iStalkr

by lydiashiningbrightly

Philips Consumer Electronics Company’s Mexican group, Productos de Consumo Electrónicos Philips (PCEP) has developed a program in Ciudad Juárez Chihuahua which uses non-hazardous waste materials from its facilities in a beneficial way for the community. Not only does this program reduce waste from the facilities, it provides housing for those who might not otherwise have it.

• PCEP manufactures televisions and other consumer electronic products. Many of the components for these products are sent to PCEP packed in wooden crates, shrink-wrapped to wooden or metal pallets and/or packaged in styrofoam. Rather than dispose of these materials in a landfill, PCEP looked into the community to see if these materials could be used to benefit the community. The answer was yes, and the PCEP building program was begun.

• Infrastructure in the border zone, especially housing and general utility services, has not been able to keep up with economic growth. One of the consequences of this lag is the colonies, essentially shanty towns where people may live in cardboard houses with no running water. PCEP decided to donate the wooden and metal pallets, the wood from the crates, cardboard from packaging and styrofoam, to needy families for use in home building in the colonies. The metal pallets form the framework of the houses, the wood is used for the rest of the construction, and the styrofoam is used for insulation. Workers from PCEP donate their time and aid in the building of these structures.

• In addition to the building program, PCEP has organized a water distribution program. Old plastic containers from water coolers and new, clean plastic drums are filled wtth potable water and taken to the colonies for distribution to the residents, many of whom do not have running water or close access to drinking water. Again, PCEP’s workers volunteer their time in this program.

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Copied from SQLJ » Recycling Articles

by MissMalaprop

Sony’s Video Tec de Mexico (VTM) plant, located in Tijuana, Mexico has made great strides in waste reduction and recycling. This plant, one of Sony’s largest worldwide, employs over 5,000, people in four facilities and assembles TVs, computer monitors and several subassemblies such as PC boards and tuners. Examples of Sony’s accomplishments include:

• Since 1993, average annual increase in tonnage recycled has been over 45% per year (from 2,000 tons in 1993, to 4,300 tons in 1995.)
• Sony VTM’s bottom line result from its recycling program in 1995 was over $ 500,000 in combined revenue and cost avoidance.
• In 1995, Sony VTM recycled cardboard, pallets, plastics, wood, lead ends, foam, dross, cartons, scrap equipment, copper, PC boards, steel, paper, wire, and other materials.
• In November 1995, Sony VTM installed new balers which enabled the company to further reduce remaining wastes by 50%.
• Sony’s engineers reduced the size of a component of one of their TVs, substantially reducing plastic material use, material costs and wastes.
• Sony also reuses items such as wood pallets which are picked up at the VTM plant and refurbished/re-worked.

• Sony VTM was recognized in 1996 for their recycling efforts with a “Grand Prize” award in Sony’s prestigious corporate environmental award program.

• Border WasteWi$ e conducted a solid waste reduction assessment and study at Sony’s VTM II plant. Sony implemented our recommendation of installing hand dryers in its restrooms, immediately reducing large quantities of paper towels, and is considering implementing other recommendations, including those that would dramatically reduce wastes generated by the plant’s cafeterias, which serve several thousand meals daily.

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Copied from SQLJ » Recycling Articles

by practicalowl

Corporation Asahi, which repairs and refurbishes telephone answering machines, has a well established waste reduction program.

• One recent innovation, which Border Waste Wi$ e has shared with other companies, is employing reusable plastic straps to secure products on pallets. Corporation Asahi straps the products to pallets with metal clips, reducing purchases of new strapping and plastic shrink wrap, and cutting these wastes by 40%.

• As a result of Border Waste Wi$ e, Asahi is implementing a food composting program to reduce waste from cafeteria operations and they are considering our recommendations to recycle off-spec and scrap electronic components and parts.

Day Runner De Mexico

Day Runner De Mexico, a manufacturer of business organizer books and other products, has implemented several waste reduction and recycling practices.

• The company uses an inventory control and production supply system that requires the plant manager to approve all purchase orders. This and other steps help ensure that over-ordering and excess materials are minimized.

• Employees and janitors assist in segregating recyclables to prevent them from becoming solid waste. Almost all leather, vinyl and cardboard are recycled.

• The Border Waste Wi$ e assessment and resulting report at Day Runner identified waste reduction opportunities including: a recommendation for the facility to use reusable totes for shipping supplies and finished products between the company’s Pasadena Headquarters and their Tijuana facility. Border Waste Wi$ e also provided waste reduction and pollution prevention opportunities for construction activities that can be implemented when Day Runner begins construction of an additional Tijuana facility in the near future.

EBT (Philips Electronics)

EBT (Philips Electronics), a large manufacturer of electronic components, has an established waste reduction program.

• EBT already recycles most of the wastes they generate.

• The plant has also installed a compactor/baler that helps the company get higher prices for recycled cardboard and reduces its overall solid waste disposal costs because of the reduced volume of wastes requiring disposal. The equipment is provided under a lease agreement by a local recycling company.

• With help from Border Waste Wi$ e, EBT is searching for ways to reuse excess asphalt material resulting from their manufacturing process. Border Waste Wi$ e referred EBT to the City of Tijuana’s Public Works Department, one of our government partners, to discuss the possibility of using the asphalt in road construction and maintenance. Border Waste Wi$ e is also assisting EBT to find other organizations that may be interested in reusing the asphalt by helping the company list this material in CalMex, a bi-lingual materials exchange established for Border Waste Wi$ e by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, another one of our government partners.

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Copied from SQLJ » Recycling Articles

by cote

This Kodak plant, which refurbishes reproduction machines, has made great strides in waste reduction and recycling.

• Between 1994 and 1995, Kodak reduced its solid waste disposal costs from $ 150,000 to $ 54,000, representing a 62% savings.

• In 1996, Kodak plans to reduce the total annual solid waste disposal costs even more and Border Waste Wi$ e has identified several steps that they could take, including reducing cafeteria wastes.

• Kodak is using the Border Waste Wi$ e Recyclers Directory to identify recycling alternatives for waste streams not currently being recycled (e.g., toner cartridges and fluorescent lights).

Kyomex

Kyomex, which assembles television and computer housings, has made substantial progress in waste reduction.

• This company totally eliminated pallet wastes by establishing an onsite pallet maintenance and repair area. Some pallets are also given to employees for their reuse.

• Kyomex is using the Border Waste Wi$ e Assessment Report to guide them in implementing waste reduction recommendations through their in-house environmental improvements program.

Matsushita Electronic Components (Panasonic)

Matsushita, a manufacturer of components for various products, including car speakers, has implemented many successful waste reduction measures.

• This plant currently enjoys an annual savings of an estimated $ 107,111 in recycling revenues and reduced disposal costs.

• The company’s goal is to reach a recycling rate of 85% to 90% of all wastes generated from production operations.

• Border Waste Wi$ e is helping Panasonic reach this goal — the plant we worked with is now recycling additional paper wastes and considering our recommendations to reduce and recycle cafeteria wastes.

Plamex

Plamex, a large manufacturer of audio headsets, is a company that has a firm commitment to environmental protection, as demonstrated by its proactive management and supportive employees.

• This plant currently enjoys an annual savings of an estimated $ 107,111 in recycling revenues and reduced disposal costs.

• Border Waste Wi$ e has helped Plamex increase recycling volumes by 30% in 1996 and receive higher prices for its recyclable materials.

• Supported by Border Waste Wi$ e’s recommendations, Plamex is broadening its employee training program to enhance waste reduction awareness and to improve production line segregation of recyclable materials.

Sanyo Video Components

This Sanyo plant, which produces television components, including tuners and deflection yokes, has a waste reduction program that is continuously improving. Sanyo is investigating several Border Waste Wi$ e recommendations to enhance their well established program including:

• Waste reduction options to reduce cafeteria wastes and using washable and durable plastic plates, cups, and silverware.

• Installing hot air hand dryers in restrooms in order to reduce paper costs and sharply cut wastes.

Xentek De Taiyo

Xentek, a manufacturer of power sources, has an innovative waste reduction program.

• A recent innovation involved Xentek’s engineers redesigning the specifications for metal fabrication which significantly reduced cutoffs and improved materials efficiency.

• As a result of the Border Waste Wi$ e program, Xentek is evaluating options for purchasing packaging and other materials with recycled content (i.e., “affirmative procurement”) and implementing training programs and other steps to increase employee involvement in waste reduction programs.

• The facility is also investigating our recommendation to use more durable, longer lasting pallets, and reuse and recycling options for damaged pallets.

Copied from SQLJ » Recycling Articles

Begin by assessing the products and equipment used and the waste generated by your business. Then identify ways to improve efficiency and eliminate waste. The ideas below can help you decide what waste prevention practices to adopt.

Purchasing

• Establish purchasing guidelines to encourage waste prevention (durable, concentrated, reusable, high quality products).

• Consider length of warranty and availability of repair services when purchasing equipment.

• Use optical scanners, which give more details about inventory, allowing more precise ordering.

• Order supplies in bulk to reduce excess packaging.

• Order supplies by voice mail or electronic mail.

• Substitute less toxic materials for toxic materials (e.g., vegetable based inks, water based glue, markers, and paints).

• Ask suppliers to minimize packaging on orders.

• Request that deliveries be shipped in returnable containers.

Packaging

• Eliminate unneeded packaging or layers of packaging.

• Use lightweight packaging.

• Use reusable boxes and mail bags for shipping to branch offices, stores, and warehouses.

• Reuse packaging (e.g., foam peanuts, bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes) or find someone who can.

• Set up a system for returning cardboard boxes and foam peanuts to distributors for reuse.

• Return, reuse, and repair wooden pallets and spools.

• Order merchandise with minimal packaging, in concentrated form and in bulk.

Writing/Printing Paper

• Make double-sided copies whenever possible.

• Reuse envelopes or use two-way envelopes.

• Circulate memos, documents, periodicals, and reports rather than individual copies.

• Use voice or electronic mail or put messages on a chalkboard or central bulletin board.

• Make scratch pads from used paper.

• Use outdated letter head for in-house memos.

• Eliminate unnecessary forms. Double-side forms or redesign them to fit on a half sheet.

• Use narrow-ruled notebooks.

• Seek methods to reduce production errors.

• Save documents on floppy disks instead of making hard copies.

• Use central files for hard copies.

• Print more words on each page (e.g., smaller font, narrow margins).

• Proof documents on screen before printing.

• Print drafts on paper already printed on one side.

• Use same draft of report for corrections by several people.

• Donate old magazines and journals to hospitals, clinics, or libraries.

• Keep mailing lists current/one copy per address.

• Call or mail postcards directly to senders asking that your business be removed from mailing lists.

• Reduce advertising mail by writing to: Direct Marketing Assoc., Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 3861, NY, NY 10163-3861. Ask that your business be eliminated from mailing lists.

• Accept final in-house documents with hand corrections.

Copied from SQLJ » Recycling Articles

by bubbo.etsy.com

Over-Stocked, Exchangeable Items

• Set up an area for employees to exchange used items.

• Advertise surplus and reusable waste items through a commercial waste exchange. CalMAX is a materials exchange network in California; services are available at no cost to users. CalMEX, CalMAX’s bilingual component serving parts of Baja California was recently launched. Call (916) 255-2369 for a free catalog and materials listing form or check out the CalMAX homepage.

Equipment

• Rent equipment that is used occasionally.

• Use remanufactured office equipment.

• Invest in equipment that facilitates waste prevention such as:
  • high quality, durable, repairable equipment

  • copiers and printers that make two-sided copies
• Install reusable heating, ventilation and air conditioning filters.

• Replace incandescent with fluorescent lights.

• Institute maintenance practices to prolong the use of copiers, computers, and other equipment.

• Reclaim reusable parts from old equipment.

• Use recharged or rebuilt fax and printer cartridges.

• Sell or give old furniture and equipment to employees or donate it to a local charity.

• Find uses for worn tires (e.g., landscaping, swings).

• Use retreaded tires on company vehicles. Rotate tires on a regular basis to prolong tire life. Keep tires properly inflated.

Landscaping/Organics

• Use a mulching mower or retrofit your mower and leave grass clippings on lawn (grasscycling).

• Compost grass clippings and leaves or ask your landscaper to send trimmings to a composting facility (check with recycling coordinator about any composting requirements).

• Use compost as a topsoil amendment or request your landscaper contractor to use it.

• Choose a landscape design that needs low maintenance and generates little waste (e.g., perennials, slow growing shrubs).

• Buy a chipper and turn tree and shrub clippings into mulch.

Food and Personal Services

• Use durable towels, tablecloths, napkins, dishes, flatware, cups, and glasses.

• Encourage employees to bring their own mugs and utensils. Ask food vendor to offer discounts on beverages served in own mug.

• Buy company mugs; stop providing disposable cups.

• Encourage customers to take home extra food.

• Offer smaller portions (e.g., child’s menu).

• Arrange for food bank pick-up of unserved food.

• Sell or give food scraps to farmers who can process it for feed (check with local health and agricultural agencies).

• Compost vegetable food scraps. (Check with your recycling coordinator concerning local guidelines or restrictions.)

• Set up a worm bin at the office to convert your food wastes (banana peels, coffee grounds) into high quality potting soil (vermicompost).

• Use reusable coffee filters or unbleached disposable filters.

• Reuse trash can liners or eliminate where possible.

• Consider using cloth roll towels, hot air dryer, large paper rolls in rest rooms or buy smaller/lighter sized paper towels.

• Provide condiments in bulk dispensers.

Consumer Choices

• Teach your customers about the importance of reducing waste. Effective tools for getting across the message include: promotional campaigns, brochures and newsletters (remember to use recycled paper), banners, newspaper ads, product displays, store signs, and labels.

• Encourage customers to bring their own bag(s) and compliment them when they do.

• Offer customers a rebate when they reuse grocery bags, containers, mugs, and cups.

• Offer customers waste reduction choices such as:
  • items in bulk or concentrate;

  • solar-powered items such as calculators, flashlights;

  • durable merchandise;

  • repairable merchandise; and

  • items in refillable bottle.
• Encourage customers to return reusable items such as metal hangers to dry cleaners.

• Promote waste prevention through advertising.

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