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Local Focus
New Sunnyvale Certified Green Businesses
Promega Biosystems
Nela Veis, winner of Sunnyvale's 2011 Environmental Achievement Award and newly certified Green Business, hated what she called "mini-moos", the single-serving foiltopped creamers that come in little plastic cups. No recycler wanted the empties so they just ended up in the garbage. Lots of them. So she came up with an idea to have a "Milk Club" where employees take turns buying milk for coffee in recyclable gallon jugs. Sugar and other kitchen supplies are also purchased in bulk
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Nela shows off a mini-garbage bin. |
- Installed mini garbage bins instead of desk side garbage cans to encourage recycling
- Installed high efficiency toilets to reduce water consumption
- Worked with caterers to eliminate non-recyclable food packaging and event waste
- Replaced harmful cleaning products with safer alternatives, then changed the janitorial contract to specify nontoxic cleaning products only
- Replaced standard fluorescent tubes with low mercury ones
"Once we provided source separated bins for employees it made it easy for people to stop and say, 'This isn't trash'" said Veis. She happily reported that since implementing green measures, Promega's trash bill was cut in half.
Interested in becoming a Green Business?
Go to reducewaste.org Or, call (408) 282-3180 for more information.
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Recycle It!
New Mandato ry Commercial Recycling Law
Businesses statewide are asking about AB 341, California's new mandatory commercial recycling law, which will take effect July 1, 2012. The law requires all California businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of solid waste a week to have recycling collection set up unless they participate in a program where waste is sorted to remove recyclables at a materials recovery facility (MRF) such as the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT Station®).
Sunnyvale businesses are able to comply with the law by having their garbage collected by Specialty or by adding recycling collection service in addition to garbage collection. Companies that need, for their own purposes, to track their waste diversion and have specific waste reduction goals may choose to set up in-house recycling programs to capture recyclables. Businesses that don't generate enough recyclable material to justify a separate collection or that lack the space to set up recycling may be better suited to simply continue to subscribe to garbage service. Whichever option best fits a business's needs, the Recycling Program staff can assist with implementation. The City offers cardboard recycling service through the contracted recycling hauler, Specialty.There is no charge for cardboard collection (a nominal monthly bin rental fee is charged). Private recyclers can pick up additional source separated recyclables. For a list of local providers, go to Recycling.inSunnyvale.com and click on the A-Z Recycling link.
For more information or to request technical assistance, call Mary Lindemuth at (408) 730-7484.
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 Your InquiriesQ. Used fluorescent tubes are piling up in our stockroom. We know it is illegal to put them in the trash but don't know where or how to dispose of them. Help!
A. Fluorescent lighting contains mercury, a hazardous material, so it is important that the tubes be stored and transported carefully, preferably in the original packaging or in a secure carton, to avoid breakage. Don't tape the tubes together. Extend lamp life and conserve energy by turning lights off when not in use. Buy lamps with a long life, a minimum of 20,000 hours. Find low mercury lamps at sfapproved.org.
Resources for mail-in and pick up services may be found at AERC's website aercrecycling.com, MDS, Inc mdsrecycles4less.com and the Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers at almr.org. The County of Santa Clara also offers drop off. To make an online appointment, go to hhw.org or call (408) 299-7300 for more information.
Whatever your recycling questions are, Recycling staff can help.
Contact the Commercial Recycling Program at (408) 730-7484 or email mlindemuth@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us for assistance. |
