HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-12 PACKET 05.1a.Divert�►
Washington
County
As part of Building Services beginning daytime- cleaning, employees were asked to separate organics from the
garbage to study and design an improved program. Study revealed:
Recycling
180 ➢ More than 70% of what is thrown in the trash is compostable or
recyclable (52% compostable waste and 18% recyclable)
Compost ➢ Around 1,100 employees and on average each County employee
52% Trash generates 92 pounds per day or total of 72,000 pounds of garbage
V 30% per year.
➢ Divert 70 plans to reduce that amount of garbage discarded by
employees to less than 27 pounds per year.
Employee Survey
➢ A third of staff responded
➢ 69 % support a compost program and want to make sure their efforts make a difference (21 %
indifferent, 5% mildly opposed and 5 % strongly opposed)
➢ Employees compost at home and it makes sense to have the option at work.
➢ Want system and containers that are easy and convenient to use.
➢ Materials are thrown in desk -side trash container because it is easier
➢ Need to know what is compostable and collected in the program
➢ Don't want to touch bin lid because they are preparing lunch
Divert 70
New Sorting Stations:
• Easy to Use, Color -Coded
• Hands free, foot pedal operated
> New Signs
Blue: Single Sort Recycling
Green: Compost
Gray: Trash
> Single sort recycling: More
materials can be recycled like
cartons and plastic ( #1 -7).
> Composting: More materials
can be diverted from the
trash like frozen food boxes
and food - soiled pizza boxes.
> Remaining trash will be
turned into electricity.
Changes at the Desk area Desk -side trash containers removed.
Sorting stations are located within 40 steps of most employee work areas.
Employees receive a self - service desk-
top bin that can be used for collection of
compost or trash items. Desk -side
recycling boxes are being relabeled and
repurposed for one sort recycling.
Divert 70 is being implementing in
phases. Phase I October 2013 in four
Departments: Administration, Public
Health and Environment, Building
Services and Public Works North Shop.
Phase II, March 2014 will include
remaining departments.