Waste, Recycling, Green Procurement

Waste, Recycling, and Green Procurement Strategies

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 September 2012 15:52

Every American generates an average of five pounds of trash per day.  The less waste we can generate, the better. Reducing waste and reusing products means using less raw materials, less energy, and generating less greenhouse gases. Whatever we can’t reduce or reuse, should be recycled or composted into new products. Green products are not toxic to people or the environment, are made locally from recycled materials, and are made to be reused or recycled when we are done with them.

As you know, recycling is now the law for residents, businesses and schools alike in Westchester County. Larger businesses, schools and institutions are also required to file a solid waste disposal and recycling plan with the county every three years. But in addition to what businesses are required to do by law, there are many other practices which can significantly enhance a business's green recycling program, some of which are listed below.

Use our interactive scorecard and refer to the county's action plan to evaluate your progress to date in this area and get linked to specific tools and resources to help you implement the recommended actions below.   

	Audit your waste
		Conduct a waste audit, establish waste reduction goals, and assess progress against goals every 6 months, with a goal of achieving a 50% diversion rate.
	Write a green purchasing policy
		Develop a green purchasing policy to procure local green products where feasible, and circulate the policy to employees electronically.
	Green your products and packaging
		Find ways to green your products and reduce your packaging. Consider take-back options for your products and packaging.
	Purchase recycling bins
		Have individual recycling bins available at employee desks (or at a centralized location), and verify that the cleaning staff separates the recyclables from the trash.
	Reduce your paper piles
		Find out how much copier/printer paper your business uses and establish milestones to reduce paper use.
	Purchase post-consumer recycled copier/printer paper
		Purchase 30% to 100% post-consumer recycled copier / printer paper (processed chlorine free, PCF, if possible).
	Purchase post-consumer recycled paper products
		Purchase 30% to 100% post-consumer recycled paper products (i.e. paper towels, filing, envelopes, notepads, boxes, business cards, etc.) (processed chlorine free, PCF, or unbleached, if possible).
	Conserve paper - Use both sides
		Use double sided copying and printing as default on all capable machines and instruct staff with clear signage on usage.
	Say "no" to junk mail
		Unsubscribe to all junk mail and reduce the number of catalogs and newspapers sent to your business.
	Think before you print
		Circulate documents electronically instead of using paper-based memos or fax. Include this in your business policy.
	Eliminate paper towel waste
		Install hand dryers or continuous cloth hand dryers in the bathrooms to eliminate paper towel waste.
	Go beyond paper recycling
		Provide centralized recycling bins for cell phones, rechargeable batteries, used printer cartridges and alkaline batteries.
	Donate useable electronics, furniture, equipment, building materials, etc.
		Donate old electronics, furniture, equipment, and building materials.  If it’s not useable, recycle it.
	Purchase reusable kitchen supplies
		Eliminate the use of disposable cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and coffee stirrers and purchase durable, reusable kitchen-ware instead.
	Compost food scraps
		Implement a program to compost employee food scraps.
	Distribute refillable beverage containers, eliminate bottled water
		Distribute refillable water bottles and/or travel mugs to all employees. Install a drinking water filter system and eliminate use of bottled water.
	Use Green Seal certified (or equivalent) cleaners
		Use non-toxic cleaning products for better air quality and improved employee health.
	If remodeling, use Green Seal certified (or equivalent) paints
		Use non-toxic paints for better air quality and improved employee health.