Materials Management
Materials Management

Recycling

Composting

Low Impact Development

Staff Green Teams

Environmental Messaging
Recycling: Oh the Possibilities!

Paper

Cardboard

Plastics

Aluminum

Scrap metal

Lightbulbs

Household Hazardous

Toner/Ink cartridges

Oil (kitchen or motor)

Food (composting)

Tires

Styrofoam

Cell phones

Plastic bags/film

Clothing

Crayons
Recycling: Benefits

Increase life of landfill

Reduce transportation/hauling cost

Save energy and virgin materials

Creates jobs

Reduce GHG emissions
Recycling: Why Don’t People Recycle?

They don’t know what to recycle

They don’t know where to recycle

It is not convenient for them
(when am I supposed to do this?)

Its too confusing or complicated
(how do I do this?)

They don’t realize the benefits
(why should I bother?)

They don’t care

Recycling options simply don’t
exist…yet
Recycling: What’s Your Role?

Solve the problem!

Answer their questions!

Get everyone involved!

Partnerships and collaborations will
get you everywhere!

Other departments

Local groups

Schools

Press releases
US EPA
Recycling: Where to Begin

Waste Audit!

Visual waste audit

Waste characterization

By weight

Contracted or done in-house
Recycling: Where to Begin

Decide on the type of program

Transfer Station

Drop off locations

Curbside Pickup

Material Recovery Facility
Recycling: Where to Begin

Find location/Facility

Building or trailers

Equipment
Balers
Horizontal balers
Recycling: Where to Begin

Funding

Tribe

Fee based

Grant funds
Recycling: Where to Begin

Hire and Train staff

Safety First!

Using equipment

Driving
Recycling: Where to Begin

Find buyers

Monthly bids

Multi-year contracts

Pick up vs. delivery

Single stream loads vs. mixed loads
Recycling: Markets…Ask Around!

Commodity Markets

Thermostat Recycling Corporation – www.thermostat-recycle.org

Kaps 4 Kids – www.kaps4kids.com – metal, plastic, wine corks

Crayons – www.crazycrayons.com

Light Bulbs – hardware stores, mail back programs, bulb eater

Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, grocery stores for plastic bag recycling

Cell Phones for Soldiers – www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Motor Oil – Automotive parts stores

Lions Club International Clubs – eye glasses

Clothing – American Textile Recycling Service, Red Cross, Salvation Army,
Goodwill,

Old rugs, blankets, towels – animal shelters

Furniture / Household Items – REUSE

Ink / Toner Cartridges – www.tonerbuyer.com and www.empties4cash.com,
Staples, Office Depot
Recycling: Where to Begin

Tracking!

You will not be successful or sustainable if you can not prove your
success/numbers. Keep track of all ins and outs.
Suggested Measures of Accomplishment:

% of paper and trash reduced,
composted, recycled or amount of
decreased tons to landfill

% of electronics recycled, donated or
reused (e.g. computers recycled)

% office supplies recycled (excluding
computers and electronics) such as % of
toner cartridges recycled, % of
batteries recycled, etc.
Food Operations: Food Waste
Food Operations: Food Waste
Food Operations:
Pre Consumer versus Post Consumer

Pre-consumer

Spoilage

Prep

Soiled paper, cardboard

Fats, oils, grease

Post-consumer

Leftovers (plates, buffet,
garnishes)

Paper napkins, cups, wrappers

Stirring sticks, coffee
grounds/filters, tea bags
Food Operations: Reduction Tips

Improve food preparation procedures in
the kitchen

Reduce the use of garnishes

Keep an eye on inventory of perishable
food

Provide a wider selection of portion sizes

Have a tray-less cafeteria (up to 30%
reduction)
Food Operations
Food Operations: Composting Programs

Curbside (food/yard)

Drop-off (food/yard)

Business only

Casino only

Educational
*Must complete needs assessment & waste
audit to know where to start!
Food Operations: Case Study
•
•
37.5% Of The Mohegan casino waste
stream was food waste
Review your hauling contract
 Do you pay by weight?
 Do you pay by container?
 Does your hauler discount for green
waste collection?
Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut’s Casino
Waste Analysis
Source: Waste Reduction Tips For Hotels and
Casinos in Indian Country, US EPA 2000
Food Operations:
Making the Business Case!

Reduced weight in the waste stream = less money for disposal

Reduced cost when ordering
Food Operations: Composting Types
Food Operations: Composting Types

Piles/Windrows

In-vessel Systems

Vermicomposting (Worms!)
Food Operations: Composting Types

Piles/Windrows

In-vessel Systems

Vermicomposting (Worms!)
Food Operations: Composting Types

Piles/Windrows

In-vessel Systems

Vermicomposting (Worms!)
Food Operations: Concerns

Access to water

Complaints: Odor (even if it isn’t true!)

Permits

Ordinances

Zoning

Critters
Food Operations: Funding

Get creative!

Agricultural

Recycling/Waste

GAP

Pollution Prevention

Source Reduction

Health

USDA

Partnerships

Transfer station

Staff from other departments
Low Impact Development
Low Impact Development

an approach to land development (or
re-development) that works with
nature to manage stormwater as close
to its source as possible

can be applied to new development
or as retrofits to existing development

can be used at a wide range of
landscape scales in place of, or in
addition to, more traditional
stormwater control elements

Goal: stormwater and slow it down,
spread it out, and soak it in.
Low Impact Development
Low Impact Development:
Additional Benefits

Reduced and delayed stormwater runoff
volumes

Enhanced groundwater recharge

Stormwater pollutant reductions

Reduced sewer overflow events

Additional wildlife habitat & recreational
space

Increased land values

Less splash, spray, ponding, noise, and
pollutants coming off permeable pavements

Can be less expensive than other
infrastructure, especially long term

More aesthetically pleasing

Makes communities more resilient
Low Impact Development: Funding

Look for:

Stormwater Grant Program

Nonpoint Source Pollution (Section 319)

Urban Water Small Grants

Green Infrastructure

Brownfields

Clean Water

Low Impact Development

Water to River

Urban Runoff
Green Teams
Toons4Biz
Green Teams

self-organized, grassroots groups of
employees who voluntarily (usually)
come together to identify and
implement solutions to help their
organization be more environmentally
sustainable

Usually accomplished through: policy
changes, larger scale transformation of
production and operations, education
and employee behavior changes

Often started by an active employee

Typically one representative from each
department will participate (a good
size group is seven to ten)
Green Teams: Making the Business Case

Cost savings by integrating energy efficiency into the workplace and products
and services

Attracting and retaining the best and brightest talent who want to work for
companies with an authentic green commitments

Increased market share and revenues resulting from a stronger brand and
new, innovative green products and services.
Green Teams: Best Practices


Start with the visible and
tangible: focus on internal
operations
Get senior management
involved, but don't lose the
grassroots energy

Create a toolkit to support and
guide green teams

Break down borders
(departments, divisions, etc.)

Involve building/facility
services

Engage employees to capture
ideas

Create campaign calendars
(different topic each month?)

Communicate and share best
practices

Encourage project ownership

Engage customers to be part
of the solution

Make it fun

Show appreciation

Use art to raise awareness
Green Teams: Getting Started

Find a leader (you!)

Prepare for the first meeting



Find a time/space

Invite others

Set agenda (potential projects)
First Meeting

Brainstorm

Prioritize Goals

Take Notes!
Keep the Momentum Going!
Environmental Messaging
Environmental Messaging:
Delivering the Message

"Help the hotel save energy," focusing on the benefit to the hotel.

"Help save the environment," emphasizing environmental protection.

"Partner with us to help save the environment," centering on environmental
cooperation.

"Help save resources for future generations," highlighting the benefit to
future generations.

"Join your fellow citizens in helping to save the environment," focusing on the
descriptive norm.
Environmental Messaging

More than 75% of U.S. hotels have linen and towel reuse programs

59% have guest or internal recycling programs

46% have a water-saving program

Some hotels give guests a %5 voucher for each day they decline
housekeeeping

No matter the price point, no hotelier can afford to lose a guest because he
or she doesn't like the way a hotel communicates its message.
Questions?