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

Mohegan Indian Tribe of Connecticut’s Casino Waste Analysis

• 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?

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

Engage employees to capture ideas

Communicate and share best practices

Engage customers to be part of the solution

Use art to raise awareness

Create a toolkit to support and guide green teams

Break down borders (departments, divisions, etc.)

Involve building/facility services

Create campaign calendars (different topic each month?)

Encourage project ownership

Make it fun Show appreciation

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?