As we wrap up the year, American Disposal Services would like to take the opportunity to talk about one of the commercial successes we have had in 2012 with our ThinkBeforeYouThrow® recycling program. While many

customers have committed to reducing their waste's impact

through conscious recycling efforts, one particular customer

Towards the end of 2011, our Territory Managers started working with a large and well-known hotel, the Hyatt Regency Reston. Reston Hyatt's Senior Director of Engineering came to American Disposal Services with a waste disposal plan that he hoped would help reduce the environmental impact that a single hotel has on the environment. Over the months that followed, both American Disposal's Territory Managers and the Reston Hyatt worked closely with one another carefully assessing the waste streams that came out of the building.

It was determined that the current equipment being used by the Hyatt Regency Reston Hotel was insufficient to collect the amount of materials that were recyclable (but still being disposed of as trash) within the hotel. In order to start capturing this very large stream of recyclable material and divert it from the landfill, American Disposal Services decided to convert the large existing trash compactor to a large recycling compactor. For those who are unfamiliar with this type of waste equipment, compactors are used in our industry to collect high volumes of materials and 'compact' them inside the unit before the machine is picked up by our trucks. (See below for an image of a compactor.)

In order to draw attention to the change and educate employees that the equipment would now be for the collection of recyclables ONLY, the compactor equipment was re-painted a vibrant green (it had previously been blue) and decaled with lime green stickers. These large billboards on the sides of the equipment help to promote the 'green' message that is supported by the recyclable contents now collected inside. The messages can be read throughout the community as American Disposal Services' trucks make their way to the recycling processing facility where the collected recyclables are bundled and baled to make new goods.

In addition to the stickered equipment, Hyatt Regency Reston has painted the wall leading up to their compactor a matching lime green color. They've labeled the area "Recycling Only" so as to further educate employees. Brochures and multiple on-site educational presentations were held at the hotel prior to the installation of the green recycling compactor as well.

The Reston Hyatt did not stop there, however. In order to divert even MORE material from the landfill, American Disposal Services began supplying service for composting bins that capture the food waste from banquet and cafeteria facilities. This material is brought to a composting facility where it is broken down organically.

In 2013, American Disposal Services hopes to use the model that has been created by the Hyatt Regency Reston's recycling program as a tool to help other companies and customers achieve their own sustainability goals.