Page 177 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

STEP 7: DETERMINE, EVALUATE, AND SELECT WASTE MINIMIZATION ALTERNATIVES 155

material changes, or product changes. The following list provides commonly applied
waste reduction and reuse opportunities that many companies have successfully
implemented. Most of these are relatively low cost and are considered the low-hanging
fruit, or simple to launch:

■ Office paper—Many easy options exist to reduce office paper usage, including
implementing an organization-wide double-sided copying policy (set the defaults of
copiers and printers to print double-sided), reuse old paper as scratch paper, put
company bulletins in electronic form (e-mail), centralize files to reduce redundant
copies, save files electronically versus hard copy, and donate old magazines to hos-
pitals or other organizations.
■ Packaging—Order merchandise in bulk, work with suppliers to minimize packing
materials, establish a reuse policy for cardboard boxes, implement returnable con-
tainers, and reuse shredded newspaper as packing material.
■ Equipment—Use rechargeable batteries, reuse old tires for landscaping or pave-
ment, install reusable filters, donate old furniture, and sell obsolete equipment and
computers.
■ Organic waste—Compost yard trimmings, choose low-maintenance landscape
designs, and use mulching mowers.
■ Inventory/purchasing—Set up an area in the facility where employees can
exchange used items, purchase more durable products, order in bulk to reduce pack-
aging supplies, and use a waste exchange program.

Before discussing the alternatives, a brief synopsis of common recyclable materials
is provided:

■ Paper products (high-grade paper, newspaper, computer printout, colored ledger,
corrugated cardboard, envelopes)
■ Glass (separated by color)
■ Plastics (virtually all plastic is recyclable, and classified by one of seven types)
■ Metals (most metals are recyclable, including both ferrous and nonferrous metals,
aluminum, steel, tin cans, and bimetal containers)
■ Compost materials (food scraps and yard trimmings)
■ Batteries (lead acid and household)

Purchasing options fall into special category because they can encompass preven-
tion, reuse, and recycling alternatives, but are specifically related to purchasing
changes. These include buying supplies with reduced packaging to careful inventory
control to avoid over ordering and possibly throwing away perishable items. In addi-
tion, the need for favoring products made with recycled content also may be noted.
The team may need to have meetings with suppliers and vendors to discuss viable
options that would meet organizational criteria. After the team has identified opportu-
nities to purchase recycled products and products that can aid the company in reduc-
ing waste, each item should be rated in terms of availability and cost. Comparisons
should also be made in terms of the life cycle of the product, not initial cost only.