How organizations and events in the region have implemented Zero Waste programs
Organizations: David L Lawrence Convention Center | Carnegie Mellon University | Giant Eagle | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Events: Alcosan Open House | Let's Tackle Recycling
Alcosan Open House
The annual Alcosan Open House is an educational event aimed at increasing understanding about the wastewater treatment plant's operations, the environment and science behind water treatment for the 83 communities it serves. Alcosan's commitment to the environment extends to all facets of their operations including their open house. Starting in 2010, Alcosan began working with Zero Waste Pittsburgh to better address the waste reduction and recycling opportunities at this event. Right from the start the event gained a Gold level of achievment under the then Waste Reduction Accomplishment Certification (WRAC).
Leading up to the 2011 event, staff of Alcosan were not satsified with simply repeating 2010's level of success. For the second year organizers of the open house again worked with Zero Waste Pittsburgh to implement suggestions from last year's event as well as implement new ways of reducing waste. Through the efforts of Alcosan staff this year's event achieved a level of Platinum under the new ZIP certification program.
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Phipps Conservatory started its recycling efforts nearly a decade ago as part of its journey toward a more sustainable future and mission, focusing mainly on paper, cans, bottles, and cardboard. During this time, a more significant environmental transformation was underway; recycling was just the beginning. Phipps’ mission evolved from a horticultural and education resource into a leader in green buildings and operations, educating and engaging the public, while also being a responsible steward of the natural environment. Phipps aspires to “close loops” within its organization, especially around energy and waste streams, and to influence and inspire children and adults alike to draw connections between themselves and the world around them.
The waste reduction program evolved out of the leadership role that Phipps has taken in being an environmental organization focused on sustainability, biodiversity and conservation, which meant taking responsibility for all of the material flows in and out of the facilities. “Our waste reduction program has not been without financial cost, but that cost helps us understand the unseen impacts we have on the world around us,” says Richard Piacentini, Executive Director of Phipps Conservatory. “It also gives us incentive to improve our processes: How can we use less paper and plastic? Can we find a way to reuse something before we send it for recycling? Can we compost food waste on-site and eliminate the need for transportation?”
Phipps’ waste reduction program targets an array of waste streams: cardboard; plastic; glass and metal containers; paper; light bulbs; electronics; batteries; plant material; pre- and post-consumer food waste generated in the café, by staff, and at special events; used cooking oil; and even old building materials from demolition and construction projects. Phipps is one of only a few organizations in the region that asks visitors to separate their own food waste at the waste station, which is one part of their educational initiative on composting. The Conservatory has also encouraged its employees to set up compost bins at home and bring in electronics and other e-waste for safe and responsible recycling.
Phipps Conservatory encourages all of its visitors and employees to be partners in environmentally responsible living. Find out more about the waste reduction and other programs by visiting the Phipps & Sustainability website.
Let's Tackle Recycling
Throughout the 2010 and 2011 football seasons, the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) and its partners collected recyclables at tailgating parties at Steelers home games. The Let's Tackle Recycling campaign - funded by the Alcoa Foundation - gathered aluminum cans, glass containers, and plastic bottles and cups. The effort includes distributing blue plastic recycling bags to tailgaters entering 10 designated parking lots located along General Robinson Street and Reedsdale Street. Fans outside Heinz Field recycled 14 MILES of aluminum cans since September opener!
David L Lawrence Convention Center
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh owned by the Sports & Exhibition Authority has established itself as the first green convention center in the US. In addition to being LEED Gold certified by the US Green Building Council, the building’s management firm (SMG) has implemented an extensive waste reduction program that provides waste sorting and diversion of plastic/glass/aluminum containers, office paper, cardboard, food waste, used cooking oil, e-waste, light bulbs, and leftover exhibition materials like carpet. The diversion practices are further complemented by the use of durable serviceware such as coffee mugs and water glasses, and purchasing of compostable plates, flatware and paper products. Although the reduction program requires extra handling of waste materials, “The investment has paid for itself by the additional events we have secured because of our progressive efforts,” says Debbie Smucker, Director of Marketing for the Convention Center.
The DLCC is currently diverting over 50% of all materials generated in-house and brought in by visitors and outside companies, an impressive achievement given the sheer size and volume of the facility. The management team is continually looking for new opportunities to divert material from the waste stream to help reduce disposal costs and reduce the center’s carbon footprint. Find out more about this and other green practices at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center at http://www.greenfirst.us
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University has been recycling since 1990, well before it was in vogue, and well before curbside recycling was widely available. Since then, the University has taken on the challenge of reducing its environmental footprint through programs like renewable energy purchasing, green building & green roof installations, energy efficient operations, alternative transportation solutions, as well as waste reduction. The waste reduction program includes generally accepted recyclables like glass, plastics, metals and paper, but has also broadened to include food waste, used cooking oil, computers and electronics, batteries, wood pallets, CDs, and more. “It is important to the University to not only reduce our impact on the environment, but also educate our students and campus community on the importance of waste reduction,” says Barb Kviz, Environmental Coordinator for Carnegie Mellon. “We want to instill these values into our campus culture, which then gets transported around the world by students and visiting scholars when they leave Pittsburgh.” Carnegie Mellon has a vested interest in a more sustainable future and has chosen to lead by example, in hopes of encouraging broader acceptance of waste reduction and changing the marketplace that serves it. To find out more, visit the CMU Green Practices Recycling page, or contact Barb Kviz at bk11@andrew.cmu.edu.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle, Inc. is committed to sustainable operations across its enterprise and to minimizing or recycling waste. All Giant Eagle stores have balers for cardboard (also known as OCC), and most also have balers for film plastic (shrink wrap), two of the company’s largest waste streams.
Additionally, Giant Eagle previously conducted waste audits to determine the most effective approach to further reducing waste, and drilled down into smaller streams that could be easily diverted, including: used cooking oil, cans, bottles, office paper, meat cutoffs, and dry cleaning hangers and bags.
The results have been astounding. Giant Eagle has saved on its hauling and disposal costs, and has also generated revenue from the materials being recycled, most notably the cardboard.
To avoid added waste and be responsible stewards to the environment, Giant Eagle continues to explore ways to reduce, reuse and recycle the resources it uses on an ongoing basis. Find out more about Giant Eagle’s recycling program at http://www.gianteagle.com/about/recycling.
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