Solid waste

Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings, and food waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Once decomposed, the compost can be used onsite to fertilize gardens and improve plant growth. By keeping the material onsite, the fuel, emissions, and cost to haul the compost off site is avoided. For facilities that are not able to use compost onsite, contract with a certified commercial organics composting service — consult state and local environmental authorities or the U.S. Composting Council. Each certified commercial organics composting service accepts different types of organic waste, which may include: landscape debris or yard waste, food waste, and compostable paper and fiber-based products, such as liners, foodware, tissue, and packaging. Confirm with the composting service what materials are acceptable and the proper collection method. Be aware that some commercial composting facilities do not accept meat and dairy.

Best practices

• If the composting service accepts compostable paper and fiber-based products, consider purchasing compliant foodservice items to reduce the amount and cost of waste disposed in the landfill
• Ensure routine collection from compost containers to prevent unwanted odors and pests. They should be air-tight and some have carbon filter lids.

Help reduce our 27 million ton per year landscaping waste habit — 13.5% of all solid waste! For construction or renovation projects, implement a waste management plan and reuse or salvage materials, including plants, onsite. As part of operations and maintenance, address landscaping in the facility’s waste management plan. Provide collection of recyclable materials in outdoor areas. Consider using landscape waste materials onsite, such as through a mulching mower, a wood chipper, or onsite composting. Compost or mulch 100% of the landscape waste through a commercial composting service or onsite composting. Consult environmental authorities about local regulations and a qualified horticultural or soil professional for the use of soil amendments produced through onsite composting.

EPA WaterSense Professional Certification

Library and Office Materials, including books, magazines, reference materials, audio and video media resources, batteries, and other office-related durable goods, can be redistributed, donated, or resold – extending their useful life and reducing waste. Develop a process and protocols for collection and designate a central collection location. Consider donating to a local library or charitable organization or work with the Office of Personal Property Management to dispose of personal property that is no longer needed. Note that federally owned electronics must go through a proper review before e-waste disposal.

Recycling support stations and the education of occupants and janitorial staff are the backbone of a successful waste diversion plan. Start by confirming with the recycling hauler what materials are acceptable and the proper collection method. Separate, color-coded, well-labeled, and strategically placed recycling containers and waste receptacles make sorting and collection convenient and support occupant participation.

Best practices

• Include, at minimum, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals in the recycling program.
• Include also: food and organic waste, batteries, toner or ink cartridges, mercury-containing lamps, and electronic waste.
• Ensure recycling containers are labeled consistently, with pictures, to help occupants sort materials in the appropriate containers. Coordinate with the recycling hauler to develop the appropriate signage; tenants in leased facilities should coordinate with the landlord or facility manager.
• Provide ongoing education and training to occupants and janitorial staff about the recycling hauler’s requirements, what items are acceptable and unacceptable for recycling, proper disposal methods, and the importance of eliminating contamination.
• Target paper and cardboard which typically make up the greatest percentage by weight of the total solid waste stream, followed by food and organic waste.
• Work with the recycling hauler and green team to ensure compliance with requirements and to develop strategies for improving performance.
• Designate, and educate occupants about, collection areas for bulky packaging, flattened cardboard, and other recyclable or reusable materials.

There are two predominant types of recycling collection methods: commingled or single-stream and source separation. The terms have sometimes been confused or used interchangeably. In a commingled or single-stream system, recyclable materials are collected together but kept separate from non-recyclable waste. In a source separation system, recyclable materials are collected separately by type. Mixed waste collection, in which waste and recyclable materials are collected together, is discouraged. Coordinate what materials are acceptable and the proper collection method with the recycling hauler.

Source separated recycling

Source separated recycling is the collection of paper and cardboard or glass, plastic, and metal in separate containers, respectively. Some recycling programs further separate the collection of recyclables so that different types or “grades” of paper, glass, plastics, and metals are each collected in their own separate designated container.

• Sorted materials have a higher market value. In metropolitan areas, recycling companies may pay for or pick up recyclables at no cost or share revenue.
• Potentially higher recovery rate because of less “contamination” of materials.
• Potential for reduced energy and greenhouse gas emissions, as higher quality material can be used as feedstock for manufacturing. For example, discarded glass can be recycled into new glass products.
• Separate containers and collection may add to capital costs.
• Occupants need to discard materials in appropriate separate containers. Potentially confusing, occupants may place materials in the wrong containers if the communication and recycling program design is unclear.

Commingled, or single-stream, recycling

Commingled, or single-stream, recycling is the collection of recyclables, including paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and metal, in a single container. The recycling hauler picks up and hauls these recyclables to a materials recovery facility or MRF, where the recyclables are sorted by material type and sold for use in product manufacturing.

• Convenient and easy to collect. The occupant can mix all recyclable items in a single container for disposal.
• The responsibility of separating different types of materials is shifted from the occupants to the MRF.
• Potentially increases the number of materials collected for recycling.
• Reduces the number of collection trucks needed.
• Mixed, single-stream materials have a lower market value. The disposal cost, to the building owner, may be higher than source separated recycling service.
• Potentially lower recovery of materials for recycling, after materials are collected, because of the reduced quality of material as a feedstock in the manufacturing process.
• Potentially lower-end, or downcycled, product uses because of reduced quality of material.

Design space to allow for centralized collection of waste and recycling, in a secure area, where it does not impact indoor air quality and the use of space for other purposes, such as parking and shipment or delivery. Ensure that containers are labeled to avoid improper disposal of materials. When selecting collection containers and equipment, right-sizing is critical. Factors including facility occupancy, use, the types of materials being collected, and the amount and type of space available for collection will drive the type and size of collection containers. Also consider the objectives of controlling pests, odors, and overflow or spills, while minimizing the frequency of pickups to conserve fuel and reduce emissions.

Front-load and rear-load dumpsters range in size from 2 cubic yards to 8 cubic yards and are typically rented on a long-term basis with regularly scheduled pickups of waste or recycling.

Roll-off dumpsters — sometimes called construction dumpsters or commercial dumpsters — range in size from 10 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards and can be rented on a temporary or long-term basis for waste, recycling, or construction and demolition waste.

Compactors range in size from 2 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards and are typically rented on a long-term basis, or purchased, with regularly scheduled pick-ups of waste or recycling. Compactors are electrically powered and reduce the frequency of pick-ups by simply compacting the material collected to reduce its volume. This has the added benefit of saving money if the disposal price is per weight and per haul. To monitor disposal frequency and costs, request a report of the material weight tickets and pick-up dates from the hauler. The appropriate type of compactor for a facility will depend on the space available, material volume, and type of material to be collected, such as wet, dry, or bulky. If a compactor will be located outside, consider a solar-powered compactor. Most compactor units will provide a 4:1 compaction ratio, but check the equipment specifications.

C&D waste consists of the non-hazardous bulky, heavy materials generated during the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings. Require a Waste Management Plan to recycle and salvage C&D waste. Types of C&D waste commonly recycled include: clean structural wood debris, steel, aluminum, copper, mixed metals, drywall or gypsum, concrete or cement, and asphalt. Salvaged building components include doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures. C&D waste can be collected in a single stream or separated by material type, and the value of the material may help to offset other costs. Take measures to secure valuable materials from theft. To monitor waste diversion, require a report of the amount, preferably by weight, of C&D waste disposed and recycled.

Buildings with cafeterias typically generate fats, oils, and grease or FOG, which should not be disposed in landfills or poured into sanitary sewer drains. Companies offer FOG disposal services, and collect FOG to render it into new products, like soaps and cosmetics, or convert it to fuels.

Work with a recycling hauler to verify acceptable and unacceptable materials and thresholds of contamination to avoid rejected pickups. Ensure that recycling containers are labeled with signage that includes pictures with written descriptions. Secure the containers to prevent theft and illegal dumping. Request recycling weight tickets from the recycler, particularly if they are sharing revenues or offering lower waste disposal fees resulting from the sale of recyclable commodities.

Cardboard is a common and valuable recyclable material generated in office buildings. There are two common ways of collecting it for pick-up by a recycling company: baled by a cardboard baler or in open top container, such as a dumpster.

Baled cardboard

Baled cardboard is compacted into bundles by onsite machinery and is easier to manage due to the dense nature of the material. The average 3-foot x 4-foot bale weighs approximately 500 pounds.

• These bales can be stacked and stored in a more compact space than loose cardboard in open top containers.
• Paper recyclers will offer a higher rebate value for the baled cardboard because it saves them labor in baling the material at their location.
• Equipment manufacturers have low profile options for balers for rooms with a 9–10-foot ceiling height.

Loose cardboard

Open top containers of loose cardboard require a tremendous amount of space compared to baled cardboard.

• Loose cardboard is bulky and reduces the value of the material collected for recycling.
• Open top containers are subject to contamination of non-cardboard materials.
• If the container is located outside, wind and weather can damage the material for recycling and create litter on the property.

Office electronics including computers, tablets, printers, flash drives, CD/DVD drives, small IT equipment, and mobile phones, may contain hazardous, as well as valuable and recoverable materials. When electronics have reached the end of their useful life, or a user is ready to discard them, they become electronic waste. To protect human health and the environment, some states have enacted legislation establishing statewide electronic waste, or e-waste, recycling programs. Batteries may also be included in e-waste recycling programs. Lighting, electronics and toner or ink cartridge manufacturers may take back or buy back used products. Federally owned electronics must go through a proper review before disposal. Depending upon age and condition, first look for options to reuse or refurbish unwanted electronics, such as outlined in the library and office materials section. Alternatively, seek certified electronic recyclers to manage electronics at the end of their life. For e-waste disposal regulations and certified recyclers, contact the Office of Personal Property Management, state and local environmental authorities, and R2- or e-Stewards-certified recyclers.

Best practices

• Educate occupants about federal government personal property disposal rules and the protocols and responsibilities for collecting e-waste.
• Ensure the security of e-waste collection and storage.
• Choose refilled or remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.
• Require a certificate of recycling for e-waste from the certified electronic recycler documenting the amount and types of materials recycled and the date of processing.

Several carpet companies have take-back programs and recycle carpet tile. The fibers and backing of used post-consumer carpet are used as feedstock for the manufacturing of new carpet. Of the different carpet materials, nylon has the highest economic value and demand for recycling. When selecting carpet for purchase and installation, consider choosing a manufacturer that will take back carpet tiles at the end of their useful life at no cost. Organizations like the Carpet America Recovery Effort and the Carpet and Rug Institute provide information about landfill diversion of carpet, carpet recycling, and end of life carpet options. Ceiling tiles can also be recycled and companies offer ceiling take-back programs to make new ceiling tiles. Recycling ceiling tiles keeps these materials out of the landfill and reduces disposal costs.

Unwanted, broken, or old furniture, generated from tenant moves or remodeling, should be kept out of the landfill if feasible. The most economical and sustainable option is to reuse the furniture, especially if it is still in good condition. Federal agencies with unneeded government personal property, like furniture or computers, must dispose of it through GSA and in accordance with Subchapter B of the Federal Management Regulation. The Personal Property Management System allows agencies to report excess property to GSA. The hierarchy of disposal is to:

• reuse the property within the agency;
• transfer the property to another federal agency;
• donate the property to eligible non-federal organizations;
• sell the property to the public;
• recycle the property;
• and lastly, to landfill it.

Office buildings generate a large number of spent lamps, including fluorescent lamps containing small quantities of mercury and other toxic substances. Mercury-containing fluorescent lamps are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and must be managed according to EPA and state environmental regulations. Designate a secure, labeled area to store spent lamps and package them to avoid breakage, which may release of mercury vapor. Recycle lamps by having the recycler pick them up if large quantities are generated or through a mail-in or box program. Educate building occupants and maintenance staff to keep lamps out of the trash. LampRecycle.org provides information about recycling lamps.

Note that recycling centers generally do not accept LED lamps.

Installing an ENERGY STAR® dishwasher and refrigerator in the break room promotes the use of reusable dishes and utensils. These appliances allow for building occupants to choose to bring reusable food containers, and to reduce the amount of food packaging, carry-out containers, and utensils in the waste stream. When appliances reach the end of their life, and if they cannot be repaired, they must be properly disposed according to EPA and state environmental agency regulations. Under the Clean Air Act regulations, appliances with ozone-depleting refrigerants such as CFCs and HCFCs require a certified recycler to recover the refrigerant and to avoid emissions into the atmosphere. The scrap metal parts of the appliances may also be recycled, to avoid landfill disposal.

Providing filtered or unfiltered water from the faucet promotes the use of reusable cups and mugs and decreases the use of plastic water bottles and the need to recycle plastic. The plastic bottle waste stream can be curbed by educating tenants about the quality of the building’s water. As an added benefit, dedicated refillable water stations also visibly promote hydration. Also, drinking water from the tap has a cost-saving benefit to both the building occupant and to the building owner due to a reduced waste stream. The average price of bottled water is $1.21 per gallon, and an estimated 25% or more of bottled water is actually tap water, which is not necessarily further treated. To illustrate the scale of bottled water waste, in 2006, the equivalent of 2 billion half-liter bottles of water were shipped to U.S. ports, and only about 13% of bottles that Americans use are recycled.²

The break room or pantry is an area where a considerable amount of organic waste, such as food, paper packaging, or coffee grounds, and recyclables, such as plastic and metal beverage containers or yogurt cups, are generated. Recycling support stations and the education of occupants and janitorial staff are the backbone of a successful waste diversion plan. Start by confirming with the recycling hauler and compost service what materials are acceptable and the proper collection method. Separate, color-coded, well-labeled and strategically placed recycling containers and waste receptacles make sorting and collection convenient and support occupant participation.

The recycling program should include: batteries, toner/ink cartridges, and electronic waste. Electronics and toner/ink cartridge manufacturers may take back or buy back used products.

Consider buying refilled or remanufactured cartridges, as these can be lower cost than new with the same performance. Reduce toner cartridge use and paper waste, while saving energy and money, through a print management policy that includes the following steps:

1. Set device default to “duplex” or double-sided printing
2. Set device default to “black and white” rather than “color” printing
3. Set device default to “draft” quality rather than “high” quality printing
4. Set default font to a toner-efficient font, such as Times New Roman, Garamond, or Century Gothic
5. Enable sleep mode for devices
6. Prohibit personal printers

Recycling support stations and the education of occupants and janitorial staff are the backbone of a successful waste diversion plan. Start by confirming with the recycling hauler what materials are acceptable and the proper collection method. Separate, color-coded, well-labeled and strategically placed recycling containers make sorting and collection convenient and support occupant participation. To maximize paper recovery, only place recycling containers in printing and support areas.

Through a central supply room, an exchange and reuse of office supplies can reduce waste and save money. Items to encourage reuse of include:

• binders
• pens
• pencils
• paper clips
• paper products
• staplers
• scissors
• file folders

Having a centralized supply room can also decrease unnecessary purchases or overstock of items, facilitate better management and organization of supplies, and decrease the needed space for supplies. When supplies are no longer needed, consider donation before recycling; see the library and office materials section for more.