| intern
summary |
|
 |
Waste Reduction Measures for a Multitenant
Commercial Building
Background
In June 1993, an internship
project was funded to find opportunities for businesses in
a multitenant building to reduce solid waste through source
reduction and recycling. The internship was sponsored by the
Minnesota Office of Waste Management (OWM), the Waste Reduction
Institute for Training and Research (WRITAR), and the Minnesota
Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP).
The multitenant building selected
was the University Technology Center (UTEC), which houses
over 140 diverse businesses. When the intern started, UTEC
already had a recycling program in place for over one year.
Through this program, recycling bins had been placed in opposite
corners on each of the four floors in the building to facilitate
and encourage volunteer tenant participation in recycling
glass, cardboard, beverage cans and office paper. Most tenants
participated in the volunteer recycling program, but were
often unsure about what materials could be recycled.
Project
Goals
Project goals were to: 1) establish a new recycling program
(by making modifications to the existing program); 2) evaluate
UTEC's existing recycling efforts and its effectiveness in
reducing waste volume; 3) provide information and training
(education) to tenants on solid waste source reduction and
recycling; and 4) implement waste reduction measures.
1.
Establish the UTEC Green Check Project
The MnTAP Intern worked with UTEC to establish the UTEC
Green Check Project. The project consisted of: securing UTEC
management support for source reduction and recycling projects;
analyzing existing tenant recycling efforts; and providing
education and training to tenants on source reduction and
recycling techniques for office situations.
Letter of Support. UTEC’s
manager wrote a letter to all tenants explaining the UTEC
Green Check Project and UTEC's support of the project. It
also explained what UTEC had done in the past, was doing currently
and would do in the future about its environmental policies
and goals. Tenants were encouraged to participate in and support
the project. The letter of support provided a strong sense
of management commitment.
Informational Display.
In addition to the letter of support, tenants were informed
about the UTEC Green Check Project through a three-panel,
tabletop display that emphasized several source reduction
tips. The display was placed in the UTEC lobby near the main
office. Along with the display, source reduction and recycling
information and handouts (fact sheets) were available to tenants
and their customers. A project description and an on-site
sample survey were also available to tenants who wanted to
learn more about the UTEC Green Check project or to volunteer
to help with the project.
The location of the display
near the main office allowed most tenants to see the display
as they collected their mail. Over 65 project descriptions
were distributed throughout the 4 weeks that the display was
set up.
In addition to the display,
tenants were solicited by going door-to-door and explaining
the project and benefits of solid waste source reduction and
recycling. Most of the tenants had already heard about the
project from co-workers or from the display information. Of
the 140 total tenants at UTEC, 19 volunteered to participate
in the project. The remaining tenants were not willing to
commit themselves to the project for various reasons, including
time requirements and lack of employee participation.
2.
Evaluate Existing Recycling Efforts
To find out the effectiveness of UTEC's existing recycling
program, the intern measured existing recycling efforts of
tenants, and tenant knowledge of the recycling program. Information
was gathered during site visits to help determine the amount
of source reduction and recycling that each business was currently
achieving.
On-site Evaluation and Assistance.
Site visits were conducted at the 19 participating businesses.
During the visits, the intern explained source reduction and
recycling techniques that each tenant could do to reduce the
amount of solid waste generated. Tenant interest in an intrabuilding
materials exchange and reuse program was also examined. Many
tenants practiced recycling at home, but did not carry the
habit to work; however, they were eager to learn what they
could do to reduce waste in their offices.
During site visits, the intern
analyzed and weighed the contents of each garbage bin in the
office. Weighing each employee’s refuse container was
a very effective method of showing the importance of reducing
and recycling. With this method, the intern could give suggestions
to each employee for reducing their waste and information
about what could be recycled.
Solid Waste Questionnaire:
A recycling and waste reduction questionnaire was sent out
to all tenants in the building. The survey asked tenants to
specify what UTEC could do to help them reduce and recycle
more of their solid waste, and how the current recycling program
at UTEC could be improved. The survey also asked what each
office was currently doing to reduce waste besides recycling.
Out of 90 surveys, 24 were
returned. Some suggestions for improving the current recycling
program included: establish a program to reuse packaging and
boxes; label recycling containers to clearly state what materials
are acceptable; establish a battery recycling program; and
provide recycling bins for offices. Another tenant suggested
that the main office charge less for double-sided photocopying
than for single-sided photocopying. Efforts were made to incorporate
tenant suggestions into a comprehensive solid waste recycling
and disposal system.
3. Provide Tenant Education/Training
Workshop: A lunchtime workshop was coordinated by the intern for tenants and management to learn more about solid waste source reduction. Thirteen tenants and one UTEC staff member attended the workshop. The workshop presentations were on the following subjects:
- UTEC Green Check Project update, including new policies on waste disposal at UTEC.
- The benefits of reducing waste through source reduction, along with examples of how other businesses have profited from source reduction.
- How to set up an office source reduction program, including tips on successful source reduction techniques.
- Alternate methods of transportation to work including bus riding and car pooling.
Solid waste source reduction
grab bags were also given out to the participants. These grab
bags included reusable mechanical pencils, binder clips and
diskette labels, recycled content file folders and Post-it
note fax transmittal memos.
4.
Implement Waste Reduction Measures
After collecting information on recycling preferences
and opportunities, the following waste reduction measures
were carried out through the UTEC Green Check Project.
TYVEK Envelope Recycling:
DuPont established a program to recycle durable envelopes
made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). A 3-x-3-foot, oversized
TYVEK envelope was placed in the UTEC main office to collect
used TYVEK envelopes from tenants for recycling. When the
collection envelope was filled, the used envelopes would be
sent to a recycling plant in Roseville, Minnesota. These envelopes
would then be ground and manufactured into new envelopes.
Packaging Materials Reuse
Program: A collection box for bubble wrap and foam peanuts
was placed near the main recycling bins at the UTEC loading
dock. The packaging materials were either reused by tenants
within the building or delivered to a nearby packaging company
for reuse. Approximately one 55-gallon bag was filled every
week.
Household Items and Clothing
Drive: As part of Minnesota's Waste Reduction Week, the
intern organized a three-day household item and clothing drive
with Goodwill Industries. This project encouraged source reduction
not only in the work place, but also in the home. Over 50
containers were filled with contributions of clothes and other
items from the tenants.
Recycling Bins: To encourage
recycling, UTEC management bought 200 desk-side recycling
bins to distribute to the tenants at no charge. The intern
produced a list of what could be placed in the bin according
to the guidelines set by the hauler and applied the list to
the side of the boxes for quick reference.
Recyclables Collection:
An in-office recycling program was established at UTEC. Tenants
with a full janitorial service contract had their recyclables
collected at no charge from a central location in their office
once a week. Noncontracted tenants could have their recyclables
collected once a week for a small fee. Because of the haulers
commingled recyclable collection system, tenants were required
to purchase two containers for the recyclables: one for steel,
aluminum, newspaper, office paper and plastics; and one for
glass. UTEC management agreed to pay 50 percent of the cost
of the recycling bins for each tenant.
Results
Garbage Collection: With increased source reduction
and recycling activity by the staff and tenants at UTEC, less
solid waste was put into the garbage dumpster. As a result,
garbage pickup was reduced from three times per week to twice
per week. This saved $180 per month or $2,160 annually in
waste disposal costs.
Recycling Collection:
Because of the increase in recycling activity, the recycling
bins were emptied three times per week instead of twice per
week. For the extra collection, the hauler charged UTEC an
extra $75 per month. However, UTEC still saved approximately
$105 per month, or $1,260 annually in reduced solid waste
disposal costs.
Continuing
Opportunities
Lessons learned from this project are similar to those
often identified in industry. Successful source reduction
and recycling efforts are best achieved through the following:
Management Support:
For a solid waste source reduction program to be effective
and successful, a commitment of full support must be made
by upper management. When tenants see a strong sense of support
and participation from the building staff, this encourages
them to follow their example. Management must be willing to
take the initiative to set an example for tenants to follow.
Communication: Communication
between management and tenants is the key to a successful
program. A monthly newsletter is an excellent opportunity
to establish this communication link. The newsletter could
include building events, new policies, reminders, source reduction
and recycling updates, and a materials exchange classified
section. A suggestion box could provide opinions and suggestions
from tenants for improving the current recycling program in
the building.
Posting Garbage Collection
Bills: An effective way to show tenants the cost of waste
they generate is to post monthly bills, such as garbage collection
bills. These bills also show the savings (if any) that result
from reducing or recycling solid waste.
Summary
Setting up a successful waste reduction and recycling
project in a multitenant commercial building requires ongoing
effort and communication between management and tenants. It
also requires creative thinking to finding recycling incentives
and outlets for recycled materials.
MnTAP has a variety of publications
available that provide information on establishing a source
reduction and recycling program, along with lists of outlets
for recycled materials. To request assistance or a copy of
MnTAP's Checklist of Printed
Resources, call 612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015 if calling
from greater Minnesota.
|
