Difference between revisions of "TRASH AUDIT- April 2018"

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<small>return to [[Labs Sessions - 2018]] <br/>
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<small> Return to [[Labs Sessions - 2018]] </small><br/>
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 +
* '''Introduction'''
 +
** Waste reduction strategy upgrade desired - engage the businesses a bit more - peaks when interns come in (15 interns) - largely food related on Thursday night - container related from local restaurants - need another layer of refinement in awareness of people and thinking outside the box, relations with local businesses to adapt to new methods, take steps towards improving - container for lunches, research and talk to restaurants to see what would work for them or with them, list of restaurants that would join program to accept people bringing in Tupperware, symbol for program.
 +
** New paper towel dispenser pilot program (unisex bathroom in Annex) - waste reduction with new dispenser and thinner product
  
 
* '''Trash Audit Design'''
 
* '''Trash Audit Design'''
Line 49: Line 53:
 
*** Broken glass should be wrapped for safety
 
*** Broken glass should be wrapped for safety
 
** Bag #10
 
** Bag #10
−
*** Overflow of paper towels
+
*** Overflow paper towels
 
*** Some styrofoam food containers
 
*** Some styrofoam food containers
−
***  
+
** Bag #11
 +
*** Overflow paper towels
 +
** Bag #12
 +
*** Easter grass could be reused or recycled
 +
*** Smoothie Place cups missed; need to be rinsed immediately after use, otherwise sticks
 +
** Bag #13
 +
*** Overflow paper towels
 +
*** Cardboard toilet paper cores mixed in also trashed with overflow paper towels; could be recycled with cardboard
 +
** Bag #14
 +
*** More smoothie cups missed
 +
** Loose in Can
 +
*** Metal tape measure missed
 +
*** Electric power cord missed (metal inside)
  
 
* '''Additional Notes'''
 
* '''Additional Notes'''
−
** Sometimes has too much paper towel to compost; decision is made to trash excess.
+
** Sometimes has too much paper towel to compost; decision is made to trash excess. Unisex bathroom experimenting with new dispenser to limit to one. Some instruction on new dispenser use may be helpful.
 
** Peggy had done complete clean out of kitchen the week of the audit (does about twice per year), hence the tongs.
 
** Peggy had done complete clean out of kitchen the week of the audit (does about twice per year), hence the tongs.
 
** Reminder: Good to opt out of catalogs and use online resources instead.
 
** Reminder: Good to opt out of catalogs and use online resources instead.
 
** Thermal paper receipts are not recyclable.
 
** Thermal paper receipts are not recyclable.
 +
** Friday after lunch, little recycling guidance for visitors.
 +
** Suggestion: Bring your own recyclable or reusable straw.
 +
** Suggestion: Best Buy takes old power/communication cords, CDs, cellphones for recycle.
 +
** Suggestion: Some places recycle old power strips (check Web for resource).
 +
** Suggestion: Check computer repair places for disposing of old computer parts, screens, etc.
 +
** Lunch trash should be sorted to individual recycle streams, not thrown away all in one bag.
 +
** Whole Foods lids can be recycled.
 +
** Recycling metal sign may be confusing to some.
  
 
* '''Drill Down Questions'''
 
* '''Drill Down Questions'''
Line 79: Line 103:
 
** Note that thermal paper and carbon paper is not recyclable, which surprised most of us
 
** Note that thermal paper and carbon paper is not recyclable, which surprised most of us
 
** Found some bank statements and other office papers that might have wanted to be shredded or at least put into recycle bins if not thought sensitive
 
** Found some bank statements and other office papers that might have wanted to be shredded or at least put into recycle bins if not thought sensitive
 +
 +
* '''FOLLOW UP'''
 +
** [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/climate/recycling-wrong-mistakes.html 6 Things You're Recycling Wrong]

Latest revision as of 14:57, 4 June 2018

Return to Labs Sessions - 2018

  • Introduction
    • Waste reduction strategy upgrade desired - engage the businesses a bit more - peaks when interns come in (15 interns) - largely food related on Thursday night - container related from local restaurants - need another layer of refinement in awareness of people and thinking outside the box, relations with local businesses to adapt to new methods, take steps towards improving - container for lunches, research and talk to restaurants to see what would work for them or with them, list of restaurants that would join program to accept people bringing in Tupperware, symbol for program.
    • New paper towel dispenser pilot program (unisex bathroom in Annex) - waste reduction with new dispenser and thinner product
  • Trash Audit Design
    • Check current compliance levels
    • Analyze current waste stream content compared to what it was
    • Do per capita study compared to before, if possible - GET FROM MARTHA'S ENERGY TRACKING
    • Issue #1 - Lots of carry out cartons now - CONFIRMED STILL AN ISSUE
    • Issue #2 - Food left in fridge on Friday - CONFIRMED STILL AN ISSUE
    • Get historical data on trash weights recently; Google Docs has shared file with weights - TODAY 41 LBS FOR 9 DAYS (THURS - TO TODAY)
    • First audit was 11/4/2011
    • After Action: Talk to Recycle Here to solicit feedback on what we could do better or if anything new in the world of recycling - CAVE DAY; ASK MATT WHICH STREAMS HAVE THE MOST VALUE; METAL ALWAYS HIGH, CARDBOARD THOUGHT TO HAVE VALUE? PLASTICS TRACK THE VALUE OF OIL?
    • After Action: Drill down to hear what we do right/wrong once it gets to the sorting process or its final destination - update us on what helps and what doesn't - what ruins a stream or makes it unusable - CAVE DAY
  • Trash Audit Observations
    • Bag #1
      • When feminine products end up in paper towel recycle bag it has to be trashed
      • Too many paper towel bags to compost, so some get trashed
      • Wet paper towels become moldy if bags held for too long
    • Bag #2
      • Some plastic recyclables missed
      • Food containers from local vendors
    • Bag #3
      • One plastic cup missed
      • Styrofoam food containers from local vendors
    • Bag #4
      • Whole bagel
      • Vitamin Water bottle missed
      • Metal lid missed
    • Bag #5
      • Waste of a plastic trash bag; only a few items
      • Metal cap missed
    • Bag #6
      • Rubber bands thrown away could be reused
      • Plastic trash bag barely used - cleaner swaps out?
      • Metal tongs missed
      • Cardboard missed
      • Plastic lids missed
    • Bag #7
      • Stack of office papers missed
      • Paper towels missed
      • Glass bottle missed
    • Bag #8
      • Starbucks lid missed
      • Cardboard missed
      • Banana peels missed
      • Some food waste missed (grapes)
    • Bag #9
      • Office papers and bank statement missed (shred statement??)
      • Broken glass should be wrapped for safety
    • Bag #10
      • Overflow paper towels
      • Some styrofoam food containers
    • Bag #11
      • Overflow paper towels
    • Bag #12
      • Easter grass could be reused or recycled
      • Smoothie Place cups missed; need to be rinsed immediately after use, otherwise sticks
    • Bag #13
      • Overflow paper towels
      • Cardboard toilet paper cores mixed in also trashed with overflow paper towels; could be recycled with cardboard
    • Bag #14
      • More smoothie cups missed
    • Loose in Can
      • Metal tape measure missed
      • Electric power cord missed (metal inside)
  • Additional Notes
    • Sometimes has too much paper towel to compost; decision is made to trash excess. Unisex bathroom experimenting with new dispenser to limit to one. Some instruction on new dispenser use may be helpful.
    • Peggy had done complete clean out of kitchen the week of the audit (does about twice per year), hence the tongs.
    • Reminder: Good to opt out of catalogs and use online resources instead.
    • Thermal paper receipts are not recyclable.
    • Friday after lunch, little recycling guidance for visitors.
    • Suggestion: Bring your own recyclable or reusable straw.
    • Suggestion: Best Buy takes old power/communication cords, CDs, cellphones for recycle.
    • Suggestion: Some places recycle old power strips (check Web for resource).
    • Suggestion: Check computer repair places for disposing of old computer parts, screens, etc.
    • Lunch trash should be sorted to individual recycle streams, not thrown away all in one bag.
    • Whole Foods lids can be recycled.
    • Recycling metal sign may be confusing to some.
  • Drill Down Questions
    • SOCCRA Web site has streams that are included but not how to prep the streams, if necessary. The following are questions related to what is acceptable:
    • How does the one stream recycling work basically? Overview - ASK MATT
    • Rinsing out container - how much is enough to make recycling okay? - WATER NEXUS; SALAD DRESSING AND GREASY STUFF SHOULD NOT GO DOWN THE DRAIN ANYWAY; SWIRL AND A DUMP WITH FINGER LOOSENING, THEN DON'T BOTHER - KIRSTEN; HELEN, DUMP, WIPE, RINSE, BIN; MICHIGAN HAS WATER, SO SOME RINSING OKAY; QUESTION IS HOW CLEAN DOES IT NEED TO BE?? jOSH; ASK MATT HOW CLEAN IT NEEDS TO BE FOR THE LAY PERSON
    • Debate - how much water usage to rinse is worthwhile? Michigan vs. other states
    • Mixed media cartons for creamer - lining in creamer, orange juice - wax on outside - can they be recycled? What happens to the stream if they are included? - ASK MATT HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HANDLE INTERMITTENT SOME WAY? WILL GET TAKEN OUT OF THE STREAM IF PUT IN.
    • If container has number but cap doesn't and you leave cap on, does it impact? (NOTE: SOCCRA has cap bin and styrofoam repository now) - ASK MATT; DEPENDS ON WHO IS TAKING IT IN
    • Food absorbed cardboard - can it be recycled? - THROW IT OUT; IF SHREDDED YOU CAN COMPOST IT YOURSELF, OTHERWISE TAKES TOO LONG; CAN TAKE TOP OFF AND BURN BOTTOM AS FAKE LOG; PUT LINT IN MIDDLE AND IT GOES UP
    • Are there compostable garbage bags without extra heat needed to decompose? - ASK MATT
  • Other Notables
    • Different areas that don't recycle even now - apartments, multifamily, farming communities, some states? - IF THIS WAS A TYPICAL OFFICE BUILDING, COMPLIANCE WOULD BE MUCH LOWER, BUT THERE ARE SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE/KEEP WORKING ON
    • Plasma gasification - look up Vienna tourist attraction
    • Methane reclaim
    • Solar gasification - use solar focus
  • Conclusions - Suggestions
    • Use kiddie pool or 3 mil plastic sheeting for next audit and store in basement
    • Note that thermal paper and carbon paper is not recyclable, which surprised most of us
    • Found some bank statements and other office papers that might have wanted to be shredded or at least put into recycle bins if not thought sensitive
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