It Is Time To Reimagine Waste
This Earth Day, we are putting the focus on ZERO WASTE.
Zero Waste is an international movement of communities, businesses, and residences aligned around the ideal goal of achieving 90%+ diversion of waste from landfill and incineration.
Are you ready to go Zero Waste? Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, Minneapolis and other cities are adopting Zero Waste plans, and New York City has adopted a 90% diversion from landfill goal by 2030.
The goal of a zero waste economy? To generate less waste, use less materials, and make sure that whatever we produce can become a resource that others can reuse.
The key is to reimagine the possibilities of “waste.”
- Think of waste as a resource that is out of place.
- Think of a waste stream as a value stream.
Shouldn’t you take a second look at what you throw away? Let’s start this Earth Day.
YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Congratulations! Your sustainability efforts are working. In 2015, the amount of paper and cardboard you recycled is equivalent to saving or avoiding the use of:
TAKE THE EARTH DAY QUIZ
RECYCLING GUIDELINES
Unsure of how to recycle?
Download your building’s Silverstein 2016 Recycling Program Guidelines (get the Silverstein 2016 Recycling Visual Guide) to see details of what to recycle in each category. Or click here to get more tips.
Need help setting up your office recycling program?
Download the Silverstein 2016 Tenant Guide to learn about about bin placements, signage, where to purchase green supplies, how to arrange for pick-up of e-waste and other materials that should not be thrown in the trash.
Need more signs and decals?
Use this Silverstein 2016 Decal Order Form
Questions?
email: recycling@greatforest.com
REMEMBER…
MOST COFFEE CUPS ARE NOT RECYCLABLE
Switch to reusable cups
* The average American office worker uses about 500 disposable cups every year.
30-SECOND RECYCLING TIP VIDEOS
What type of paper can you recycle?
Why flatten cardboard?
YOUR BLUEPRINT FOR A ZERO WASTE OFFICE
Are you ready? Here are a few tips on what you can do to start your personal and professional journey towards Zero Waste.
1) Track waste data, schedule a waste audit or assessment
You cannot manage what you can’t measure. Tracking your waste lets you know the volume of waste and recycling you are generating, while scheduling a waste audit or assessment will give you a better idea of what you are actually throwing away and recycling during a given period so you can spot inefficiencies. Ask your office sustainability manager to schedule a waste audit or call Great Forest.
2) Understand your waste stream
Once you know what you are throwing away, you can ask why and begin to work to solve the problem. Determine what you can eliminate, and prioritize waste reduction activities.
For example if your waste audit reveals that disposable coffee cups form a large portion of your office waste, it may be time to encourage everyone to bring in their own reusable mugs.
If you see your office waste and recycling bins overflowing with paper, check to see if they have been printed on both sides. If not, it may be time to program all printers to do double-sided printing.
3) Take Action and set goals
Start working first towards your own personal zero waste goals. To succeed we have to carry this zero waste mindset and behavior from home to work and back again. Set goals that you can achieve, then expand that success from your personal to the professional sphere.
4) Engage employees/colleagues, build a culture of sustainability
The most successful programs are the ones in which everyone is committed. Sustainability is a team effort.
5) Share your success and best practices
Get everyone excited. Show your colleagues, clients and friends that your efforts are working. Spread the news and watch others follow your lead.
Learn more:
EARTH DAY AND BEYOND
Ready for more? Find everything you need to to make a difference at our special EARTH DAY AND BEYOND day page – get videos, your green office sustainability checklist, and much more.