eisenberg Independent Builder: Designing Recycling of Food Waste Programs: and Building a House Your Own Way Our commitment to public education by Sam Clark is not cosmetic, it is an integral part of Real Goods makes available its techni- the way we believe in doing business. cal representatives for a wide variety of The Institute for Solar Living local functions relating to renewable Despite the vast array of books and energy and conservation. Representatives articles we have made available to the public regularly speak to school and community on environmentally sound life-styles, we did groups and have installed the world's first not feel that our efforts were sufficient. We complete solar system for the local Ukiah needed to find ways to reach the individual SunDays in the Park Concert Series, once who needs to see to believe, and who learns again demonstrating that solar does work! best through first-hand experience. The Institute began in 1992 with weekend work- shops. This year's program has changed to accommodate the hectic lifestyles of our cus- tomers by offering 1-day workshops on one to two weekends each month from March through October. The classes are held at Real Goods' Solar Living Center in Hopland, California, as well as in Berkeley, California. Demonstration Home Program This program was born out of the huge success of the first National Tour of Indepen- dent Homes. We've found that people want the opportunity to visit and learn from home- owners on an ongoing basis, rather than just one day a year. Demonstration homes are quite diverse in design, and not limited to "off-the-grid" homes, showcasing alternative building methods, passive solar techniques, non-toxic materials, and energy-efficient appliances, all as part of a sustainable lifestyle. Model Re,cycler ~ Award Winner: Ms. Leanne Meyer, Recycling Coordina-tor, United States Postal Service, Lansing MI

Ms. Leanne Meyer, Recycling Coordi- Implementing a program such as this Ms. Meyer has shown very capable nator for the Lansing Processing and did not occur immediately. A comprehen- leadership and has seized the recycling Distribution Center, Lansing MI, was sive waste reduction and recycling program opportunities in abundance at the Lansing instrumental in the P&DC achieving a emerged after a concentrated effort to P&DC. The Lansing P&DC serves as a recycling rate of 80%, and a waste reduc- educate the Postal employees and the local mail distribution point for approximately tion rate of approximately 75%, surpassing recycling markets was conducted. Ms. one million people through 143 Associate the 50% goal for waste reduction set forth Meyer began the recycling effort with an Post Offices and is the Main Post Office by the Postal Pollution Prevention Pro- initiative to recycle office paper from the of Lansing, MI. As the Main Post Office gram. Ms. Meyer, through a dedicated administrative offices at the Lansing P& for Lansing proper it has about 175 city effort, has introduced the concept of DC. Ms. Meyer, conducted a thorough mail delivery routes and 10 rural delivery “Resource Productivity” in the Lansing waste stream analysis to determine the routes. It is this mail delivery process that P&DC and the surrounding Associate generation location and volume of recy- has provided the opportunity for the com- offices. “Resource Productivity” is the clable materials. Upon completion of the prehensive program Ms. Meyer imple- utilization of present transportation, waste stream analysis Ms. Meyer assisted mented. equipment and personnel. Combined with the creation and education of a team Lansing P&DC processes about 1.2 with “Resource Conservation” this effort to assist her. million pieces of mail daily, a large por- has recycled approximately 1,000,000 In addition, she devised a collection tion of which is known as Standard Mail. pounds of material that was destined for method for each material. This collection About .02% of this Standard Mail has the landfill with an estimated $12,000 in method allowed for the aggregation of dif- been declared undeliverable by the carrier waste disposal cost saved yearly. This figure ferent materials within the normal routine because of non-existent and vacant ad- does not take into account the cost savings of the Processing and Distribution Center dresses, and because there was neither an achieved in the Associate offices. employees. Once the recycling plan was endorsement to forward nor a request that Ms. Meyer has implemented a program formulated and the collection method an address correction service be provided. that recognizes “Resource Conservation” as determined, the program was implement- Therefore this mail must be thrown away. the first step in pollution prevention and ed. With the placement of desk side recy- Each carrier generates anywhere from 1.5 environmental protection. “Resource Con- cle containers and an accompanying edu- to 2.3 tons of undeliverable Standard Mail servation” combined with “Resource Pro- cational program that provided informa- per year. It is this volume of undeliverable ductivity’’ provides a greater opportunity tion on the material that could be recy- Standard Mail that contributes immensely for continuous improvement as the re- cled, the administrative offices were the to the amount of waste being land-filled. cycling and waste reduction program is first to begin the program. The program Measures had to be taken to devise and expanded to attain a self imposed goal of has progressed internally to include mixed implement a collection method for this “zero waste”. paper, corrugated containers (OCC), material and to find markets for the mate- shrink wrap, glass, polystyrene, batteries, rials collected. pallets, ribbon and toner cartridges as well as rubber bands and padded mailing materials now being collected for reuse. To date, about 21 different products are collected for recycling or reuse through this comprehensive program. Ms. Meyer, as the Recycling Coordina- Ms. Meyer conducts an educational Ms. Meyer, is an active member of tor, now had the additional task of find- program at each Associate office before the National Recycling Coalition, the ing the needed market thrust upon her. the recycling program is implemented. Michigan Recycling Coalition, the Solid Through a series of meetings with the This educational program begins with Waste Association of North America different recycling processors in the local an overview of the Greater Michigan (SWANA), and is a Michigan Pollution area, a recycler was found that met the Performance Cluster program and then Prevention Partner and a charter member needs of the Lansing Processing and proceeds by describing the process of recy- of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Distribution Center. At these meetings, cling materials back to the Lansing “Waste Wise” program. Her affiliation Ms. Meyer voiced her desire to recycle at P&DC. By providing feedback on the with these diverse groups supports a more all Associate offices served by the Lansing volume and savings attained by the recy- comprehensive outreach program and Processing and Distribution Center. cling program to all ofices and employees positively effects continuous improvement The Success of the collection method through newsletters, bulletin boards and of the U.S. Postal Service’s model program Ms. Meyer had implemented internally stand-up talks, all employees have the overall. was enough to convince the new recycling opportunity to suggest methods to market in the viability of taking collected improve the program as it progresses. material from all offices to a central loca- The comprehensive “Resource tion, the Lansing P&DC. Again, based Conservation through Resource Produc- on the concept of “Resource Conserva- tivity” program implemented by Ms. tion” through “Resource Productivity”, Meyer has provided other opportunities Ms. Meyer began to establish a back haul for the Lansing P&DC. These opportuni- program for the recyclable commodities ties include the ability to suggest contract in each Associate office. language that is beneficial to the purchase Ms. Meyer’s program utilizes to the of recycled material and the elimination of fullest extent the resources that the Postal materials that are hazardous to the envi- Service already has in place. As the mail ronment. The central collection process is delivered to each associate office, the provides an opportunity for material such equipment used is normally returned as undeliverable samples to be collected empty to the Lansing P&DC Under Ms. and donated to various charities. The Meyer’s method, the transportation system Recycling Coordinator can utilize this now returns the equipment with recyclable process to develop markets for material material placed in it. The material in- that would otherwise enter the waste cludes mixed ofice paper, old corrugated stream at an individual office. containers (OCC) and the undeliverable Ms. Meyer’s process has led to “spin- Standard Mail (USM) to the central col- off” processes such as the unique “Recycle lection point at the Lansing P&DC. The for Sight and Sound program that was recyclables once aggregated at the central conducted jointly by the area Lions Club collection facility are either compacted International and the American Postal or baled for the local recycler. Utilization Workers Union (APWU). This effort of the present infrastructure has increased incorporated Ms. Meyer’s present program the “Resource Productivity” of the lJ.S. and was able to collect over 11,000 pairs Postal Service. of glasses that are much needed in Third World countries. “Resource Conservation through Resource Productivity”. Buy Recycled Award Winner: General Services Agency ofAlameda County, California

GSA is locally mandated to implement Over 82% of all copy paper purchased Another program component is track- a Recycled Product Purchase Preference in FY 96-97 contained recycled content, ing purchases with recycled content. Not Program (RPPPP)for the County and more than double the percentage of the only must the County track what is pur- its 11,000 employees. The Preference preceding year. For the first time, all County chased, but also what the comparison vir- Program allows the County a 10% price election material was printed on recycled gin price is in order to apply a price pref- preference for the purchase of recycled paper. The County print shop uses recycled erence. This information is compiled in content products. paper for 80-90% of County material and semi-annual reports that provide product Over the last six years, the County ad identifying logo. All available janitorial purchase information, comparison prices has steadily increased purchases of recycled paper contains recycled content, surpassing between virgin and recycled content pro- content products from $296,000 in FY the U.S. EPA guidelines. Last year, we ducts and percent differences in order to 91-92 to $2.6 million dollars in FY 96-97. exceeded a mandated purchasing goal (by receive reimbursement through program We have now spent over $6 million on January 1, 1995) by buying 58% ofall funds. This tracking system took months a long list of recycled content products. our paper as recycled (the goal was 50%). to produce. Several forms and procedures The recycled content products pur- To educate and increase purchases were modified. chased include: hospital pillows made of recycled content products, we targeted Today, the County tracks recycled prod- from old x-ray film, rubberized asphalt users and decision makers who buy prod- ucts purchased through vendor reports road materials made from old tires, recy- uct. Purchases of recycled office supplies with help from purchasing databases. We cled aggregate base, recycled plastic dramatically increased following a targeted encourage vendors to supply recycled (HDPE) traffic barricades, re-refined educational campaign. By redesigning the through modified bid specifications. A motor oil, bike racks, retread tires, re- County office supply catalog (advertising recycled content certification form is used cycled plastic lumber park benches and specially priced products) to boldly identi- with all purchasing agreements to certify waste receptacles, recycled rubber roof fy recycled products, dollars spent on recy- products that are made with post-con- walkway pads, recycled plastic roof “sleep- cled content office supplies dramatically sumer content. Office supplies are the ers”, recycled carpet (in the vinyl backing), increased and now exceeds 10% of the only products where price comparisons a variety of recycled content office sup- total contract expenditures. In addition, between virgin and recycled are not track- plies, copy and computer paper, print a nine-month promotion was organized, ed because comparisons are unfeasible shop paper, and janitorial paper supplies. sending samples of recycled content/source The RPPPP and program reports are Refurbished and remanufactured products reduction products to select County em- reviewed and supported by the Alameda purchased include toner cartridges, office ployees to further their awareness. County Source Reduction and Recycling furniture, and mattresses. GSA also writes a periodic newsletter, Board, which provides Alameda County the RecycLing Bulletin, sent to all employees GSA with reimbursement for the 10% to relate recycled product success stories price preference and other program funds. and recognize employees who purchase recycled. Buyers in the Purchasing De- partment are eligible for a “Green Award recognizing their monthly achievements toward recycled source products. This award has recently been expanded to include others outside of Purchasing. Clean Your Files Day Award Winner: The State of Iowa, Departments of General Services and Natural Resources

Background Objectives Outcomes The Iowa Departments of General To increase awareness of office paper In just five hours, state employees col- Services (DGS) and Natural Resources recycling and the recycling of other lected 54.4 tons of materials for recycling. (DNR) have worked cooperatively to man- material on the Capitol Complex. Governor Branstad showed his sup- age the office paper recycling program on To recognize DGS custodial staff and port of the state’s recycling program the capitol complex since 1989. As part of agency recycling coordinators for their by participating in a building walk the recycling program, recycling coordina- recycling services. through during the COYF event. tors were assigned for each state agency. To show the public that the state Governor Branstad hosted the During a waste audit conducted in 1995, government is cost and environmental- Governor’s Recognition and Award it was determined that despite the estab- ly conscious. Luncheon that featured reusable lished recycling program, approximately To encourage public and private sec- COYF lunch sacks given to attendees 30 percent of the complex’s landfilled tor organizations to sponsor similar as well as recycling games. waste stream consisted of recyclable paper. events and make a commitment to Governor Branstad presented one Education of individual employees is a key recycling at work. employee, who made the pledge to factor in maintaining a successll recycling recycle, an office gift set made of recy- program. By dedicating one day to focus Strategies cled content materials. Two trees were on office paper recycling, DGS and DNR Work with the existing partnership dedicated by Lieutenant Governor Joy could remind employees of the existing between DNR and DGS to fund and Coming to award the building that recycling program and decrease the amount coordinate the event. recycled the most paper per employee. of recyclable paper going to the landfill. Involve the Governor’s office to make Governor Branstad recognized those By sponsoring the 1997 Clean Out this a true “complex-wide” event. involved in the organization and execu- Your Files (COYF) event, 4,700 State of Involve private vendors and partners tion of the event and encouraged busi- Iowa Capitol Complex employees collect- for financial and technical assistance. ness and industry to start their own ed 54.4 tons of paper, cardboard, manuals Coordinate event on a building-by- office recycling programs. and books from their offices. State em- building basis, using agency recycling The COYF events were covered by ployees were recycling at a rate of 2 1,600 coordinators and custodial staff to edu- one major Iowa newspaper, two major Ibs per hour or 23.15 Ibs per person. In cate state employees and promote the Des Moines television stations, and just five hours, the State of Iowa received event across the complex. several major Iowa radio stations. approximately $2,200 in revenue for the Develop a “how to” education tool kit Educational materials, including the recycled materials collected and avoided for agency recycling coordinators. training video, are being used by the $1,600 in landfill fees. State employees National Office Paper Recycling Project pledged their support and participation for future Clean Your Files Day programs. by filling out pledge cards. In addition to the success the State has had with Clean Your Files Day, the Departments of General Services and Natural Resources successfully collected a number of materials through the man- dated recycling program including mixed office paper, books and magazines, card- board, computer materials, fluorescent tubes and ballast, toner cartridges, yard waste, pallets, telephone books, used oil, video tapes and other surplus materials. 15 M 1997 Recycling Rate Innovative Market Development for Office Equipment and Toner Cartridge During FY 1997, the capitol complex Recydables Recycling generated 3,452,339 Ibs of garbage. Of A waste sort was conducted in State agencies recycle used toner this total, 1,578,165 pounds were recy- January 1997 to determine the cartridges and buy toner back in a cled saving Iowa taxpayers $35,509 in amount of recyclables in the waste closed loop system. avoided landfill costs. stream and the quality of recyclables Surplus, out-dated, or damaged, Complex employees were recycling being collected and to identify any offke equipment is taken to the Iowa at a rate of 46% during FY 1997. materials that could be collected Prison Industry Surplus Store or the One hundred fifty-three electric hand for recycling in the future. Iowa Business and Education Connec- dryers were installed in 80 complex The separation of organics for com- tion where it is repaired and resold restrooms to eliminate a major waste posting is currently being researched as or given to schools and non-profit stream (paper towels) at the source. a result of a 1997 waste sort. organizations, Concrete and asphalt recycling are Purchase and Tracking of Recycled being investigated for inclusion in Community Involvement Content Products an upcoming construction project. Private vendors and partners have Iowa Executive Order 56 requires provided both financial and technical state agencies to purchase and use prod- Employee Education assistance for several recycling education ucts made fiom recycled materials. Each state agency has a recycling activities at the capitol complex. From January 1997 through coordinator to provide recycling educa- The capitol complex participated November 1997, 18 percent of the tion for agency employees. in America Recycles Day and the Iowa products purchased through the Iowa A recycling coordinator was hired Paper Please Campaign promoting the Department of General Services’ ofice for the capitol complex in 1996 to need to recycle paper and buy recycled. supply program were recycled products coordinate educational efforts. with a dollar value of $345,500. Newsletters, lobby displays, and Overall Environmental Responsibility banners are used to educate state Educate Iowans through speaking employees and building visitors on engagements, workshops and articles an on-going basis. of the waste reduction and recycling All capitol complex employees activities at the capitol complex. received a blue office-recycling con- Sponsor educational events such as tainer with instructions in 1997. Clean Out Your Files Day to encourage public and private sector organizations to sponsor similar events and make a commitment to recycling at work. Closed Loop Recyclinq ~ Awurd Winner: U.S. Postul Service

Affirmative Purchasing Program “Longer life” Mail Transport Equip- The Postal Service has recently par- The Postal Service is recognized as ment (MTE) utilizing recycled content ticipated in the Environmental Defense a national leader and innovator in its and recyclable plastics have replaced Fund’s Alliance for Environmental Affirmative Purchasing Program. Through limited use steel, pressed wood and Innovation’s Expedited Mail Packaging “Closing The Loop”, the Postal Service cardboard types. New hampers and Survey Report, sponsored by the EPA. has generated more than $8 Million in mail containers are recyclable and con- Overall, the Postal Service graded out revenue during FY’97 through its recycling tain 50 percent recycled material. More as the leader in Environmentally Pre- program, and it has purchased more than than four million plastic pallets are cur- ferable Expedited Mail Packaging. $160 Million in recycled content products rently in use, and over two million plas- The Postal Service also participated in FY’97. tic and trays have been purchased and in an Environmentally Preferable are in use. With an active program to Purchasing Conference in Baltimore, Among other accomplishments in replace old and defective pallets, trays, Maryland to discuss barriers vendors Affirmative Purchasing: sacks, etc., the Postal Service is commit- and procurement agents face when at- More than $ I20 Million was utilized ted to purchasing and placing the most tempting to purchase environmentally to purchase paper and paper products efficient and environmentally friendly friendly products. The event was spon- with recycled content. MTE in the field, and recycling MTE, sored by the Office of the Federal Recycled content paper and paper where feasible. Environmental Executive and Environ- products have been developed that The Postal Service works with and mental Protection Agency, and involved utilize the “Close the Loop” concept. assists other government organizations, the federal government and the environ- Utilizing its recycled Undeliverable such as the Environmental Protection mentally related private industry. Standard Mail (USM) as a material Agency (EPA), the Office of the Federal Among other commitments made source, the Postal Service has developed Environmental Executive (OFEE), the to increase its purchase of products and procured such innovative products General Services Administration (GSA), with recycled content and to “Close as Recycling Lobby Bins, Recycled and the Alternative Agricultural Re- the Loop”, the Postal Service is a mem- Content Envelopes, and Recycled search & Commercialization Center ber of the Buy Recycled Business Content Pencils. (AARC), in the promotion of new prod- Alliance, a program of the National The Postal Service annually purchases ucts and materials into Postal Service Recycling Coalition. The National more than 1OO,OOO retread tires and and government products and designs. Recycling Coalition has honored the more than 1OO,OOO gallons of re-refined An Environmental Managemend Postal Service for its outstanding efforts oil for its vehicle fleet. It has more Purchasing & Materials Task Force has to use recycled content and recyclable 7,300 service vehicles converted for the been established to identiG, assist and products. use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). promote the implementation of oppor- tunities in pollution prevention, recy- cling, and affirmative purchasing. An Environmental Products Guide has been developed as a tool for Postal Service personnel to make effective decisions in the purchase of products. Environmental attributes are listed in a tabular form so that personnel can make effective decisions. Award Winner: Ciy of Allentown, Pennsylvmiu

Pennsylvania Act 101 mandated that Allentown launched a Commercial In accordance with Pennsylvania law, municipalities implement commercial recy- Recycling Task Force to help develop the Allentown’s Commercial Recycling Or- cling programs. In response, Allentown program and the ordinance and to create dinance requires the 3,200+ businesses, launched an aggressive mandatory com- consensus and support for the program. institutions and non-profits recycle office mercial recycling program with extensive City staff began systematicallycontacting paper, cardboard, leaves and aluminum. education, assistance and enforcement each business, institution and apartment Allentown also requires its licensed food efforts directed at businesses, institutions complex to help establish recycling pro- service establishments to recycle glass and and apartment complexes. Over 21,000 grams. Meetings were held with business- tin containers. Allentown ordinance also tons, approximately 25% of the City’s es, trash haulers and apartment complex requires apartment complexes to recycle total waste stream, is recycled every year owners and managers. Presentations were glass, aluminum, tin and either plastic or by Allentown’s commercial sector. conducted for the Chamber of Commerce newspaper, educate their tenants and pro- Prior to program implementation and other business groups. vide recycling bins to each dwelling unit. the Allentown Recycling Program staff Educational materials included; commer- Commercial facilities and large apartment spent one year researching and soliciting cial and apartment complex manuals, collec- complexes must arrange for private recy- input from local businesses. A 1990 sur- tion service directories, posters and door cling collection or use the Drop-off Center. vey indicated that most businesses: hangers. Corrugated cardboard and office Allentown requires commercial facili- Were unaware of how much trash paper were added to the City’s Drop Off ties, apartment complexes, haulers and they generated and collection costs. Center. Over 100 business representatives recyclers to submit a recycling report Were not recycling but were not attended a local Commercial Recycling documenting their previous year recycling opposed to it. Conference, co-sponsored by the Commer- activities and tonnages. The reports pro- Would require significant assistance cial Recycling Task Force and the local vide data for county and state recycling in establishing recycling programs. Chamber of Commerce, in June 1990. reports and also serve as tools for educa- Small to medium businesses needed Allentown mailed notices to businesses tion and enforcement efforts. a convenient location to drop off all man- and apartment complexes to explain the A 1992 City survey of small downtown dated materials to avoid prohibitive col- new requirements. Many organizations Allentown businesses revealed that 33% lection costs for small quantities. had begun their programs in advance of were not recycling and many were paying It also became apparent that trash the directive because of the earlier out- extremely high fees for the collection of haulers would need to provide their cus- reach efforts. Subsequently, City business small quantities of trash and recyclables. tomers with recycling services and they tax bills contained informational inserts. Most were receptive to inclusion in the would need help implementing recycling residential City collection, provided the programs for their customers. Large com- RECYCLING,. fees were reasonable. Consequentially, Make It Your Business! panies and retailers recycling corrugated Allentown revised its residential collection cardboard represented the bulk of existing contract to allow businesses to participate recycling efforts. in curbside collection beginning in Jan- uary 1994. Currently about 200 business- es are included in City curbside collection. In 1998, Allentown will begin conducting outreach efforts by visiting each Allen- town business to help promote and expand recycling efforts and the City collection option. ALLENTOWN PtCYLltS Employee Education and Outreach ~ Awmd Winner: City of Los Angeles

The City Facilities Recycling Program Employee Education and Outreach CFRP web page is resource to the (CFRP) administers office recycling for 42 CFRP instills “environmentality” in world. City Departments with 36,000 employees City employees. Its innovative approaches Traveling Recycling Exhibits reaches in 500 City facilities. Established in June increase and sustain employee participa- 400+ outlying areas. 1991, CFRP oversees municipal buildings, tion and awareness. Education compo- “The RecycLetter” provides City- branch and regional libraries, fire stations, nents include: wide information. police stations, Council District offices, Recycling Trust Fund: Authorizes Tour of a Paper Recycling Mill maintenance/sanitation yards, animal shel- expenditure of 50% of revenues for educates Recycling Coordinators. ters, treatment plants, tax and permit employee education. Forty-five training workshops sustain offices, inspection offices, theater and cul- Network of 250 Department Site awareness of recycling. tural centers, housing centers, and parks Coordinators: Enthusiastic, innovative, Six training videos instill recycling recreation/community centers. and resourceful, they assist in program precepts. City Departments play a significant implementation. Thirty employee recycling slogan role in achieving the State-mandated solid Program Identification: Use of pro- posters displayed in duplication centers, waste reduction goal of 50% by year 2000. gram logo in all educational materials. meeting rooms, clerical areas. City Departments control 39.5% of the Regular Communications: City metered mail carries “recycling/ City’s entire disposed waste system and Quarterly newsletter, environmental environmental” messages. can directly and indirectly educate a siz- calendar, events, paycheck and postal Annual Good Earthkeeping Awards able portion of the public as 36,000 em- meter messages. recognizes top individuals and groups. ployees work for the City and more inter- Participatory Activities: Quizzes, con- “Reuse-A-Mug Rebate at City cafe- act with City Departments daily. tests, awards, workshops, pledges, etc. teriaslsnack shops prevents waste. CFRP recycles office paper, cardboard, Information Access: RecycLINE Event recycling will benefit 1,600 newspaper and magazines, phone books, provides information and records ser- City-sponsored special events by old books, blueprints, sensitive records, vice requests. CFRP web page serves January 1998. food and beverage containers, toner car- as information resource. Recycling at City-leased buildings tridges, and wood scrap is collected for Surveys and Evaluations: Customer mirror that of CFRP the Los Angeles Unified School District Satisfaction Survey includes employee Cable and radio talk shows spread (LAUSD). It diverts 1,600 tons of materi- education, and outreach as a key survey the message: Buy Recycled, Channel als from landfills annually, generates rev- category. Evaluation of offices moni- 35 and Reuse Program, 103.1 AM. enues, and saves the City $56,000 in tors program participation levels. disposal costs. Technical Assistance: Information CFRP administers a City Materials exchange with other entities. Exchange Program (CitiMAX) which Awarded by the California Re- facilitates reuse of excess supplies discarded source Recovery Association for its by City Departments. In 1996, CitiMAX education program. received the Productivity Excellence Award Mayoral Proclamation of Recycling for its information and reuse program and Awareness Month each June. cost savings estimated at $350,000. Council motions support recycling and require compliance to various programs. Fairs promote recycling themes. Twenty Buy Recycled 2000 work- shops in August ‘97 helped close recy- cling loop. E nviro n menta I Res pon si bi I i ty Awurd Winner: UI S. Postul Service

The United States Postal Service's Postage stamps represent a small per- Environmentally Benign Pressure Sensitive centage of postal PSA products. However, Adhesive Program seeks to develop pres- since the postage stamp program utilizes sure sensitive adhesive (PSA) postage 82 percent PSA construction, it is highly stamps that do not adversely affect the visible to the American public. environment. Its main objective is to In addition to postage stamps, the develop postage and label products that Postal Service utilizes PSA labels and tapes can be successfully and economically recy- for a variety of mailing and service applica- cled into paper products. This effort tions. It is estimated that the Postal Ser- focuses on both pre-consumer (stamp vice uses 250 billion square inches of PSA paper production, printing and finishing stamps, tapes and labels per year, which operations, non-specification stamp is approximately 12 percent of the total paper), and post-consumer (stamps and U.S. label market. labels in home and offke paper) waste In summary, an environmentally streams. Future application of environ- benign PSA construction for postage mentally benign PSAs are to be applied stamps, and eventually, labels, tapes and to other postal label products as well as other Pressure Sensitive products would home and office-paper products. position the Postal Service as a leader in The Postal Service has recognized the Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimi- stickies contamination problem as a major zation and create the potential for an deterrent to its recycling program. Re- improvement in paper recyclability. cycling of Undeliverable Standard Mail (USM) and other recyclables generated approximately $8 million in FY 1997. The USMs commodity value could be increased through reducing or eliminating main stream PSA products and replacing them with environmentally benign PSAs. Improved Recycling Rates Awurd Winner: Chon USA., Inc.

During 1996 Canon U.S.A., Inc., Battery, Bubble-Jet, Toner Clean Earth Day - Clean Your Corporate Headquarters reevaluated their Cartridge, Cassette Collection Pilot Files Day recycling programs. Revised Pilot Collec- Program During 1997, Canon U.S.A., Inc., tion & Recycling Programs were dwel- This pilot program was partially devel- Corporate Headquarters combined the oped for 1997 to improve recycling. These oped in 1996 by recycling toner cartridges. two subjects into a one week program. programs are: During 1996, 1,152 toner cartridges were Information tables were set up in three recycled, subsequently, 1,880 toner car- company cafeterias. There was an in- Electronics Product End Life tridges were collected and recycled in crease of commingled recycling by three- Management Program 1997. This illustrates a 61.3% increase. fold for the week. All electronic products no longer vi- Rechargeable batteries were included in able are sent for recycling. Recycling totals 1997 and over one hundred pounds of Aluminum Recycling for 1996 totaled 57,800 pounds, and rechargeable batteries have been collected Canon U.S.A., Inc., Corporate Head- 1997 recycling totals increased to 81,661 and recycled thus far. quarters donated thirty-one large contain- pounds. This reflects a 41.3% percentile ers of aluminum cans to the local Boy increase over 1996. Renovation By-product Recycling Scouts of America Troop for return de- Recycled 165,000 square yards of car- posit and recycling in 1997, as compared Styrofoam and Packaging Collection peting during renovation and replacement to eighteen containers of aluminum cans & Reuse Pilot Program carpeting throughout one building. Old for 1996. The increase in recycling repre- Canon U.S.A., Inc., Corporate Head- carpeting recycled in partnership with E.I. sents an additional 58.1 percent improve- quarters replaced Styrofoam cafeteria stock Dupont Reclamation Co. ment over the same period from the prior and packaging within Central Services by year. The deposit from the aluminum cans using recycled paper. Collected Styrofoam Lighting Retrofit allows the Boy Scout Troop to purchase packaging is sent to the Shipping and Re- Replaced all oil containing ballasts extra materials and finance camping trips. ceiving Department for reuse. The pur- to electronic ballasts and low mercury chase of Styrofoam has been eliminated. fluorescent lamps in cooperation with Long Island Lighting Company. Commingling of Paper & Cardboard Recycling Based upon 1996 recycling figures, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Corporate Head- quarters commenced a pilot project based upon commingling of paper and card- board, The results for 1997 are 1,135,750 pounds. This demonstrates a 52.6% in- crease in recycling over the previous year. Public Outreach ~ Co-Award Winner: City of Burbank, CA

In 1989, California mandated that Free recycling bins and collection are Since December 1989, the City’s com- cities reduce their waste stream 50% by given to all Burbank schools, public and posting program has provided over 3,100 the year 2000; in 1996, Burbank achieved private. City staff speak to classes, provide free composters and instruction to Burbank a 49.8% state-verified waste diversion rate teaching curricula, hold writing and poster households. In addition the program offers four years ahead of schedule. This success contests, and offer teachers recycling and five composting workshops a year. story can be partly attributed to the City’s composting workshops and free composters. Burbank Recycles, a newsletter, pub- public outreach programs. Each year, two schools (four grades) receive lished semi-annually, is mailed to all Bur- In October 1992, Burbank built a user- transportation to and tours of the recycling, bank residents and businesses. Staff attend friendly, state-of-the-art recycling center landfill and field services operations. over 20 public events annually-fairs, mar- with a materials recovery facility (MRF), A $2,000 grant helped finance an ele- athons, road shows, mail happenings-and a buybackldrop-off center, a 1,000-gallon mentary school pilot ,“WasteLess Lunch” write and design brochures, utility bills, underground used oil tank, and the Learn- project, which showed that 85% of school phone book pages, coloring book, “On ing Center. To introduce and explain how lunch waste can be composted or recycled. Screen” movie ads, newspaper ads and arti- ,, the City’s new MRF and automated collec- The City hopes to expand the program des, and public service announcements. tion program (for totally commingled recy- to other Bur-bank schools. Staff consists of a recycling coordinator, clables) works, City staff held a series of In 1994, the City began offering all specialist, secretary and utility worker for public meetings at neighborhood schools. Burbank businesses free containers and the City population 100,000. Open to the public, the Learning collection for commingled recyclables. This year, Burbank won the Solid Center serves as a clearinghouse of infor- One customer, the U.S. Post Office, Waste Association of North America and mation (including materials exchange); whom City staff contacted in 1995, recy- the California Resource Recovery Associ- a lending library of videos, books, maga- cles approximately eight tons of paper a ation awards for public education. zines; and a composting workshop and month with the Center. demonstration site. It houses interactive City staff exhibits at the Chamber exhibits that, in 1996, entertained and of Commerce annual showcase event, con- educated 1,780 visitors, many of them tacts each new Burbank Chamber mem- school children. The 1997 count is ex- ber, honors business “Recycling Heroes” pected to be similar. each year, and holds five or more recycling The Learning Center‘s main attraction, workshops a year with businesses and Recyclamania, features a “Junkarandd’ tree, apartment complexes. which houses a computer, TV monitor, microscope and macroscope (with corre- sponding lesson plans); a walk-in compost bin and “worm condo”; buy recycled and reduce/reuse exhibits; and more. Billy Rey Cycle, the Recycle Center mascot, received his name through a City-wide contest. Co-Award Winner: City of Louisville, Kentucky

UP THE VOLUME Specific Goals for the Program Two other spots publicized contests we Recycling Education Campaign Summary sponsored which offered significant prizes Primary God made from recycled material to illustrate Problem/Opportunity Statement Increase volume of recycled residential the results of recycling. Recycle Now, Play In January, 1996, the City of Louisville solid waste with emphasis on new mate- Later awarded $45,000 in playground signed a new contract for recycling collec- rials recently added to recyclable list and equipment and park furniture to city neigh- tion and processing and added new mate- their proper preparation borhoods and Free Wheels gave away a rials to its recyclable list. In addition to Secondary Goal year’s lease on a new Ford to a city recycler. the newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, Encourage new participants in Local corporations which were either glass and #I and #2 plastic which had curbside program producing or handling recyclable materials been collected for five years, the program Educate apartment dwellers about were approached to deliver our recycling added brown paper grocery bags, tele- drop-off recycling program message with their products. The Courier- phone books, magazines/catalogues, paper- Our target audience was mainly the Journal delivered an UP THE VOLUME board, mail, corrugated cardboard, blue 87,000 households eligible for curbside kraft bag to 70,000 subscribers and donat- glass and foil items. Although curbside pickup, but also the residents of larger ed ad space; Kroger identified recyclables participation was already 68%, the public apartment buildings who can utilize city with shelf talkers; the City’s postage meter needed to be educated about the new drop-off sites. Louisville wanted its residents imprinted Recycle Mail; Zip Express put items, especially because collection was who were already recycling to continue and Recycle More Paper decals on 135 trucks: changing from twice a week plus recy- to add the newly eligible items to their bins. soft drink bottlers put 600,000 stickers on clables to once a week plus recyclables. The achievement of that goal could be mea- their bottles and cans; local Ford dealers sured by comparing the tonnage collected donated a lease on a new 2x2;and Pepsi before and after the educational campaign. sponsored a :20 UP THE VOLUME spot on the video wall at all the University of Planning/Execution Louisville’s home basketball games. We divided the twelve month campaign into four quarters with each quarter focus- Results ing on one category of recyclables. Then we The amount of recyclables collected asked the public to “UP THE VOLUME”. annually increased from 9,22 1 tons in To get our message into the home where 1995 to 13,292 tons in 1996. A 44% recycling takes place, we chose television increase! Plastic tonnage increased from as our major media tool. We negotiated a 5 15 to 964 or 87%. Steel increased from partnership with WLKY, Louisville’s CBS 405 to 610 or 50%. The average weight affiliate. They agreed to help produce and of recyclables per household increased run individual :30 spots for the different from 18 pounds per month to 26 pounds, categories of recyclables (plastic, paper, glass Participation in the curbside program and metal), emphasizing proper preparation moved from 65% per month to 86% per and utilizing different types of music. month. A 22% increase in tonnage at the Music was an important element in the drop-off sites showed increased participa- spots because of its positive association with tion there. too. the name of our campaign, “UP THE VOL- UME. Only “real” recyclers were featured, city residents from all parts of Louisville and Louisville‘s mayor, Jerry Abramson.

Award Appl ican ts

The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year A lliedsignal

The following are examples of IS0 14001- During the 1777 Earth Week obser- AlliedSignal Federal Manufacturing & In 1777 AlliedSignal earned IS0 vance, the company distributed to all Technologies (FM&T) commitment 14,001 certification. IS0 14001 stan- associates a reusable, washable cup with to recycling: dards contain core elements for managing the words “I Make a Difference - Re- AlliedSignal Federal Manufacturing a company’s processes and activities to duce, Reuse, Recycle”. These cups, and Technologies (FM&T) began recy- identify and control environmental ef- along with reusable hot drink mugs cling in the 1750s by recycling scrap fects and impacts. which were distributed in 1778, have metals. In the mid-l780s, efforts were significantly reduced the use of dispos- begun to systematically look at all wastes Recycling able Styrofoam cups. This has resulted generated by every process in the plant, Currently have a comprehensive re- in potential avoided disposal of over so that wastes could be minimized. cycling program which recycles or re- 4,000 Styrofoam cups per day, which In 1771, a Recycling Coordinator was uses over 15 different types of material. equates to one million cups per year. assigned to establish a comprehensive Recycled over 1,745 tons ofwaste The plant has recently placed almost recycling program. In 1984, the Pol- material in 1777. all at its forms in electronic media, has lution prevention department was estab- 70 used computers were donated, procured printers which have double- lished to coordinate all pollution preven- for reuse by students, to local public sided printing capability, and has placed tion activities. In 1776, an Mirmative school systems. all of its internal procedures in electron- Procurement Coordinator was assigned VOC air emissions have been reduced ic format which has eliminated hun- to ensure compliance with Presidential by 78% from 1786 levels. dreds of volumes of paper procedures. Executive Order 12873 (Federal Acqui- An Energy Waste Hotline has been Recycled over 660 tons of asphalt sition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention), established to enable associates to report and concrete from construction and which provides guidelines for buying opportunities to prevent or decrease demolition projects. materials containing recycled content. energy waste within the plant. Associates are trained both formally * Pollution Prevention- or through internal media, as to how During Fiscal Year 1777 an associate to identity opportunities for preventing was assigned to be the Pollution Preven- pollution and how to develop and im- tion Coordinator. Responsibilities include plement solutions. interlacing with individual waste generat- The local community is kept in- ing departments to explore ways to pre- formed about environmental issues, vent pollution through reducing the use developments, and improvements of raw materials and resources, reuse of through a quarterly newsletter, ‘Focus materials that otherwise would become on the Environment‘. waste, and recycling wastes. These activi- Recently, an Affirmative Procure- ties have resulted in ‘source reduction’ ment Coordinator was assigned to of approximately 12,000 pounds over ensure that Executive Order 13873 the past year. (Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention) objectives are met. The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year and Improved Recvclinq Rates Boise Cascade Boise Cascade St. Helens paper mill’s To kick off the improved recycling pro- For this recycling program to succeed recycling program includes a variety of gram, the committee produced a recycling it has taken a commitment from mill materials: ofice paper, cardboard, maga- information newsletter for employees called management to provide resources to put zines, newsprint, toner cartridges, printer Waste Not. Each week of kick-off month together a successful program, a dedicated ribbons, pallets, salt bags, talc bags, chip featured a different recyclable. Prizes were group of volunteers to oversee it, a recy- nets, pop cans, scrap metal and wood. awarded to those who brought in recy- cling coordinator to efficiently run the Industrial wastes from the paper making clables during kick-off month. Company day-to-day operations, and employees who process such as paper roll cores, trim rolls, jackets, pens, balloons, and pop were given are committed to the recycling effort. It’s and wood chips are also part of the pro- away. Daily promotions were run in the been well worth it. In 1996, Boise Cascade gram. Since 1995, when Boise first fo- company newsletter, The Pulp Line. To St. Helens kept over 785 tons of office cused on improving its recycling program, tie in with community recycling efforts, paper, cardboard, and magazine refuse the amount of office paper, cardboard and the kick-off was held in conjunction with out of landfills. magazines recycled has more than tripled, the local community “Clean Up Day”. from 29 tons per month to 94 tons. In After a year of monitoring the recycling addition, the monthly trash collection program, the committee recommended WASTE NOT! charges have been reduced from $20,000 hiring a full time recycling coordinator a month to $5,000. to further streamline the system. The coor- The Recycle committee has been a dinator initially focused on minimizing catalyst in developing rhe mill’s recycling recycle bin contamination. In doing so, program. The committee meets monthly in just one month, the volume of recov- and is composed of volunteers from each ered goods increased dramatically, from 39 operating area, who plan and coordinate tons per month to 70 tons. The coordina- recycling activities within their depart- tor’s job includes maintaining a daily col- “Nothing should leave this ments. In the past two years, the commit- lection route consisting of 23 operating mill except pure garbsgei,” tee has surveyed employees to assess recy- areas and 65 6-yard, color-coded recycle Jim Huff, cling needs, developed and implemented a bins. In addition the coordinator operates Resident MQnager. successhl recycling program, and tracked two compactors for handling cardboard the volume of materials recycled. They and paper, and educates contractors work- spearheaded the construction of “Recycle ing on-site, in the proper use of the mill’s Corner”, a collection area in the employee recycling system. parking lot where employees and commu- nity members can drop off magazines, newspapers, catalogs, cereal boxes, and office waste. By periodically running adver- tisements in local newspapers promoting “Recycle Corner”, the mill has become popular with the local community as a drop-off point for recycling. Recently the mill was also listed in the local yellow pages as a community resource for recycling. Improved Recycling Rates Bowie State University, ARRMARK Campus Services

Located in Prince George’s County The total reflects the following major While the program is still small, we Maryland, and founded in 1865, Bowie increases: are committed to progress and growth. State University is one of the oldest his- Paper 15% We are anxious to add new commodities torically black universities in America. Cardboard 1 13% to the materials that are now recycled. We Situated in the Baltimore/ Washington Our focus since taking over the pro- will expand the program to include volun- DC corridor, BSU has a student popula- gram has been to divert as much material teers and hope to create a relationship with tion of over 4,600 and faculty and support as possible from the waste stream to be re- area schools through lectures and demon- staff of 500. The recycling program has cycled. To this end we undertook a lengthy strations, and on campus tours showcasing existed for several years, and AFUMARK waste audit in early 1997 in order to better the program and our vision for the future. Campus Services assumed the manage- understand our situation and to help add ment function of the program in March direction to the program. 1996. The past two years have seen Results from this waste audit were growth, with 1997 producing the most beneficial in the decision to change ven- positive and encouraging results yet. dors for the waste removal contract, as In the past year, B.S.U. has experienced well as to implement more efficient collec- a 45% increase over 1996 in the total ton- tion systems, especially regarding corrugat- nage recycled from campus, reaching 46 ed cardboard. In addition, revisions in tons. This equates to a 56% increase over pick-up schedules could result in up to 1996 of the total waste stream recycled. a 33% cost savings to the university. This was accomplished through better diversion of recyclable materials. Model Recycler Chevron Red Estute Munugement Compuny

Company/Organization Plant Engineering/Facilities Management Technical Services consists of four Chevron’s Richmond Technology Cen- Department teams with a total of 5 1 Chevron employ- ter is proud of its long history as part of Chevron Real Estate Management ees: Planning OfficelField Construction, the City of Richmond. The Richmond Company (known as CREMCO) manages Instrument and Electrical Shops, Machine/ Technology Center is one of the petroleum 9.4 million square feet in 101 buildings at Glass Shop, and Engineering and Design. industry’s largest and best equipped Chevron facilities across the United States. The site began operation in the 1930’s research facilities. Our site, covering 3 1 Overall, the organization currently consists when our oldest building was built, with acres and comprised of 1.1 million sq ft of 368 Chevron employees and additional the newest building approximately 12 in more than 40 buildings, currently contractor personnel. Building Asset Ser- years old. Annual Facilities Expense Bud- accommodates 1300 Chevron employees vices is divided into the Eastern and West- get is $22 million, with an annual Capital and many contractors. ern Regions, and the Facility Manager Budget of $7 million. Our team of talented employees pro- located at each site reports to either the vides Chevron’s operating companies and Eastern or Western Regional Manager. In The Problem their customers worldwide with leading- addition to the buildings side, CREMCO The cost of disposal of non-hazardous edge research, development, and engineer- also consists of Land Asset Services, Busi- industrial and office waste was, and is, ing technology in the areas of refining ness Services, and Technical Services orga- dramatically increasing as the options for processes, additives for hels and lubri- nizations. landfill are decreasing. The anticipated cants, catalysts, petroleum and petrochem- Site management of the Richmond closure of the local landfill is 1998, and ical products, environmental sciences, Technology Center in Richmond, Cal- this will add more economic pressure. capital project management, and equip- ifornia, was assumed by CREMCO on Concurrently, tighter State environ- ment design and reliability. Over the years, January 1, 1997 as an outcome of a mental legislation AB 939 passed in 1989, we have achieved a reputation for technical Technology Study that was performed mandated a 25% reduction of materials excellence and are responsible for many during 1996. Up until that time, the site landfilled at sanitary landfills statewide petroleum industry firsts. Some examples: was managed by Chevron Research and by 1995 and a 50% reduction by 2000,

0 1927: Supplied aviation gasoline Technology Company. In general, the using 1989 as the base. for first solo flight from New York City same employees are performing the same to Paris by Charles A. Lindbergh. functions as before the Study; however, Our challenges were 1953: First in the world to develop they are now part of a different Chevron Reduce or keep static our costs to a successful multi-grade engine oil, operating company. dispose of the site’s non-hazardous WM low-30 Special. There is both a CREMCO Facilities industrial and office waste. 1980: Developed Techroline, an ad- Management organization and a CREM- Support local efforts to reduce the ditive for unleaded gasoline, not only CO Technical Services organization locat- amount of material landfilled to meet cleans intake systems, but does not con- ed at the Richmond site. Facilities Man- the legislated mandated reductions. tribute to combustion chamber deposits. agement is broken into four teams with Continue to meet our on-site cus- a total of 39 Chevron employees: Facilities tomers’ needs. Planning, Facilities Operations, Mainten- Increase the site’s commitments to ance, and Lab Services. environmental sound practices (do the right thing). The Solution In the first nine months of operation, Future Plans A method was needed to reduce the the Recycle Center recycled the following: In addition to our plans to further amount of materials that the site sent to 34 tons of cardboard reduce the amount of material going to the local sanitary landfill while remaining 30 tons of paper landfill, we also plan to increase our local transparent to our on-site customers. It 7 tons of glass efficiencies in the collection and sorting also needed to fall within the budget 160 cubic yards of wood and metal of the material. We are planning to remod- restraints of good business practices; 600 pounds of aluminum cans el the sorting table to make it more user that is, it must not add any additional Since 1987, we have collected data on friendly and add some safety features. We costs to the site. the “History of Non-Hazardous Disposal will be looking at adding some automated We decided to build an on-site recy- at RTC. In 1991, we started a voluntary features to the sorting tasks such as a con- cling center or mini MRF (Material Re- program recycling white office paper and veyor system to move the sorted paper to covery Facility), a term used in the recy- cardboard, however, we had mixed results the proper containers. cling business, if you will. Here, we would with less than 25% of the material being To date, the new recycling method has bring in all the non-hazardous industrial recycled. The results of our 1996 recycling been transparent to our customers on-site. and office waste and presort it, removing program are remarkable. In nine months, In 1991, we did ask them to sort out all materials that can be recycled, compact we reduced the amount of waste sent to white office paper with about 25% being the remaining material, and send it to the landfill by 60% when compared to 1995. recycled. However, we plan to ask them local sanitary landfill. Our goal in 1997 is to reduce this to under to do more in the future; for example, we 1,000 cubic yards-a better than 80% re- plan to put multiple containers in confer- The Results duction when compared to our base year ence rooms and lunchlbreak rooms. We In April 1996, the doors opened on 1995! When comparing this reduction to will request that wet garbage, aluminum the site’s new Recycle Center. The 1,800+ the base year 1989 used in the Waste cans, and glass containers be sorted. We square foot building was outfitted with Diversion State Legislation AB 939, this will also look into the idea of a central a sorting table, conveyor belt system end- will be a reduction of almost 90%! sorting station in each building for use ing at a compactor, various containers We also met other goals: the first one by the building’s occupants (this will be used for the material that can be recycled, being transparent to our customers, the very similar to curb side recycling that is and a cardboard compactor. The main second of continuing our commitment presently used for residential customers). sorting is handled by two people; they to environmentally sound practices, and We will also look at expanding our opera- sort an average of 250 cubic yards of thirdly we reduced our overall costs. We tions; for example, the Chevron Rich- material per day. were able to pay the additional expenses mond Refinery is next door to our facility The material is collected by the janitors associated with running the Recycle Cen- and we may be able to offer our services at and stored in seven yard self-dumping ter, such as: the addition of manpower (2), their Administration and Technical Center hoppers at seven of our main buildings. the rental of the building, operational sup- buildings. They do have a building on our These full hoppers are then transported plies, and maintenance from the revenue site that we will start servicing in the sec- by forklift to the Recycle Center and generated. In nine months of operation, ond quarter of this year, a foot in the door dumped on the sorting table. The card- we saved $20,000 compared to the previ- so to speak. board is collected in six-yard humpback ous year. With the increasing costs of dis- front loaders at the same buildings and posal, this savings will continue to grow. transported to the Recycle Center for bail- ing. The cardboard bailing takes about three hours a day to complete. Buy Recycled, Public Outreach ~ Ciiy of Allentown, Pennsylvdnid

Buy Recycled Allentown’s recycling staff conducted a Allentown became the first large- Allentown launched its highly success- Buy Recycled Workshop in June 1993 in scale user of glasphalt for street paving ful recycling program in 1990, which is conjunction with PROP (Public Recycling in Pennsylvania in 1993 when the currently diverting nearly 40% of the Officials of Pennsylvania) for over 100 Pennsylvania Department of Transpor- City’s waste annually. Committed to creat- participants in northeastern Pennsylvania. tation (PennDOT) issued specifications ing a demand for recycled products, City Allentown is working to create a mar- for its use. The City has increased its officials adopted a Buy Recycled policy in ket for approximately 30 to 50% of post- commitment to using glasphalt annually 1992 that requires all City paper purchases consumer commingled glass collected since then, increasing its glasphalt expen- to contain not only a percentage of recy- for recycling which becomes unrecyclable diture from $137,862 in 1993 to cled content but also a percentage of post- mixed color broken glass residue at materi- $517,000 in 1997 despite the fact that consumer content. Included was a 10% als recovery facilities. The City received a in some cases it is .30 to .50 per ton more price preference for non-paper recycled $1.3 million Pennsylvania Department of costly than regular asphalt. Another bar- products and a pledge to promote Buying Environmental Protection grant for the rier for use of glasphalt is PennDOT, who Recycled at the state and local levels. funding of a glass processing facility for eliminated its specification for use in the Full implementation of Allentown’s eastern Pennsylvania. Through a public- wearing surface in 1994. Buy Recycled policy began in 1991. Allen- private partnership, the private vendor Allentown not only continues to use it town’s Purchasing Bureau developed recy- who constructed and operates the plant for resurfacing roads but actively works to cled product specifications and identified is required to annually process a mini- reinstate the PennDOT specs and to pro- potential recycled product purchases. Al- mum of 10,000 tons of mixed broke glass mote glasphalt use by others. Over 100 lentown also worked with the local munic- residue to Pennsylvania Department of Allentown streets now sparkle with glasphalt. ipal purchasing cooperative, representing Transportation specifications for glasphalt Allentown’s Bureau of Parks began city and county governments with a total paving materials. This has provided a con- using recycled products in 1993. Alliance combined population of over 450,000, to sistent supply of high quality glasphalt and Park was constructed in 1994 using recy- enable the cooperative to issue its first bid helps to overcome, one of the barriers to cled plastic timbers, tables, benches, con- for recycled copier paper. All City copier its use in Pennsylvania. tainers and playground equipment. Plastic paper and letterhead purchases in 1991 lumber has also been used to build an am- contained a minimum of 50% recycled phitheatre, community gardens, benches, content, and a minimum of 10% post- tables, etc. The City began purchasing consumer content. retread tires in 1995 and recycled paint In 1992, Allentown specified that all in 1996. All recycling bins purchased of its copier paper, letterhead, envelopes, since 1990 contain recycled content (over paper towels, and toilet tissue contain a $500,000 worth). minimum of 50% recycled content includ- The City’s purchasing of recycled ing 10% post-consumer content. The City products has expanded annually due to also formalized its Buy Recycled policy in the commitment of Allentown’s Mayor April 1992 in response to the U. S. Confer- Heydt and his department heads, the will- ence of Mayors’ Buy Recycled Campaign. ingness of Allentown’s bureau managers to use new products and the diligence of the Purchasing Bureau in finding and promot- ing new products. Allentown is committed to Buying Recycled and plans to continue to expand its efforts. Public Outreach Direct mailings to households have In May 1997, the City’s recycling mas- Allentown’s comprehensive recycling proven to be a cost-effective method in cots and “Clean Getaway” characters greet- program consists of four major compo- communicating program details and ed students as they entered the City’s ele- nents: mandatory residential curbside changes, as well as the Recycling Hot-line, mentary schools to promote the addition recycling, a drop-off center, mandatory which receives an average of 10,000 calls of milk cartons and juice boxes to curbside commercial recycling and a comprehensive per year. The City sponsors contests and commingled collections. The recycling yard waste program which includes curb- Earth Day activities to promote the recy- mascots that also appear at many commu- side collection, drop-offs, processing and cling message. nity functions are used as cartoon charac- composting. The Recycling Program en- Special attention is paid to communi- ters in written materials. In 1998, Allen- gages in extensive public outreach to sup- cating with the City’s large Latino and town plans to sponsor recycling magic port each component. low-income populations. A pilot curbside shows in the schools. In 1989 Allentown commissioned a collection was implemented in a low-in- The City banned yard waste and grass random phone survey of residents prior come, predominantly Latin housing pro- from trash collection in 1991, initiating to kickoff to assess attitudes and knowl- ject. Recycling bins were hand delivered a “Let it Lay” grass recycling education edge about recycling. Less than 25% of in low-income areas on Saturdays by vol- campaign. Residents who choose to bag those surveyed were recycling. A majority unteers who explained the program to resi- their grass must pay $1.OO per bag fee. felt recycling was beneficial citing the envi- dents. Materials are printed in Spanish Direct mailing and tax inserts to residents ronment as the top reason to recycle. and outreach is conducted in the Latino helped to promote the new curbside col- However, awareness of the upcoming community, including churches, commu- lection, expanded yard waste drop off sites mandatory recycling law was low. nity centers, local Latino radio stations, and backyard composting. Allentown also The City kicked off its curbside recy- and at community events. promotes a pilot Green Cone backyard cling collection on Earth Day 1990 with Conducting outreach in the schools food waste composting program. a substantial public education and enforce- has been highly effective. Allentown con- These efforts have led to a residential ment campaign. Over a dozen meetings ducted various educational shows and pre- recycling participation rate of 94 %, verified were held around the City to create aware- sentations in schools regularly since early through random trash checks of 1,600 house- ness and solicit in-put from residents. 1990. In addition, the Recycling Program holds annually. The City has extensively pro- Neighborhood Recycling Volunteers were has held an accredited teacher course and moted commercial and apartment complex recruited to promote the program and informational tours of local recycling facili- recycling through mailings, printed materials, provide in-put to the City. ties. Since 1992 a professionally produced surveys, outreach and a Commercial Re- An extensive public education campaign musical comedy, “Clean Getaway”, about cycling Task Force as described in the com- including the production of two videos, recycling, waste reduction and litter preven- mercial recycling application. a slide show, direct mailings, lawn signs, tion is regularly presented to all Allentown newsletters, brochures, tax and water bill elementary and middle school students. inserts, refrigerator magnets, billboards, radio and newspaper advertisements, pro- grams in the schools, frequent presenta- tions to neighborhood and community service groups, contests, bus placards and substantial media coverage helped create awareness and enthusiasm for the program. Public Outreach City of Bloomington, Indiand

The City of Bloomington, Indiana is The division also provides biweekly Residents are also mailed a post card home to Indiana University and 65,000+ collection of recyclables, for which there with information regarding the free Spring residents including 35,000+ university is no charge. The City distributes one free and Fall Clean Ups, during which large students. Through its Department of recycling bin per household. Items collected items are collected. All appliances collected Public Works, Bloomington offers curb- include: mixed paper, newspaper, corrugated as part of this program are recycled. side collection of trash, yard waste, and cardboard, magazines/catalogs, glass food The City has also developed a sanita- recycling to over 13,600 single-family resi- and beverage containers, metal food and bev- tion database linked to its Geographic dences within the city limits. The transient erage cans and plastic bottles (#1 and #2). Information System which provides nature of the student population has led In order to maintain quality service address labels for only those households the City to develop an aggressive market- delivery in light of a constantly growing receiving sanitation and leaf collection ser- ing campaign to encourage participation service load, the City redesigned its system vices. This development is a significant in its recycling programs. of trash and recycling collection routes improvement over the previous method, The Public Works' Sanitation Division effective January 1997. This redesign in- which used the City Utilities database. provides weekly collection of refuse and cluded an increase in the frequency of re- The Utilities database included non-City yard waste from all single-family homes. cyclable collection from twice monthly to residents, nonresident landlords and did In 1993, the City instituted a pay-as-you- every other week, a simplified holiday col- not include many student tenants. Con- throw program that requires the use of $1 lection schedule, a consolidation of highly sequently, many potential recyclers did trash stickers for each 32 gallon can or bag transient recycled paper areas surrounding not receive necessary information, and disposed of; or a twenty-five cent sticker the university campus into one route, and much paper information was wasted on for each bundle or bag of yard waste. This a new emphasis on public information. citizens not eligible for City services. program was developed to help fund the Each city resident now receives a refrig- Based on counting set-outs on a par- growing cost of waste management, and erator magnet which lists their specific re- ticular day, the City continues to enjoy to encourage curbside recycling. cycling collection days for the year along approximately 50% participation in its with other important information on recycling program, although actual partici- trash, yard waste and large item collection. pation is difficult to quantiG. The tonnage Newspaper advertising is used to supple- of recyclables diverted from the landfill ment this information throughout the continues to grow steadily, with a 20% Every Othei Wednesday course of the year. Any magnets remaining projected increase in 1997 over 1996. 1997 Recycling Collection Dates at the end of the year are taken to the local Jail 15 L 29 .Uy 5. 16 & 30 Feb l?&26 Aug 13&2/ Solid Waste District's Reuse Center and Mar 12&26 Sap 10&24 used by area teachers in the Materials for Api S&23 Oct 8822 May I &21 Nov 5 b 19 the Arts program. June 4 81 18 Dec 3,1I & 3; Son Recyciaoies 3 Ways 1). Paper net)rsoaDer, magdnab. catalogs, mixed omce paper, paperboard and uardboard

L) bias alia MBI~id (L beveraae wniainers 3) Plastics# 1 & t 2. boltle shapes only "teabe t~dyoui8a.,tdnMI ~~...~~~ocnurefoi intormation oil how IOprepare recyclables city d Blownimm bunenid PuMic Wwks 349-3410 w-8 thl7 Improved Recycling Rates The City of Burbmk, California

When the City of Burbank‘s Recycle In July 1995, the State (California Inte- Produces brochures, flyers, utility Center opened in September 1982, it grated Waste Management Board), which bill inserts, phone book pages, news- accepted used motor oil, which was col- has recognized Burbank as a leader in oil paper ads and a display board in the lected and recycled locally at no charge recycling in the State, asked Burbank to Learning Center conducts tours to the City. In 1983, Burbank‘s Center collect namedaddresses of people recycling through the Oil Center as part of recycled 3,157 gallons of motor oil, com- filters, count number of filters collected the Recycle Center tours.

pared with 21,395 gallons, or 6.7 times and pay participants for returned filters. 9 Distributes free oil drain pandbuck- more, in 1997. Not included in these sta- From July 1995 - December 1997, the ets at the Center and at approximately tistics are 1,050 gallons of oil recycled at Center has collected an estimated 6,75 1 15 events per year including mara- the Los Angeles County annual household filters. By law, the Recycle Center is not thons, picnics, car shows, environmen- hazardous waste roundup in Burbank in allowed to collect oil or filters from tal fairs, Chamber of Commerce Show- September 1997 (most of which is from businesses. case, Media City Mall events, Earth Burbank residents), and 6,470 gallons Day, America Recycles Day, etc.). of oil recycled by City fleets. To promote oil recycling, the Recycle Center staff helped a local manufactur- Two main events caused the meteoric Center: er design and develop these drain rise in oil recycled, the City’s new re- Produces a newsletter, mailed twice- pans/buckets, which hold two filters cycling center and California oil grant yearly, to all 46,000 Burbank (popula- and 12 quarts of oil. funds. Burbank‘s new Center, built in tion 100,000) addresses. One page Speaks to Burbank evening adult ed- October 1992, features a user-friendly of each issue discusses oil recycling. ucation, high school auto shop classes, buyback/drop-off area, material recovery Advertise “On-Screen”in the local local organizations and business groups. facility (MRF), Learning Center and AMC theaters that boast up to 50,000 Is planning cable TV advertising on 1,000-gallon underground used oil tank. viewers a week. The ad played in the sports programs now that Burbank Through the State’s first oil grant in 1993, nine theaters generally slated for action has 98 channels. Burbank became one of its first certified films, that attract the targeted 18- to 36- Note: City fleet supervisors have been oil centers. With a 10-year old collection year old males (do-it-yourselfers). recycling oil and related products and program already in place, Burbank was purchasing re-refined oil and related able to spend its oil grant finds on a well- products for eight years. ventilated, tiled, enclosed Used Oil Cen- ter within the Recycle Center, with an 8-ft long sink, an oil filtedanti-freeze contain- ment area, and a receptacle for spent oil containers. The Center’s original oil sink was reused as a wash-up sink for customers and emdovees. Public Outreach ~ City of Fountain

The Public Outreach Challenge: The Solution: The Outcome: Since all Fountain Valley trash is sorted Fountain Valley created “The Great The Great Fountain Valley Bottle at a central plant (the Materials Recovery Fountain Valley Bottle Roundup,” in which Roundup and Monument Sigh Project Facility, or MEW), the community’s resi- the entire communiry collected PET and were smashing successes as effective dents do not perform hands-on removal HDPE bottles over an 11-week period. educational and behavior-changing of their recyclable from the waste stream. The bottles were then converted into plastic ventures: To explain the City’s centralized processing lumber, from which new monument signs The graduating Courreges School method, Fountain Valley developed a crisp were made for the City’s 10 major gate- 5th graders chose to buy recycled-plastic brochure and mailed it to each address ways. The signs read “Welcome to Fountain benches as a school gift. within the City. However, when countless Valley” on one side, and have a recycling Local residents brought in 24% more letters and telephone calls kept asking, message on the reverse side. During the used plastic than was needed for the “When is the City going to start recy- campaign, the central sorting process was community sign project. cling?” Fountain Valley officials realized again explained to provide a better under- A branch of the local Boys and Girls that its citizens were not reading the standing of how useful materials from the Club is now installing a recycled tire- brochures. Since City officials wanted to City’s waste stream are recycled. and-soda-bottle composite material ensure that further public education would Fountain Valley’s project success hinged for its gym floor. be productive, they had to devise a way to on a wide-reaching, recurring advertising The Fountain Valley Women’s Club generate high interest. campaign using schools, newspapers, tele- now performs volunteer service on visions and countless merchants. To keep the environmental front. enthusiasm high, Fountain Valley also Scouts, church and other youth chose to weave a special contest into the groups of all kinds call the City asking program, offering group prizes (computer for environmental work projects. systems and VCRs - donated by local The Police Department is planning vendors) to the schools bringing in the a new shooting range which will most plastics per capita. This multi-media model new uses for millions of advertising touted an ever-present recy- pounds of recycled materials. cling message and the school challenge The intergenerational community kept community interest high. effort to acquire the monument signs has dramatically boosted civic pride. Clearly, The Great Fountain Valley Bottle Roundup and Monument Sign Project impacted personal behavior. But far beyond closing the recycling loop and bridging the participation gap, The Great Fountain Valley Bottle Roundup and Monument Sign Project outshine conven- tional educational programs because they: Stretched beyond the traditional Achieved multiple benefits Used hands-on learning to burn in life-long lessons Clean Your Files Day, Public Outreach The City of Irving

Clean Your Files Day Commodities accepted at each station Steps of Preparation for the Clean Earth Day, April 22, 1997 marked the include aluminum and steel food cans; Your Files Day first year that the city of Irving participat- newspaper (including advertising slicks); 1) Notification to U.S. Conferenceof ed in The Clean Your Files Day Program. magazines and catalogs; old corrugated card- Mayors board; junk mail; paperboard boxes; glass We were accepted as a “first level Demographics bottles and jars; old telephone books; plas- community” because of our location in The city of Irving has a population of tics #1 and #2; non-ferrous metals; comput- the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, our size 165,000 people, with approximately 60% er and white ledger paper and old textiles and our enthusiasm. of the population living in multi-family (rags and clothing too worn for donation). 2) Audience definition dwellings. Irving’s business demographics Any individual or business, which may consist of 8,200 retail, commercial, indus- Participation in the Clean Your Files Day utilize Irving’s drop-off recycling centers, trial and hotel entities. Thirty companies Program would be included in the target audience. have over 500 employees with the largest Irving takes pride in its award winning We incorporated the Clean Your Files Day firms being Abbott Laboratories and solid waste reduction programs, and heavi- Program within the city’s in-house recy- Fidelity Investments. ly promotes them. Some of these programs cling program. We led the way, by setting include the annual Christmas Tree Round- the example. We encouraged other busi- Existing Program History Up, the Irving Master Composter Program nesses to do the same. These statistics have heavily influenced (backyard composting program), celebra- 3) Sponsors were selected the direction Irving has taken to provide tion of Texas (now America) Recycles Day, City of Irving; U.S. Post4 Service - efficient and economically feasible solid an in-house, municipality-wide, recycling Irving Branch; Rock-Tenn Recycling; waste minimization opportunities. The program, Keep Irving Beautifd Program Resource Rescue Inc.; and Keep Irving choice recycling program, implemented (Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful (at that time referred to Irving in 1991, which both residents and busi- Beautiful affiliate), Irving Council for the Beautification, Inc.). nesses participate in, is the attended drop- Environment (a committee catering to 4) Logistics off recycling system. Irving has five staffed the environmental educational needs of All five recycling drop-off centers were drop-off centers located in highly trafficked the business community in Irving), partici- opened from 1O:OO a.m. - 6:OO p.m. on a areas of Irving. Contractor Resource Res- pation in Irving community events, the special day to accept all recyclables. All of cue Inc. of Dallas, Texas operates them. development of special environmental Irving’s municipal buildings were included Each center is opened 40 hours per week events, production of newsletters and in the program. A local business had sev- and functions with a high level of service tabloids and much more. eral choices - if they had an existing in- to the recycling customer. Customers drive It was only natural to eagerly adopt house recycling program, they were en- up to the center and are assisted by the the Clean Your Files Day Program as a couraged to participate in the program. attendant in the removal of recyclables continued extension of Irving’s already If the business wanted to set up an in- from the vehicle. In a matter of minutes aggressive recycling program. house recycling program, the city would they are ready to drive on to their next assist with direction, and to provide a destination. limited number of 8 yard collection units at various businesses on a first come, first serve basis for the collection of mixed ofice paper. This service would be pro- vided by the city at no charge. 5) Publicize the event Public Outreach The City of Irving has a very progres- The Mayor was involved through the Irving Beautification, Inc., is a grass- sive drop-off and cashless buyback-recy- Postal Service and was the first Mayor of roots, nonprofit organization dedicated to cling program. The drop-off program Irving to be sworn in as an honorary Post- preserving the health and prosperity of our consists of five attended centers, located master for a day. A special stamp cancella- community by taking a leadership role in in high trafficked areas of the city, provid- tion was developed by the Post Ofice for educating community members on im- ing particular benefit to the more than 60 this special occasion. The Mayor also read a proving waste handling practices through percent of Irving’s population which live Proclamation during city council session reducing, reusing, and recycling. An affili- in multi-family housing. During the past proclaiming Earth Day, Aprii 22, as Clean ate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep year, Irving collected and recycled the fol- Your Files Day. The U.S. Postal Service and Texas Beautiful, Irving Beautification Inc. lowing: the Ft. Worth Star Telegram covered the and the Public Health and Environmental Approximately 5,000 Christmas event. Other components of our media Services Department at the City of Irving trees (in both a curbside and drop-off campaign included special promotion of “carry the message” of waste minimization program) the event at TU Electric’s Energy Park Day and recycling through a wide variety of 1,308 tons of uncompacted recy- the week prior, dissemination of press releas- public consciousness vehicles. Our aware- clable materials (equating to 7,930 es to area media, notices sent to area busi- ness campaign is aggressive; the results, cubic yards) nesses, information in newsletters and the impressive. From the Headlines segment Thousands of expired telephone local newspaper (Irving News), coverage by of Jay Leno’s Tonight Show (March 3, books Irving’s Community Television Network, 1997, with 5,705,840 viewers) to bill- Chipped, for beneficial use, more printed information in Irving’s citizen’s boards on Dallas Area Rapid Transit than 3,224 tons of brush (uncompact- newsletter - the City Spectrum (circulation (DART) buses and slides projected at local ed-19,540 cubic yards) of over 80,000), print ads, thousands of fly- movie theaters, during the past year virtu- The City additionally collected curb- ers, advertisement on the local movie screens ally millions of people nationwide have side, every 7 - 10 days, and recycled 458 (fourteen screens) and of course word of heard about the recycling efforts in Irving. tons of bulky items such as appliances mouth (which in Irving, travels fist!). (uncompacted - 2,776 cubic yards). Unique to its recycling program, the Results City offers an “on call” service for the col- In our one day, eight hour event, lection of “special waste” such as automo- we collected and recycled 5 tons of fiber tive oil, oil filters, tires, lead acid batteries, (drop-off centers only). Because of the anti-freeze, and paint. A total of 30 tons of design of our collection methodology from oil and auto batteries (uncompacted - 182 both our drop-off recycling centers and cubic yards), 1,200 oil filters, and 2,668 our municipal buildings, we were unable tires were recycled during the last year. to collect other weight data (we have weekly collection of this material instead of daily collection). What does the future hold for the Clean Your Files Day Program in Irving? Irving is committed to this program and has decided to keep the Clean Your Files Day Program as an annual Earth Day activity each year. Our goal in 1998- 8 TONS OR MORE! As a leader in demonstrating and We consider educating Irving youth practicing recycling, the city’s municipal on the importance of their commitment ofices have an in-house recycling program to waste minimization to be a major factor matched by none. Each employee is out- in the future success of the City’s recycl- fitted with a recycling receptacle (14-21 ing efforts. In response to this challenge, quart in size) as well as a trash collection countless hours are spent developing pro- unit which is generally no larger than grams that will attract student involvement seven quarts (half to two-thirds smaller in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mandate set than the average trash receptacle). The by the City. The City’s Waste Minimi- city not only recycles mixed ofice paper, zation Coordinator and Beautification but also paperboard boxes, telephone Coordinator worked together to perform books, corrugated boxes, light ballasts, more than 90 seminars, tours, speeches, automotive wastes, and some Styrofoam. and K-12 presentations, reaching 4,216 The city’s internal program recycled students and 1,750 adults. Members of approximately 156 tons of fiber (uncom- City staff and Irving Beautification Inc. pacted - 945 cubic yards) during the year. participated in 33 major community-wide events where environmental games and tabletop displays of recycling materials were used to impress nearly 93,000 resi- dents of Irving about their responsibility in recycling. Clean Your Files Day ~ The City of Los Angeles

City Facilities Recycling Program City Facilities Recycling Program coor- Issues a follow-up letter by Mayor (CFRP) is the lead agency responsible dinates the following CYFD activities to Riordan to all Department and Bureau for organizing and promoting “Clean boost participation by various sectors: Heads commending City employees for Your Files Day” (CYFD). The annual Instructs City Controller to print a their support and efforts during the cam- “Clean Your Files Day” was expanded in CYFD message on City employee pay- paign; and to recognize high tonnage 1996 to include the month of April, thus roll checks a week before start-date. generated by Departments. encompassing California Governor Pete Develops a series of flyers and guides Each Earth Day, CFRP conducts Wilson’s proclamation designating April 2 on CYFD. a Recycling Fair and a quiz to deter- as “National Records Information Man- Prints 17” x 24” posters for posting mine the level of recycling awareness agement Day”. CFRP combined the two on bulletin boards, on easels at lobby of City employees. events and billed it as “National Records areas, and in office areas where City A 500-lb bale of paper is placed on Review and Clean Your Files Month. employees congregate. exhibit to dramatize recycling. Said bale CFRP provides extensive office recy- Commissions the creation of large was used as base of a wood table con- cling in 500 facilities throughout the City. banners to be placed at entrances to structed for a Council member. With 36,000 City employees in geographi- major City buildings. The success of CYFD for the City of cally dispersed City-owned and leased Develops and distributes press kits, Los Angeles is due to the existing office buildings, CYFD presents unique oppor- including the Mayor’s Public Service recycling infrastructure and outreach pro- tunities to maximize office paper recycling. Announcement, to local network affili- gram that effectively incorporates Citywide Richard Riordan, Mayor of Los Angel- ates for broadcasting. and nationwide events. es, fully supports “Clean Your Files Day.” Writes and distributes press releases His involvement helped CFRP produce for local press media for publication. a Public Service Announcement (PSA) Provides departmental recycling coor- where he encourages City employees and dinators with post-event tracking forms the public to “clean their files and recycle.” to record the amount of paper recycled Leading by example, the Mayor is shown and amount of file space recovered. In tossing recyclable paper into a recycling 1997, 120 tons were recycled, a 27% bin, thus highlighting the CYFD message. increase from the previous year. Each April, Mayor Riordan issues a letter Conducts a tour of the City’s Records to City Department Heads delineating and Archives Center to dramatize the the events surrounding CYFD. The Mayor need to review records and recycle obso- articulates the idea that “cleaning your files lete documents. is more than just recycling paper; it is an Effectively networks with 250 De- opportunity to insure that recyclable feed- partment Coordinators on program im- stock is available for manufacturers to use plementation; coordinates with City for their products.” staff working with commercial accounts to encourage the same level of partici- pation for this sector. Commercial Recyclinq Proqrams, Public Outreach City of San Jose, Culifornia

Commercial Recycling Programs The first building to participate in After implementation of the new recy- The City of San Jose is currently focus- the pilot was a 226,000 square foot office cling program, increases in recycling rates ing its commercial outreach efforts on building in the downtown area of San at the building were dramatic. Before the assisting the property managers of large Jose. The building had an existing recy- pilot, an estimated seven tons of mixed office buildings in setting up recycling cling program, but it was not promoted, office paper and cardboard were collected programs. The overall goal of the cam- nor was it utilized by the majority of ten- per month. After the program was imple- paign is to establish recycling programs in ants. City staff provided a wide range mented, an average of nine tons of paper all office buildings over 75,000 square feet of assistance in setting up a new recycling were collected per month. In addition, by June 30, 1999, resulting in a diversion program, including: the cost for garbage service was reduced of at least 25% of waste from the landfill. The development of tenant surveys to by approximately $1,000 per month, or The initial step in this campaign was determine their attitudes and motivational $12,000 per year. The building’s waste di- to involve several property managers in a factors concerning recycling. version rate went from an estimated 38% roundtable discussion to identify barriers Research on garbage and recycling before the pilot, to 50% within two to implementing recycling programs and rates available from the city’s private months of the start of the pilot program. ways in which City staff could assist in haulers and recyclers. A follow-up to the implementation of overcoming those barriers. Following the Educational materials for tenants, the program will occur in January 1998, roundtable, several property managers including memos and fact sheets. involving the distribution of a memo agreed to participate in a pilot program, Desktop and under-the-desk recy- thanking the building employees for their in which City staff would provide hands- cling containers. participation and sharing the successes of

011 assistance in implementing recycling Posters and signage promoting the program and promotional items such programs at their properties. A pilot study recycling. as mouse pads and note cubes will be giv- was initiated in June 1997. Meetings and coordination with en out to serve as an on-going reminder the janitorial staff. to maintain recycling efforts. On-site assistance with the recycling The Staff anticipates having recycling program’ s kickoff event. programs implemented in two more build- A display booth during the program’s ings by March to complete the pilot phase kick-off. of the office building recycling campaign. Promotional items with recycling In June of 1998, staff will hold a work- messages. shop targeting managers of the 50 largest office buildings in San Jose, where partici- pants in the pilot will share their experi- ences, and attendees will be able to meet local haulers and recyclers and identify those that best serve their needs.

41 Environmental Responsibility City of Wsaliu, California

In 1989, the State of California passed The next task was to develop a collec- The City of Visalia is a proven leader in the Integrated Waste Management Act of tion vehicle that would accept waste and the recycling industry Other communities 1989, mandating 25% waste reduction commingled recyclables into two separate in California are using this patented, split- goals for all California cities by 1995; 50 chambers. Ruckstell California Sales solicit- container program and inquiries have come percent reduction by the year 2000. ed the help of the Heil Company’s engi- from across the country as well as from After different recycling pilot programs, neering staff to work with the development Thailand, Australia, Canada and Russia. the City entered into a public-private part- team. The result: A dual compartment nership with Ruckstell California Sales truck divided horizontally. The upper 1997 Honors and Awards (represented by Mr. Dick Townley) to de- chamber accepts commingled recyclables, League of California Cities, “Helen velop a fully automated co-collection sys- the lower chamber accepts refuse. Indepen- Putnam Award for Excellence” tem with the following goals: dent studies have proven that there is less California Resource Recovery Develop a compartmentalized auto- than 3% cross-contamination during the Association, “Innovation in mated collection vehicle and compart- split-container dumping process. Government” Award mentalized automated container to The first pilot route using the new sys- Institute of Local Self Reliance, accept residential refuse and commin- tem was implemented in 1991 and ser- Washington, DC, “Community Record- gled recyclables seperately viced 400 residential customers. An exten- Setters Show How” The co-collection system should be sive public education campaign was under- capable of maintaining route productivity taken, and over the next six weeks, City The system must be user friendly and staff and Dick Townley routinely walked environmentally responsible door-to-door to respond to resident’s ques- The development team designed a split- tions and solicited their imput for possible container based on a waste characterization improvements to the program. Residen- study which showed that the average tial surveys indicated a 98% acceptance household could recycle an average 75% rate. Residents also suggested ways to im- of their waste. A 110 gallon split-container prove the container design. Suggestions - 55 gallons for residential refuse and 55 were reviewed and passed on to the manu- gallons for commingled recyclables -was facturer, who in turn, made the necessary developed. The container has a fixed verti- modifications to the split-container design. cal double walled divider, two separate lids Based on the results of the pilot program, and two wheels that are all manufactured the City Council gave approval to imple- with 50% post-consumer polyethylene. ment the program citywide. The City has received a patent for it‘s a In April 1996, the City of Visalia was split-container design. fully implementing the program; by June 1997 Visalia achieved a 58% residential recycling rate, surpassing the State’s year 2000 mandate. Improved Recycling Rates Horizon Air

Horizon Air is a Seattle-based regional Several locations serve as system-wide The success of Horizon’s recycling pro- airline formed in May of 1981. In sixteen models for Horizon’s recycling efforts. gram is largely due to an aggressive educa- years, Horizon has grown to be the sixth Portland, Horizon’s main operations base, tion program. Newsletters include recy- largest regional airline in the United has increased recycling 33% between 1996 cling updates, flight attendants learn “how States. Horizon currently serves 37 cities and 1997. At Horizon’s 300-employee to recycle on the aircraft” in initial and in five Pacific Northwest states and two corporate office in Seattle, 50% of the recurrent training, and food and beverage Canadian provinces, employs more than office’s total waste is recycled, including agents are trained to “reclaim, repack, 3,000 airline professionals, operates over mixed office paper (more than 50,000 and reuse.” Horizon has an environmental 600 daily flights with a fleet of 60 jet and pounds per year), newspaper, aluminum, manual. Ground service and maintenance turboprop aircraft, and serves more than cardboard, toner cartridges, and yard personnel review the material in annual 3,500,000 customers annually. waste. The Food and Beverage depart- recurrent training classes. Finally, there is Horizon’s recycling program has seen ment, a driver in the company’s recycling a Corporate Recycling Committee with a dramatic growth since its inception in efforts, has not increased trash costs since mission to “promote recycling awareness 1988. By 1993, the program earned 1995, despite a seven percent increase in and motivate others to do the right thing Horizon the distinction of being the only passenger volume in the past two years. for our environment.” The committee regional airline nominated by the Inter- They recycle pallets, plastics 1-7, glass, evaluates and recognizes employee efforts, national Food Service Association for a cardboard, aluminum, newspaper, mixed and distributes recycling information to recycling practices award. office paper, shrink wrap, and most recent- Horizon locations system-wide. All of Horizon’s major cities participate ly, wine corks. Horizon’s maintenance in recycling. Currently 32 of Horizon’s 37 department recycles tires, batteries, start- locations collect recyclable items for pick ers, used oil, used deicing fluid, scrap up by vendors or volunteers. Passengers metal, cardboard, office paper and alu- are also encouraged to participate. On minum. The Fleet Services department board the aircraft, flight attendants sepa- also participates. They initiated a drywash rate recyclables, and on the ground, clearly program to conserve water and electricity marked bins have been placed in boarding while cleaning aircraft exteriors. areas to help sort aluminum and newspa- Innovative market development has per from other waste. also expanded recycling opportunities. Local vendors are supplied with recy- clable/reusable boxes for product delivery. Food vendors have been required to change packaging to reduce waste, and Horizon napkins are made from recycled product. Food service items are served in reusable baskets; all galley items are reclaimed; and perishable items are donat- ed to local food banks. The resulting food waste is almost zero. Public Outreach ~ Towson University/AMARK Campus Services

With both a name change and expan- Membership in the Baltimore Internship Program sion of the campus during 1997, Towson County Adopt-A-Road Program This program, established with the University has its eyes set on the future. This program requires a commitment University Career Center, highlights two Along with this physical growth, came an to maintain a stretch of roadway on a projects. The first is an ongoing gathering increased environmental commitment to the quarterly basis, by collecting both refuse of information concerning the feasibility campus and to the surrounding community. and recyclables. We have adopted three of an invessel composting program on To this end, much of our focus has roads in our surrounding community. campus. The second project is intended to been towards innovation and awareness. raise the awareness of the university popu- We realized early that recycling is a multi- Kids C.A.R.E. (Creating a Recycling lation concerning the recycling program as faceted responsibility; it's much more than Environment) well as to continually research marketing simply collecting bottles, cans, and paper. Local students, grades 4-8, create opportunities. TU experienced a 21% increase in the unique recycling boxes to be used in build- Recycling Realities amount of materials recycled this year, ings on the TU campus. This program fur- Bi-weeMy info-ads, Recycling Realities, totaling 740 tons. Increases were achieved thers our goals to increase participation are published in the university newspaper. in the following categories: and awareness on campus and to forge a These ads are subtle reminders designed to Paper 12% link between local grade schools and the raise student awareness and increase concern Concrete 33% university's recycling program. for both recycling and the environment. Mixed Yard Waste 35% Pallets 51% EarthDay Scrap Metal 137% For Earth Day, we set up a display table Donations 355% with recycling information, contests, prizes, Perhaps our greatest satisfaction from and free giveaways. Fifty pine tree seedlings the past year has come from the innova- were handed out to students with the pro- tions that exemplify our overall environ- mise that they be planted, while an addi- mental philosophy. The programs utilized tional 50 seedlings were given to TU'S stu- this year include: dent environmental group for an organized tree planting on campus. Charitable Donations Networking with local non-profit Student Volunteer Program organizations enabled us to donate over Our volunteer program for develop- 19 tons of material this year. Donations mentally delayed students from area ranged from beds and dressers used in schools is in its second year. These stu- establishing housing for the homeless dents work side by side with other mem- to food, clothing, furniture, and building bers of the recycling program in collecting, supplies for shelters, soup kitchens, and sorting, and transporting the various recy- schools. We were able to donate to 13 clables. This program has proven to be a different nonprofit organizations. great success in providing the students with an opportunity to enhance both their social skills and work habits. The DMA Robert Rodale Recycler of the Year, Employee Education and Outreach, Public Outreach The United States Postal Service Environmental Overview The United States Postal Service con- Employee Education and Outreach In 1993, the United States Postal tinuously strives to refine and develop its Last year, the United States Postal Service, USPS, launched an effort to inte- recycling program, mail products and stan- Service embarked on a program to in- grate environmental decision making into dards so that they do not adversely affect form employees about the importance daily operations. The Seven Guiding Prin- our business or the environment. These of recycling by forming a unique “Green ciples were published, and an Enviroc- efforts focus on both pre-consumer and Team” whose goal was to educate its mental Strategic Plan was drafted to carry post-consumer waste streams and applica- approximately 800,000 employees and out the initiatives set forth by the Seven tions. Our accomplishments for the Postal their friends and families about the Postal Guiding Principles. Service Recycling Program are covered in Service’s recycling accomplishments. Since 1993, there have been numerous the following areas for FY 1997 The Green Team, as the employee examples of Environmental Leadership as Recycling programs education and outreach team was called, a recycler, a marketer and an innovator of Environmentally benign pressure placed environmental articles in the Postal recycling at both the national and the sensitive adhesive system Service’s national magazine, Postal Life, local levels. Postal Service creates “Greening in its 10 area newsletters, and in its direct the Mail” Task Force messages to employees. The team provid- Postal Service recycles mail into ed stand-up talks for employees and spe- compost soil cial kits for postmasters to disseminate Postal Service converts recycled environmental messages to employees mail into compost soil throughout the organization. Through Doing the “write stuff” for the envi- this education and outreach effort, ronment: USPS makes pencils from employees would come to know the recycled mail United States Postal Service as one of Postal Service to distribute recyclable the nation’s largest recyclers with more lobby bins than 20,000 recycling locations collectively Coils Stamps shedding liner; Postal recycling more than one million tons of Service expands environmental efforts waste-paper, cardboard, plastics, cans and Postal Service goes green with envi- other materials each year and purchasing ronmental envelope $160 million worth of products made Expedited mail and packaging pro- from recyclable materials. gram goes green Recycle and reuse activities at new breed equipment processing center, Greensboro, North Carolina By informing employees about Na- The Green Team publicized several Public Outreach tional Clean Your Files Day and America other recycling projects, including ways Realizing that informing postal Recycles Day, the USPS helped create a to recycle mail that is undeliverable or customers, and the community about greater awareness of the importance of non-forwardable. Two unique programs recycling issues would create increased recycling. The Green Team prepared to accomplish this include making pencils awareness of the importance of recycling NEWSBWAKS, which are up-to-the- and compost soil from recycled mail. and preserving the environment, and minute news releases disseminated to Other recycling accomplishments the understanding that awareness leads to postal facilities throughout the nation, Green Team brought to the attention action, the Postal Service formed a unique postmaster kits, and other materials to of employees through its programs are: public relations “Green Team” last year publicize these events and make employees The fact that the USPS is the nation’s whose goal was to inform the community aware of that the Postal Service operates largest user of recycled motor oil and and customers at its 40,000 retail offices one of the largest and most successful re-tread tires about the Postal Service’s recycling and recycling programs. In addition the Green The fact that the USPS made waste environmental accomplishments. Team prepared press releases, radio tours, containers for recyclable mail that are Thousands of column inches and postmaster kits, and ocher materials to themselves recyclable. millions of dollars in air and television make the community aware of the impor- The Postal Service has long been a time later, through this public outreach tance of recycling. leader in preserving the environment and effort the world would come to know The Green Team also publicizes how recycling is the cornerstone of its environ- that the United States Postal Service as the USPS turns waste into revenue, thus mental program. It is committed to edu- one of the world’s largest recyclers with making recycling profitable. By taking mail cating and informing its employees about more than 20,000 recycling locations out to post offices and bringing back unde- and encouraging them to recycle at home nationwide. The USPS recycles more liverable mail and other materials for recy- as well as at work. The Postal Service is than one million tons of materials and cling to the central plants with the same serious about making the world a safer purchases more than $1 GO million worth vehicles (referred to as back-hauling), and and cleaner place for its employees and of recycled products each year. by contracting directly with recycling firms, all of the citizens of the world. By pro- This strategic and focused communi- a former waste disposal expense has become moting environmental stewardship target- cations Green Team embarked on a pro- a revenue generating business, which made ing important environmental issues such active public outreach campaign, creating more than $8 million last year. as recycling and its commitment to the an editorial calendar, targeting important idea of protecting the environment for recycling events of the year, around which future generations, the Green Team has it formed its communications plan. The made a vital contribution to our national team generated news stories and articles recycling and environmental efforts. in thousands of newspapers, conducted national radio tours, and obtained national and international coverage of recycling issues on CNN and other networks.