Examples

Every business and organization has waste.  Waste comes in many forms and generally has an adverse impact on the organization in at least a few ways, if not many.

What we do at Renovos is start at the beginning which is generally the costs incurred for disposal.  As time goes on we begin to modify, tailor and dig deeper into the waste reduction opportunity to achieve results.  Disposal costs continue to rise, often at alarming rates.  Further, your spending money to throw things away that at minimum could reduce your current disposal costs, and potentially generate revenue for those materials.  Organizations are incurring significant expenses, and potentially missing out on revenue, often unnecessarily.

Every business and organization should develop a comprehensive waste program for one reason - it is good business!  Do it first because reducing costs is what every manager should be pursuing.

The other 'dividends' for developing and executing a waste program can be numerous.

Of course, like many things in life, 'saying' and 'doing' can often be very different.  Outsourcing this effort to an organization that has vast experience in effectively identifying the opportunities and generating results can often be an important key in a program's success.  A dedicated effort that not only can set up a program, but make sure it continues effectively, and continues to search for additional opportunities to reduce waste and improve your margins.

Business Solutions in Pursuit of Zero Waste     Renovos is an industry leader in waste consulting.

Example A - A large regional Food Processing company generated significant waste as a result of their business.  Over time, they had seen significant increases in their disposal costs.  They intuitively knew they were throwing our a lot more than they had too.  They also had seen some unanticipated spikes in they amount of waste and the associated costs which created some budgeting and business management issues.  With this, the company began a program on their own, and had seen some results. They knew that they could do even better and looked for some outside help.

Initially there were a number of significant opportunities to divert waste.  Some of the initial effort was concentrated on creating an environment that made the collection of waste easy for the companies staff.  Easy access containers that were color coded was one strategy employed to improve results.

Additionally an effort was made to find 'buyers' of the diverse waste stream that was being generated.  Costs, revenue, convenience amongst of a number of variables were considered and these relationships were created to affect the best results for all parties.  Food waste presents a few opportunities and a multi-tiered strategy was employed to create a desired result; 1).  if possible, the food was donated to organizations that could make use of it serving those in need; 2).  sending the remaining waste for feeding live stock; and last, 3).  the remaining food waste was used and mixed in most often with yard waste to create a better composting product.

The results of this five year program were dramatic.  On an annual basis 3,200 tons were diverted from landfill.   The disposal costs along were approximately $320,000 had they waste been sent to landfill.  However, there were a number of instances where company was paid for their waste which enhanced what was already significant savings.

Results - The organization achieved a 80%+ recycling rate.  As the program matured, they had evaluated both up and down stream processes that generated not just savings, but allowed them to distinguish themselves in the market place, employ general high quality business practices and generate goodwill and loyalty with their employees, customers and suppliers.  A multi-dimensional victory! 

Example B - A large transportation hub for the State of Washington had a desire to save money.  They knew they were throwing a lot of money in the garbage - literally.  Additionally, as important part of the community both on a local and state basis, they had a desire to become a better steward of the environmental and align themselves with local environment culture and generally be a good neighbor.

Initially, time was spent on the efforts that were already in place and improving the results.  This required some significant work, education and coordination with the janitorial contractor.  The results were immediate with an increase in the diversion rates.

The facility was finishing a significant construction project that was a food and retail mall.  The anticipated waste from this new complex were anticipated to be significant.  In anticipation, a comprehensive multi-tiered strategy was developed and employed.  Diversion of all types of waste would be effected

Additionally, some unique programs were created.  Coffee grounds were collected, composted and reused for landscaping on the grounds of the facility.  Food that has passed their freshness date were donated to Food Banks.  Cooking oil was collected and used for the creation of bio-diesel.

There are number of additional programs that will have not only some significant reduction impact, but will offer the facility to safety and security improvements that are significant.  We will begin to implement a centralized waste program that will allow all businesses utilizing the facility to contract with one waste vendor.  This will reduce number of garbage and recycling vehicles on facility grounds which will have a positive impact on security.  A centralized disposal program will allow for better management of containers reducing the risk of loose debris having an adverse impact on transportation assets and equipment, and maybe most importantly, the many people that expect safe traveling environment.

The results have been significant.  The program diverted over 700 tons of waste that would have been otherwise sent to landfill.  This is up nearly 700% from when the program was started five years earlier.  While significant strides have been made, there is a lot more that can be done at this facility.

Example C - A major metropolitan hotel wanted to reduce their growing waste bills and become a good steward of the environment.  They knew that their customers cared about what they were, or were not doing.

Hotels are significant producers of waste.  An average-sized hotels purchase more products in one week than 100 families do in a year.  The majority of these purchases get thrown away.

A plan was developed in the first part of 2005.  Immediate reductions were seen.  The Hotel had challenges with getting their staff to actively participate.  This was compounded by the relatively high turnover in this industry.  A comprehensive training program was developed that not only could get the current staff up to speed, but allowed for training when the Hotel hired new employees.

The result was a reduction of their monthly disposal bill by half in less than three month period.  Efforts a recurrently underway to divert a greater percentage of the remaining waste.  All phases of their business will be examined, including working with suppliers to mitigate waste further upstream.