IIn 2006, Minnesota Waste Wise staff toured the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and identified areas to reduce waste and increase recycling rates. As a result, the State Fair implemented a new waste reduction and recycling initiative for food waste and other items. The 2007 State Fair composted nearly 38 tons of food waste and recycled 22.5 tons of bottles and cans during the 12-day fair. The fair began recycling its wood pallets with Waste Wise member Gruber Pallets, keeping nearly 21 tons of pallets from the trash. The fair also recycled 121 tons of cardboard with Waste Wise member Eureka! Recycling and 47 tons of grease through Waste Wise member Sanimax.
Minnesota Waste Wise member Golden's Deli and Catering is always finding ways to implement environmentally-friendly practices into its everyday business while supporting the local community. Owner Jim Golden emphasizes that Golden's is doing "the right thing" by offering low-waste catering in biodegradable wraps and box lunches, including biodegradable silverware made from corn, potato and sugar can products. In addition, Golden's recycles its food waste through a food-to-hogs program.
DecoPac, Inc., the world's leading marketer of cake decorations, joined Minnesota Waste Waste in early 2007. The membership paid dividends immediately as Minnesota Waste Wise assisted DecoPac in contacting local companies that recycle pallets and stretch wrap. Through September of 2007, DecoPac has recycled over 21,000 lbs of stretch wrap and over 1,700 pallets.
In addition to these efforts, DecoPac replaced their high intensity discharge warehouse lighting system with fluorescent lighting. The fluorescent lighting system uses 40% less electricity than the high intensity discharge system. DecoPac also continues to recycle corrugated cardboard and paper at impressive levels; through September of 2007, DecoPac has recycled over 290 tons of corrugated cardboard and paper.
Through the implementation of an innovative waste reduction program, Waste Wise member Medtronic has reduced packaging material and literature for a total savings of 1.5 million dollars. New packaging designs utilize resources more efficiently and product literature is supplied to consumers in an electrical format instead of paper. Specifically, the transition to an electrical format of product literature has saved more than 672 trees or 350,000 pounds of paper, the equivalent to a stack of paper 12,000 feet high. The cutting edge project not only is environmentally and economically friendly but, is also more convenient for consumers. Medtronic is truly fulfilling the motto of ‘less waste is smart business!’ As Doug Fullen, Director of Environmental Services put it, “This initiative provides Medtronic with a competitive advantage by exceeding customers’ expectations, reducing cost and improving the environment – a win-win-win."
Have you recently implement a successful waste reduction activity? Do you have a successful waste reduction program? Please tell us about your success. We track successes to promote Minnesota Waste Wise services to others and to show our members the value of our program. The information you provide is used for internal purposes only. Successes are not published without your consent. Call Waste Wise at 800-821-2230 and tell them about your successes.
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