<![CDATA[Wastecap Resource Solutions

<![CDATA[Wastecap Resource Solutions - News]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:59:25 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[Declutter Sustainably: A Guide to Reuse, Resell, and Recycle]]>Sun, 10 Aug 2025 04:04:38 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/declutter-sustainably-a-guide-to-reuse-resell-and-recycleFor businesses, decluttering isn’t just about tidying the office, it’s an opportunity to save money, support the community, and meet sustainability goals. Every desk, chair, filing cabinet, and branded t-shirt your company owns required energy, water, and raw materials to produce. When you reuse, resell, or recycle these items instead of discarding them, you conserve resources, avoid landfill waste, and demonstrate environmental responsibility to clients and employees alike.

Following the waste hierarchy ensures that the highest-impact strategies come first. Recycling is valuable, but extending the life of an item has an even bigger benefit because it avoids the environmental footprint of making something new.

This version of the waste hierarchy goes beyond “reduce, reuse, recycle” by starting with redesign and refuse: actions that prevent waste before it’s created. Reduce cuts down on unnecessary consumption, while reuse keeps materials in circulation through repairing, sharing, or repurposing. Recycle comes next, followed by composting for organics and energy recovery for items that can’t be recycled. Landfilling remains the least preferred, where valuable resources are lost entirely. The higher up the hierarchy, the greater the environmental benefit.

Step 1: Find a New Home for Items You No Longer Need

When you’re decluttering, your first question should be: Could someone else use this? If the answer is yes, then your goal is to get it into their hands, whether through donation or resale.

Sometimes the easiest way to start is with a quick search like “where to donate office supplies near me” or “electronic recycling drop-off”. You’ll often find local nonprofits, shelters, or specialized programs you didn’t know existed.

Nationwide donation options:

Goodwill – Accepts office furniture, electronics, and some supplies.
The Salvation Army – Takes office furniture and equipment; many locations offer free pickup.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores – Accepts building materials, appliances, and furniture.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) – Picks up small furniture, electronics, and office items in many regions.

Resale:

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor – Sell or give away desks, chairs, or storage locally.
eBay – Ideal for surplus electronics or office equipment.

Reusing extends the lifespan of items, prevents the environmental costs of new production, and supports nonprofits in your community.

Step 2: Repair or Repurpose

A chipped desk or wobbly chair might just need a simple repair. Repurposing outdated shelving into breakroom storage or converting unused filing cabinets into planters for an office green space can add function without cost.

Repair and repurposing not only save money but also strengthen your business’s reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility.

Step 3: Sustainable Junk Removal

When reuse and repair aren’t possible, partner with a removal service that shares your sustainability values. Camo Crew Junk Removal, a veteran-owned business in Butler, WI, serves Milwaukee and surrounding areas with commercial and office clean-outs. They handle everything from office furniture and electronics to construction debris, diverting as much as possible to donation and recycling instead of landfill. Learn more at camocrewjunkremoval.com.

Step 4: Recycle Responsibly

For items that can’t be reused, recycling ensures valuable materials are recovered.

If you’re in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Recycling Directory is your go-to resource. Just type in what you want to recycle, add your ZIP code, and see nearby drop-off locations. You can search for everything from electronics and scrap metal to textiles and lightbulbs.

Nationwide recycling programs:

Best Buy – Electronics and appliances
Staples – Electronics, ink/toner cartridges, batteries
TerraCycle – Mail-in programs for hard-to-recycle items like snack wrappers or coffee pods
Call2Recycle – Rechargeable battery recycling drop-off locations

Recycling diverts waste from landfills, reduces methane emissions, and recovers valuable materials so they can be used again. This lowers the demand for virgin resource extraction and supports a circular economy that turns old products into new ones.

By following the waste hierarchy and using resources like the Wisconsin Recycling Directory, you can make decluttering part of your sustainability efforts. Every item you keep out of the landfill is a step toward a cleaner, more resource-conscious future.

Lands’ End’s Apparel Recycling Program

In August 2023, Lands’ End teamed up with Recover™, a global producer of recycled cotton fiber, to launch a low-impact denim line that incorporates 20% recycled cotton fiber sourced from textile waste scraps. This collaboration demonstrates how businesses can integrate textile waste back into the supply chain, helping to close the loop on sustainability.

Lands’ End’s commitment extends further: it partners with Martex Fiber, a North American textile recycler, to manage pre- and post-consumer waste under their “No Fiber Left Behind” pledge, ensuring that obsolete apparel doesn’t go to landfills.

Bottom line

By aligning office decluttering with the waste hierarchy, businesses can cut costs, support local organizations, and meet sustainability commitments. Whether it’s rehoming furniture through Goodwill, recycling branded apparel through Lands’ End’s programs, or hiring Como Crew for a responsible office cleanout, every action you take moves your business toward a cleaner, more resource-conscious future.

]]><![CDATA[Small Steps, Big Impact; Waste Reduction Starts With Your Team]]>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:10:30 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/small-steps-big-impact-waste-reduction-starts-with-your-teamCreating a sustainable workplace is not just about reducing emissions or cutting waste. It is also about culture. Engaging employees in environmental initiatives can ignite motivation, foster a sense of ownership, and build stronger connections across your organization. When people feel they are part of something meaningful, they show up differently: more creatively, more collaboratively, and more committed to your company’s mission.

Why You Should Engage Your Employees in Sustainability

Employees today want more than a paycheck. They want purpose. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 89 percent of Gen Z and 92 percent of Millennials say that purpose is a key factor in their job satisfaction and overall well-being. These generations now make up the majority of the workforce, and they are actively seeking employers that align with their values, especially when it comes to environmental and social responsibility.

Gallup’s 2025 “State of the Global Workplace” report found that only 21 percent of employees globally felt engaged in 2024, and that number is trending downward. However, employees who strongly agree that their organization makes a positive impact on the world are twice as likely to be engaged in their jobs. In other words, when employees are part of something bigger than themselves.

When businesses invest in sustainability and invite employees to take part, it shows leadership is thinking beyond profit. It demonstrates a commitment to doing good, and gives employees a reason to feel proud of where they work.

Sustainability engagement also builds community. Recycling drives, waste audits, or office composting challenges are natural team-building opportunities that promote creativity and connection. These activities create common ground across departments, giving people something to work toward together that is not just about the next deadline or deliverable. They create culture.

The impact goes beyond the office. When employees learn sustainable habits at work (like how to sort waste properly or reduce single-use plastics), they often bring those habits home. They talk about them with friends, influence their families, and create a ripple effect of awareness and action.

how to get started

You do not need to launch a full-scale sustainability initiative overnight. Start small and meet your employees where they are. A few great starting points include:

Hosting a waste-free lunch or green potluck
Creating a recycling education station in the breakroom
Organizing a friendly competition between teams to reduce waste or energy use
Inviting a local expert for a sustainability lunch and learn
Conducting a hands-on trash sort to assess what your office is really throwing away

The key is to make it interactive, inclusive, and tangible. Sustainability is most effective when people experience it directly. That is when it becomes real.

WasteCap in Action: How We Help Companies Bring Sustainability to Life

At WasteCap, we help companies turn sustainability into something employees can see, touch, and be a part of. One company partnered with us for a two-day on-site recycling challenge where employees sorted materials, reviewed waste station set-ups, and got feedback on contamination and diversion. By participating in the process, they became more aware of their personal impact and walked away inspired to change habits both in and out of the office.

In March, we brought that same energy to a local school where students joined our team to look at real trash and talk about where materials go when they leave the bin. The excitement and curiosity we saw in that classroom reminded us that sustainability education is just as important for the next generation as it is for the current one.

Ready to empower your people?

Whether you want to kick off a new initiative or build on what you already have in place, WasteCap can help. From waste audits and recycling workshops to employee education and community partnerships, we design programs that are engaging, practical, and customized to your goals.

Let us help make sustainability something your employees feel connected to and proud of. When your people are part of the solution, the impact goes far beyond your walls.

]]><![CDATA[How Small Businesses Can Start Diverting Waste Today]]>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:18:32 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/how-small-businesses-can-start-diverting-waste-todayWaste is more than just what ends up in a landfill. Waste is everything you bought, moved, stored, and paid to throw away. For many small businesses, it’s also one of the biggest missed opportunities.

Every decision we make as business owners (what we buy, how we package, where we toss) has ripple effects. That means every small change has power. Whether you’re a coffee shop, contractor, or corner boutique, this blog breaks down why waste diversion matters, how to get started, and how WasteCap can support you along the way.

Why Waste Diversion Matters (Especially for Small Businesses)

Most companies only track the cost of disposing of waste, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The total cost of waste includes everything a company spends on materials and labor before those materials are even thrown away. By the time something ends up in your trash can, it’s already burned through enormous amounts of water, energy, labor, and money.

Here’s what the cost of waste looks like:

~60% of the cost comes from buying materials (like raw goods or water) that end up being wasted instead of used in the final product.
~20% of the cost comes from processing those materials (labor, energy, equipment, and time) before they are wasted.
~10% of the cost goes toward waste prevention and environmental programs, such as training staff or meeting compliance requirements.
~10% of the cost comes from the actual disposal of waste, including hauling, landfill, or recycling services.

Less waste means lower costs, less risk, and a stronger brand. If you care about your bottom line and your impact, this is the place to start.

WHAT IS WASTE DIVERSION?

Waste diversion is exactly what it sounds like: diverting materials away from landfill. That can mean:

Reuse (giving items a second life)
Recycling (turning them into raw materials)
Composting (returning them to the earth)

Waste diversion means redesigning your system so less waste exists in the first place. It means refusing unnecessary materials, reducing what you bring in, and reusing what you already have.

Want to dig deeper into how to align this with long-term strategy?

Click here to learn more in our Sustainability Plan blog

HOW TO START DIVERTING WASTE

1. Track What You Use (and Waste)

Use spreadsheets, waste audits, or even visual inspections to get a sense of what’s in your bins. Start simple:

Pounds of trash per week
Bags of recycling per day
% of materials sent to compost

Pro tip: Compare your waste streams against your production or revenue to see where your biggest wins might be.

2. Use the Waste Hierarchy

Recycling is good. Designing waste out of your system is better.

3. Rethink Processes

Ask:

Can this material be reused?
Do I need this much packaging?
Is there a local supplier with less waste?
Are my customers asking for sustainable alternatives?

Every system you touch (from purchasing to disposal) has a chance to improve.

4. Train and Communicate

Post clear signage (in multiple languages if needed)
Assign someone to track and educate
Include your plan in team onboarding
Celebrate progress with your staff!

5. Quantify the Wins

What did you keep out of the landfill?
How much money did you save?
How much CO₂ did you keep out of the atmosphere?

Sharing these wins not only builds momentum internally, it shows your customers that you walk the walk.

CERTIFICATIONS THAT HELP YOU GO FURTHER

Certifications are powerful tools for small businesses to stand out, stay accountable, and get recognized.

Here are a few we support:

TRUE Zero Waste®: Comprehensive waste reduction across all business systems
LEED®: For construction, renovation, and building operations
Lake Friendly: Local, plastic-free program focused on restaurants and food businesses
STARS®: A transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure sustainability performance
Living Building Challenge®: The most rigorous sustainable building certification, focused on regenerative design and zero waste goals

Interested in learning how certifications work?

Click here to learn more in our Certification blog

REAL IMPACT IN WISCONSIN

The EPA’s WARM model helps quantify the environmental and economic benefits of putting construction and demolition (C&D) waste to better use.

If we use Wisconsin as an example, the 325,000 tons of C&D material landfilled in 2021 that could have been reused or recycled instead would have:

Extended the life of every landfill in Wisconsin by one full month
Spared 3,000 acres of land from being stripped for wood, metals, and stone
Saved businesses over $12 million in hauling costs

But the ripple effects go beyond cost savings:

The climate impact would be equivalent to removing 4,000 cars from the road
The water savings would protect enough clean drinking water for 3 million people
And local pollution would be reduced across construction-heavy regions

There are also soft benefits: building owners, contractors, and designers that prioritize reuse and recycling position themselves as environmental leaders which is something customers, investors, and communities increasingly care about.

HOW WASTECAP CAN HELP

Sustainability can feel overwhelming, especially when getting into the nitty-gritty of things. That’s where we come in.

WasteCap offers:

Hands-on training for your team
Waste audits and clean stream tracking
Help connecting with local haulers and recyclers
Guidance through certifications like TRUE and Lake Friendly
Customized diversion plans

We’ve been doing this since 1995 and we’re still passionate about helping Wisconsin businesses turn waste into resources. We’re here to help you measure what matters, design out what doesn’t, and build a business that aligns with your values and your goals.

🌐 Learn more at wastecap.org
📩Ready to talk about your specific business needs? Fill out our quick interest form here.

Let’s make waste a thing of the past.

]]><![CDATA[How to Build a Sustainability Business Plan]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 22:10:03 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/how-to-build-a-sustainability-business-planWhen it comes to sustainability, many small businesses feel they need to have all the answers before getting started. In reality, the most impactful thing you can do is take the first step: begin tracking.

A sustainability business plan doesn’t need to be complex or costly. At its core, it’s about understanding your material flows, identifying inefficiencies, and taking measurable action. Whether you’re a coffee shop, boutique retailer, or construction firm, the path to sustainability begins with one simple shift: turning your waste into resources.

Why Waste Matters More Than You Think

Waste isn’t just what ends up in the dumpster. It includes the cost of materials purchased but never used, the energy and water required to process them, and the labor spent moving, storing, and eventually discarding them.

The full cost of waste includes:

The cost of materials that are ultimately wasted
The cost of processing those materials before they’re discarded
The cost of managing and preventing waste
The cost of treatment and disposal

These hidden costs can quickly add up. Most businesses focus only on disposal fees, overlooking the larger losses tied up in unused materials and inefficient processes. That’s why tracking is so important. By keeping a record of what materials are coming in, how much is being used, and where it ends up, you gain the insight needed to reduce waste, cut expenses, and improve efficiency. Tracking is the foundation for every smart sustainability decision that follows.

Step 1: Just Start Tracking

Start with what you already know. Create a list of materials your business uses regularly and answer the following questions for each:

What is the material? (e.g., Cardboard, plastic wrap, aluminum cans, food scraps)
How much do you generate? (Estimate weight or volume per month.)
What happens to it? (e.g., Landfill, recycling, compost, reuse, salvage)
Who hauls it away? (Which waste hauler? Where does it go?)
What does it cost? (Disposal fees, hauling costs, rebates if applicable)

➡️ Pro Tip: Standardize your metrics. For example, track Amount of Landfill / Unit of Product Sold (lb/$) or Amount of Recycling / Unit of Product Sold (lb/$). This helps normalize your data over time and gives you a better sense of progress as your business grows. Here is where you’ll start to understand part of the “cost” element of your waste.

Case STUDY: TOYOTA

Toyota’s North American parts operations switched from single-use cardboard and wood packaging to reusable shipping containers.

The results were dramatic:

27.93 pounds of waste eliminated per use
Over $1 billion saved from 2002 to 2013

This change not only reduced landfill-bound materials, it streamlined Toyota’s logistics operations, reduced packaging costs, and supported a more circular supply chain.

case study: kellogg's

In 2013, Kellogg’s Chicago 31st facility was sending up to 30 tons of trash to landfill each month, with a diversion rate below 50%.

Determined to improve, the site challenged its waste management team to identify better recycling methods and engaged all 300 employees in efforts to reduce the amount of waste generated.

The results were significant:

Achieved TRUE Gold certification
Increased diversion rate to 95.5%
Reduced waste management program costs by 80%
Cut finished goods packaging size by 21%
Focused on front-end waste reduction and reuse systems for transportation and storage

This case shows how employee engagement and process redesign can drive both environmental and financial performance.

CASE STUDY: MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS

Mountain Rose Herbs achieved TRUE Platinum certification by implementing comprehensive waste reduction strategies and a company-wide culture of continuous improvement.

Key highlights include:

96% of waste diverted from landfill
70,000 pounds of herbs donated to local farms in 2015
Use of biodegradable and recycled air pillows and recycled content fill materials for shipping
A dedicated Green Team and three Master Recyclers on staff to lead employee education and improvement efforts
Use of reclaimed furniture and FSC-certified timber from a local company to outfit their first retail store in 2016

Their approach reflects a commitment not just to sustainability, but to community impact and long-term systems change.

Step 2: WasteCap Can Help You Go Further

Understanding and managing waste streams can be complex, but you don’t have to go it alone. WasteCap offers a full suite of services that support businesses through every stage of waste reduction, from baseline understanding to continuous improvement:

1. Waste Audits

We offer three types of waste audits to fit your specific needs:

Operational Waste Audit – Examines how you're handling waste in daily operations, asking “how and why” materials flow through your facility—covering things like sorting processes, billing, and equipment.
Waste Characterization Audit – Provides a “big picture” snapshot of your waste streams, including diversion rates and opportunities to improve system-wide efficiency.
Zero Waste Audit – A deep dive into individual material types, tracking purchase costs, handling, disposal, and identifying paths to eliminate or reuse the items.

These audits uncover inefficient purchasing, sorting errors, contamination, and hidden cost-saving opportunities. Periodic audits help confirm progress and solidify a culture of continuous improvement.

2. Facility Operations & Ongoing Planning

WasteCap works with your team to implement a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach:

Map your materials from purchase to disposal
Review and optimize collection schedules and disposal contracts
Train staff and engage stakeholders to ensure clear processes
Track results and costs each month, identifying opportunities for service adjustments or material substitutions

This cycle supports continual refinement—transforming waste management from a reactive task to a proactive, strategic asset.

3. Data Collection, Reporting & Tools

Our team consistently compiles and validates key performance metrics, such as:

Monthly diversion rates
Hauling service efficiencies
Disposal vs. recycling costs

We then analyze trends, benchmark performance, and recommend adjustments to ensure your operations evolve and stay cost-effective.

4. Education, Outreach & Certification Support

Effective waste reduction is as much about people as it is about processes:

We provide training, produce clear signage, and run engagement programs for staff, tenants, and customers
We assist with aligning waste management data to support certifications like LEED®, TRUE Zero Waste®, STARS®, or Living Building Challenge
Membership benefits include check-ins, audits, reminders, and support for maintaining certifications

We help businesses at every stage: from those just beginning to track waste to those working toward third-party certification.

If you’d like to explore how we can support your business, fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch.

Step 3: Set Goals and Make Improvements

With tracking data in hand, you can set realistic, data-informed goals. Start small:

Reduce landfill waste by 20% in 6 months
Eliminate all Styrofoam containers
Divert all cardboard from trash
Compost 100% of pre-consumer food waste

Tracking gives you the baseline. From there, it’s all about progress—and WasteCap is here to guide and support that journey.

Final Thoughts

Creating a sustainability business plan doesn’t require a ten-year strategy or an environmental science degree. It requires a willingness to look closely at what you’re throwing away and why.

Start simple. Start tracking.

Visit www.wastecap.org to learn more about audits, reporting tools, and support services.

Ready to talk about your specific business needs? Fill out our quick interest form here.

Let’s turn waste into opportunity—together.

]]><![CDATA[Confused About Recycling? This Directory Is For You]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:29:20 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/confused-about-recycling-this-directory-is-for-you

Recycling should be simple, but when you're staring at a pile of broken cords, dead batteries, or mystery plastics, it's easy to get stuck. That’s why the Wisconsin Recycling Directory exists. It’s a free, public tool designed to help you save money and responsibly dispose of the stuff you can’t just throw in the bin.

Whether you’re deep cleaning your basement, managing waste at your business, or just trying to keep batteries out of the landfill, this tool is worth bookmarking. Here’s exactly how it works, what to type in, and how to make the most of it.

WHAT IT IS

The Wisconsin Recycling Directory is an online search tool hosted by RecycleSearch, in partnership with the WI DNR, that helps you find where to recycle, donate, or safely dispose of specific materials in your area. It covers hundreds of facilities and drop-off sites across the state: from county programs and private haulers to specialty recyclers.

It’s super easy to use, it's free and no account needed!

HOW TO USE IT

Visit https://recyclesearch.com/profile/wi-directory
Click “Search by Material”
This is the most effective way to start. You’ll see a big grid of material categories—electronics, paint, yard waste, textiles, and more. Clicking on one opens up a list of commonly recycled items in that category.
Or, use the search bar
Type in exactly what you’re trying to get rid of. If you don’t get results, try a slightly broader term—like “electronics” instead of “printer." Here are a few examples:
- “TV” or “CRT television”
- “Latex paint”
- “Motor oil”
- “Clothing”
- “Plastic film” or “plastic bags”
- “Fluorescent light bulb”
- “Shingles”
- “Mattress”
- “Rechargeable battery”
- “Scrap metal”
- “Propane tank”
- “Packing peanuts”
- “Dehumidifier”
Browse results
You’ll get a list of facilities that accept that item in Wisconsin. Browse the map and see which is closest to you! Pro tip: Click “Visit Profile” on a result to see exactly what they take and how they handle it. Not all facilities accept all subtypes of a material, so double-check before heading out.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE IT

Using the directory keeps materials out of landfills, reduces contamination in your curbside bin, and supports local businesses that specialize in responsible recovery. It also helps you feel good about making the extra effort to do it right.

Let’s stop letting confusion be the reason we send things to landfill. Bookmark the Wisconsin Recycling Directory, use it often, and share it with your friends.

When to Use It

Spring cleaning or garage purging
Moving apartments or downsizing
Getting rid of hazardous household waste (e.g. chemicals, bulbs, batteries)
Running a recycling drive at school or work
Trying to responsibly dispose of anything not accepted curbside

Bookmark it. use it. share it.

The Wisconsin Recycling Directory is one of the most practical, underused sustainability tools out there. It's free, fast, and surprisingly thorough. So next time you’re tempted to toss something, take 20 seconds and search to see if it can be recycled first, because if we all make better choices, even just a few times a year, it adds up and compounds over time.

]]><![CDATA[Certify Your Building With WasteCap: Here’s How & Why It Matters]]>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:39:15 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/certify-your-building-with-wastecap-heres-how-why-it-mattersIf your building is pursuing LEED, TRUE, or other green building certifications, WasteCap is here to help. Whether you're designing a new facility or optimizing your existing operations, our team guides you through the entire certification process: from strategy and documentation to final submission.

We don’t just hand you a checklist. We roll up our sleeves and work alongside your team to make it happen.

what we do

At WasteCap, our certification support is grounded in hands-on experience. We’ve worked with contractors, architects, developers, and facilities managers across Wisconsin to certify buildings, job sites, and business operations using nationally recognized sustainability standards.

Some of the most common certifications we help with include:

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Recognizes high-performance buildings focused on energy use, water efficiency, material selection, and sustainable site development.

TRUE Zero Waste
Helps organizations divert at least 90% of waste from landfills and incineration by rethinking systems and streamlining operations.

STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System)
Designed for colleges and universities, STARS provides a transparent, self-reporting framework for measuring sustainability performance across academics, operations, and engagement.

Living Building Challenge
One of the most rigorous green building standards in the world, Living Building Challenge pushes projects to go beyond sustainability: to be regenerative. It includes performance requirements in areas like energy, water, equity, materials, and beauty.

Each certification comes with its own rules, acronyms, and paperwork. That’s where we come in. We’ve helped construction sites, warehouses, office buildings, and manufacturing facilities receive certifications without losing time or clarity. Whether you’re aiming for formal recognition or simply trying to meet internal benchmarks, we take the guesswork out of what needs to be done and how to do it right.

Our team helps you:

Select the right pathway for your goals and operations
Conduct assessments and identify quick wins
Create or refine policies, procedures, and signage
Complete documentation and manage credit submissions
Train staff, vendors, or contractors on certification requirements
Track metrics with TRACE platform to measure and report progress

Why Certification Is Worth IT

Getting certified isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s a powerful way to reduce environmental impact, cut operational costs, and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to sustainability.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

Cost savings from reduced energy, water, and waste
Increased asset value and potential tax benefits
Improved employee and tenant satisfaction
Recognition and marketability to clients, partners, and investors
Compliance support for ESG, municipal, or grant reporting

Because WasteCap is a nonprofit, working with us may also qualify as a tax-deductible professional service expense—making certification support not only impactful, but affordable.

how it works

We tailor every engagement based on your building’s size, type, and goals. Our process usually follows four key phases:

Initial Consultation
We assess your current operations, review any existing documentation, and identify the right certification pathway.
Goal Setting & Roadmapping
Next, we outline a clear action plan, assign roles, and establish timelines to ensure every requirement is met.
Implementation & Support
We help you make the necessary changes—whether that’s sourcing recycled content materials, training your staff, updating signage, or reworking your waste stream.
Site Audits
From construction walkthroughs to waste audits, we show up where it counts. Our team conducts in-person visits to track progress, troubleshoot challenges, and work directly with your staff, because real change happens on-site, not just on paper.
Tracking & Submission
Finally, we handle the reporting, documentation, and submission process. We also help you create easy-to-understand visuals and summaries to share with stakeholders.

Ready to certify?

Whether you're starting from scratch or picking up where another team left off, WasteCap brings the knowledge, tools, and accountability to help you succeed. With a focus on practical strategies and measurable outcomes, we make the certification process simpler, more transparent, and more rewarding.

Visit wastecap.org to learn more about our services or submit a project inquiry form. Let’s build something better together.

]]><![CDATA[Barriers to Sustainability and How to Overcome Them]]>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:31:37 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/barriers-to-sustainability-and-how-to-overcome-themLet’s be honest—sustainability is easy to talk about but seemingly harder to implement. Even when organizations genuinely want to reduce their impact, roadblocks like money, time, and capacity often get in the way. While those barriers are real, they’re not impossible to overcome. In fact, we’re seeing more and more examples of how companies, cities, and nonprofits are getting creative and resourceful, especially when the right tools are in place.

Here’s a breakdown of the six biggest barriers to sustainability and a few ways to start breaking through them.

1. “It’s Too Expensive”

The myth that sustainability is too costly is one of the most common, and one of the most misunderstood. Upfront investments like energy-efficient systems, compost infrastructure, or waste audits can seem intimidating, but those costs are often offset by long-term savings, tax credits, and avoided landfill fees. It’s not just about doing good, it’s about doing smart business.

May 2025 showcase of the results of the Milwaukee Food Waste & Recovery Study

Take food waste, for example. Our Food Waste Assessment in Milwaukee found that over 140,000 tons of food could be diverted from the landfill every year. That’s food with a value of $94.5 million annually. Not only does that number speak to the environmental harm of waste, it shows just how much economic opportunity is being thrown away. When businesses redistribute or compost instead of trashing it, they can cut disposal costs, qualify for tax incentives, and create new revenue streams.

2. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME"

Time is a real challenge. Many organizations are understaffed and overwhelmed. Sustainability can feel like just one more thing on an already full plate. But the key is to start small and start smart. Rather than overhauling everything at once, we encourage our partners to start with a waste audit. It’s a fast, focused way to understand where the biggest opportunities are. In many cases, just a few simple operational changes can drastically reduce waste with minimal time investment. WasteCap can help you take those first steps, whether it's conducting a waste audit, identifying opportunities, or guiding you through the changes. We're here to make sustainability manageable and achievable.

We’ve seen success when organizations approach sustainability the same way they would a safety plan or compliance checklist: prioritize what’s required, get help from experts, and chip away at the changes. Over time, those small steps add up.

3. “We Don’t Have the People or Tools”

Not every organization has a sustainability manager or a full-time team. Lack of internal staff capacity is one of the most cited reasons for inaction, but it does not have to be a dealbreaker. Today, there are more tools and external resources than ever before designed specifically to support sustainability with limited internal capacity. From waste tracking apps to AI-powered reporting to virtual training programs, a lot of the heavy lifting can now be outsourced or automated. The problem is not that the tools do not exist. It is that many people still do not know they are available or how to access them.

At WasteCap, we regularly work with organizations that have no internal sustainability staff. We help them design custom programs, conduct waste audits, write signage, and interpret data. That kind of external support can be the difference between a stalled-out effort and a successful one. Plus, with new technologies becoming more affordable and user-friendly, even small teams can manage meaningful progress. You do not have to do everything. You just have to be willing to ask for help, use the tools that already exist, and start with one area at a time.

4. “Leadership Isn’t Bought In”

You can have the most motivated staff in the world, but if leadership is not on board, the road to sustainability gets a lot harder. When the people at the top do not understand or prioritize environmental goals, projects get deprioritized, funding dries up, and progress stalls. Sometimes it is because leaders see sustainability as a “nice to have” rather than a core business issue. Other times, they simply are not aware of the potential impact or the risk of doing nothing.

What changes that? Framing. If leadership sees sustainability as a cost center or a moral initiative, they might not act, but if they see it as an opportunity for innovation, efficiency, resilience, and brand equity, it becomes a smart investment. The pressure is also growing from customers, regulators, and investors. Environmental and social governance (ESG) metrics are becoming standard. Companies that fail to act are falling behind. The case for sustainability is no longer just about doing the right thing, it is about staying relevant and competitive.

5. “People Won’t Change”

It is easy to get frustrated when systems are in place, but people do not follow them. Whether it is someone tossing recyclables in the trash or misusing a compost bin, behavior change is one of the hardest parts of implementing sustainable practices. People have habits, and habits are hard to break. This is especially true in shared spaces, like offices, schools, or apartment buildings, where there is not always accountability or ownership over the outcome, but people do change. They need clarity, consistency, and a reason to care. Clear signage, smart bin placement, ongoing reminders, and positive reinforcement can go a long way. Making the sustainable choice the easier one is key. If composting requires a long walk or confusing steps, most people will skip it, but if it is convenient and intuitive, participation goes up. Cultural change takes time, but it is possible. When people feel part of something bigger and see their efforts making a difference, they usually want to keep doing it.

WasteCap can support your team with employee engagement and buy-in. We offer workshops to educate staff on sustainability goals, strategies, and their role in the process. From one-time trainings to ongoing support, we help build a culture where sustainable practices stick.

6. “We Don’t Know Where to Start”

Sustainability can feel overwhelming. There is so much to consider (waste, energy, water, emissions, transportation, purchasing, packaging) that it can be hard to know where to even begin. This leads a lot of organizations to freeze. The fear of doing it “wrong” stops them from doing anything at all, but sustainability does not require perfection or a ten-year strategic plan on day one. It just requires a starting point.

The best thing you can do is begin with what is most visible or most urgent. If your dumpsters are overflowing, start with waste. If your energy bills are through the roof, start with lighting or HVAC. Choose one area, assess where things stand, and identify one or two simple improvements. That first step will provide insight, data, and momentum. From there, the rest starts to come into focus. You do not need to have all the answers to get started. You just need to start.

At WasteCap, we suggest beginning by tracking a few key metrics, nothing fancy, even a simple Excel sheet works. Start today. If you're unsure where to begin or what to track, we can help you set it up. That’s what we’re here for: guiding you through the first step so you can build from there.

Final Thoughts

Every organization hits barriers, but what matters is how you respond to them. We do not have to choose between sustainability and practicality. With the right approach, they can go hand in hand. It is not about being perfect. It is about doing better, one decision at a time.

The truth is none of these barriers are permanent. What feels impossible today often becomes second nature tomorrow. Whether it is a lack of money, time, tools, leadership support, or clarity, it can be solved. The worst thing we can do is wait, because when it comes to sustainability, the longer we wait, the more we lose.

]]><![CDATA[Sustainability Meets Profit: The Business Case for Sustainability]]>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:32:49 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/sustainability-meets-profit-the-business-case-for-sustainabilityWhen most people hear the word “sustainability,” they think of solar panels, paper straws, and ambitious climate pledges. Rarely do we associate sustainability with profit. But as the global economy shifts, this relationship is evolving. The truth is, sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for business too.

From reducing energy costs to qualifying for green tax credits and subsidies, companies are discovering that sustainable practices can lead to tangible financial rewards. This blog post explores how businesses can actually save, and even make, money by going green. We’ll look at real economic benefits, government incentives, and how sustainability is shaping the future of profitability.

Cutting Costs Through Efficiency

Let’s start with the basics: being sustainable often means being more efficient. Businesses that reduce waste, cut energy usage, or switch to more efficient systems often see immediate savings. For example, upgrading to LED lighting, improving insulation, or installing smart energy management systems can drastically lower monthly utility bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial buildings waste up to 30% of the energy they consume, presenting a huge opportunity for efficiency upgrades to reduce usage (and costs) by that amount or more.

Beyond utilities, many companies are also cutting down on material waste. Less packaging, digital documents, and closed-loop manufacturing processes not only conserve resources but lower supply and disposal costs. Unilever saved over €1 billion by improving the resource efficiency of its factories between 2008 and 2020. When less is wasted, more is saved.

Green Tax Credits and Government Incentives

Federal and state governments have recognized that sustainability efforts deserve financial support. Through a variety of tax credits, grants, and subsidies, businesses can recoup some of the initial costs of implementing green infrastructure.

Here are a few key incentives available to businesses in the U.S.:

Investment Tax Credit (ITC): Businesses that invest in solar energy systems are currently eligible for a 30% federal tax credit. While this rate was originally set to continue through 2033, it will now drop to 18% in 2026, 6% in 2027, and phase out completely by 2028. However, projects can still qualify for the full 30% if physical work begins or at least 5% of project costs are incurred by the end of 2025, even if the system is completed later.
Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (Section 179D): This allows businesses to deduct the cost of energy-efficient upgrades (such as HVAC, lighting, and building envelope improvements) up to $5.81 per square foot.
Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC): Companies that generate their own renewable energy (such as wind or geothermal) can qualify for per-kilowatt-hour tax credits.
State and Local Incentives: Many state and municipal governments offer rebates and performance-based incentives. For example, California offers financing for clean vehicle fleets, while New York provides subsidies for green building retrofits.

In addition to tax benefits, programs like the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offer grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects targeted toward small businesses and agricultural producers.

Turning Sustainability into a Revenue Stream

Today’s consumers are voting with their dollars. A 2021 First Insight report found that 73% of Gen Z shoppers and 68% of Millennials are willing to pay more for sustainable products. These numbers are only rising as climate concerns become more urgent and transparency becomes the expectation, not the exception. For younger buyers in particular, sustainability isn’t a niche preference, it’s a baseline requirement. Businesses that ignore this shift risk becoming irrelevant

Allbirds' Men's Tree Dasher 2 Sneakers

Brands like Patagonia and Allbirds have proven that sustainability isn’t just compatible with profitability, it can be a key differentiator. Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign actually encouraged people to consume less, but it resulted in a spike in sales and solidified the brand’s identity as a values-driven leader. Similarly, Allbirds built its entire business around natural materials, carbon transparency, and regenerative farming. Their approach helped them grow from a startup to a billion-dollar company in less than five years

Patagonia's 2011 "Don't Buy This Jacket"

This trend isn't confined to apparel. Across industries, companies are turning sustainability into a revenue-generating asset.

Automotive: Electric vehicles (EVs) have created an entirely new market segment, with Tesla proving that consumers will pay a premium for eco-conscious performance. Now, nearly every major automaker is following suit: Ford’s F-150 Lightning, GM’s electric Hummer, and Volkswagen’s ID line all signal where demand is heading.
Technology: Tech companies like Google and Microsoft match 100% of their annual electricity use with renewable energy purchases, primarily through power purchase agreements (PPAs) and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Both companies are now pursuing more ambitious goals (like Google’s aim to run on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030) to reduce real-time emissions, strengthen brand reputation, and attract environmentally conscious clients.
Food & Beverage: Fast food chains like Burger King and McDonald’s are offering plant-based options like the Impossible Whopper and McPlant. Meanwhile, Chipotle and Sweetgreen are building entire brand stories around supply chain transparency, local sourcing, and sustainable farming. These initiatives aren’t just for show, they’re increasing foot traffic and customer retention.
Beauty & Personal Care: Brands like The Body Shop, Lush, and Aesop have made sustainability central to their brand promise. From refillable packaging to vegan ingredients, these companies have carved out loyal customer bases willing to pay more for products that align with their values.
Hospitality: Hotels and resorts are finding that sustainability is a major differentiator, especially among business travelers and international guests. LEED-certified buildings, zero-waste operations, and carbon offset options are no longer luxuries, they’re expectations for a growing share of travelers.

Clothing Rental Service: Nuuly

Sustainability also opens the door to entirely new product lines and services. Think of the rise of resale and rental platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Rent the Runway. These companies are built on the circular economy model, which focuses on reuse, sharing, and longevity over single-use consumption. What began as a niche concept has become mainstream, attracting major brand partnerships and expanding across industries, from fashion to furniture.

Additionally, brands that lead in sustainability can charge a green premium. Whether it's a certified organic label, carbon-neutral packaging, or a B Corp certification, consumers are showing they will pay more for transparency and accountability. This premium pricing doesn’t alienate, it reinforces brand trust. Customers feel like their purchase is part of a bigger mission.

Most importantly, sustainability provides a story: something for consumers to believe in. In an era where marketing is about more than features and benefits, a compelling sustainability narrative helps brands connect emotionally. And that emotional connection? It’s what keeps customers coming back.

So yes, sustainability is about doing the right thing. But it’s also a strategic move. Done right, it’s not just a side project, it becomes central to how a company innovates, markets, and grows

learn more about Google's sustainability efforts

risk mitigation and long-term strategy

Sustainability isn’t just about doing what’s right, it’s about minimizing risk. Climate change, supply chain disruptions, and resource scarcity all pose significant threats to traditional business models. By implementing sustainable practices now, companies are protecting themselves from rising resource costs and regulatory changes in the future.

Think of it like insurance. A company that relies on fossil fuels or single-use plastic is relying on a world that’s moving away from those things. A company that invests in circular supply chains or renewables is building resilience. And that stability matters, investors are taking notice.

Major financial institutions are now factoring ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria into their investment decisions. BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset managers, has publicly stated that “climate risk is investment risk.” In other words, if your business isn’t planning for a sustainable future, your valuation may suffer.

BlackRock's ESG Analysis

The Role of ESG in Attracting Investors

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are now a cornerstone of responsible investing, and mounting research shows that they’re closely tied to long-term financial success. A 2021 meta-analysis by NYU Stern and Rockefeller Asset Management reviewed over 1,000 studies and found that the majority showed a positive relationship between ESG performance and financial returns, particularly over longer time horizons. Similarly, Morgan Stanley’s “Sustainable Reality” report revealed that sustainable funds not only matched the performance of traditional funds but often carried lower downside risk. Bank of America research further emphasized that companies with poor ESG scores were more likely to face bankruptcy within five years, while those with strong ESG practices outperformed on average. As MSCI also noted in its “ESG Trends to Watch” report, companies that prioritize ESG tend to benefit from lower capital costs, more stable earnings, and stronger reputational value. In short, sustainable companies are more forward-thinking, better at managing risk, and more aligned with the expectations of both regulators and the public, positioning them for long-term success.

For public companies, this means stronger stock performance and improved access to capital. For private businesses, a good ESG record can lead to venture capital, partnerships, or acquisition opportunities. Sustainability isn’t just a side goal, it’s a strategic asset.

Internal Culture and Employee Retention

Sustainability also plays a role in company culture. Employees want to work for organizations that reflect their values. A sustainable business signals that it cares about more than just profit, and that can lead to better morale, lower turnover, and stronger recruitment

In a time when many companies struggle to retain employees, sustainability can be a competitive advantage. Google, for example, has implemented green building designs, carbon-neutral campuses, and bike-to-work programs. These efforts aren’t just environmentally friendly, they make people want to work there.

Case Study: Microsoft’s Carbon Negative Goal

One of the most compelling examples of sustainability and profit working hand-in-hand is Microsoft. In 2020, the tech giant announced it would become carbon negative by 2030, removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.

This wasn’t just a goodwill gesture. Microsoft has since secured multi-million-dollar contracts with governments and corporations seeking carbon-conscious partners. Their environmental stance also strengthens their employer brand, helping them recruit and retain top talent in a competitive industry.

By embedding sustainability into their business model, Microsoft isn’t losing money, they’re gaining it.

Challenges and Misconceptions

Of course, there are challenges. Initial costs, especially for small businesses, can be a barrier. Installing solar panels or switching to compostable materials isn’t always cheap. But thanks to the incentives mentioned earlier, these costs are more manageable than ever, and they often pay off over time.

Another common misconception is that sustainability means sacrificing quality or convenience. In reality, it’s about innovation. Companies that rethink their processes often find better solutions, not just greener ones.

It’s also worth noting that sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all. A small coffee shop might focus on composting and reusable cups, while a large manufacturing firm might invest in clean energy and water recycling. Every business has its own sustainability pathway, but they all share one thing in common: potential profit.

The Bottom Line: Green is Gold

Sustainability and profitability are no longer opposing forces, they’re two sides of the same coin. By reducing waste, qualifying for government incentives, entering new markets, and future-proofing operations, businesses can thrive while doing good.

As climate challenges mount and consumer expectations evolve, companies that act now will be best positioned for success. Whether you’re a small local shop or a global enterprise, investing in sustainability isn’t just a moral decision. It’s a smart one.

]]><![CDATA[World Water Day At Glen Hills Middle School]]>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/world-water-day-at-glen-hills-middle-school

On World Water Day, WasteCap Resource Solutions participated in an event at Glen Hills Middle School and several environmental partners to educate students on the importance of recycling and composting. The event, held in collaboration with EarthEcho International, Xylem, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Riveredge Nature Center, and Shorewood Waters Project, aimed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

During the event, students engaged in interactive sessions that highlighted the impact of waste on water systems and the environment. They learned practical ways to reduce waste in their daily lives and recycle and compost properly, emphasizing the significance of individual actions in achieving broader environmental goals.
This initiative reflects WasteCap's commitment to community engagement and education, key components of their mission to transform waste into resources. By partnering with local organizations and schools, WasteCap continues to promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness throughout Wisconsin.

For more information on WasteCap's programs and how to get involved, please visit our page here.

]]><![CDATA[WasteCap's 2023 Annual Impact Report]]>Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/may-21st-2025WasteCap has proudly helped companies reduce and divert waste for over 25 years! Since 2005 we have been tracking and recording that impact, disclosing how many tons of trash we have historically diverted from landfills.

Please see our 2023 impact below, and report files available for download.

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]]><![CDATA[WasteCap's 2022 Annual Impact Report]]>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/wastecaps-2022-annual-impact-reportWasteCap has proudly helped companies reduce and divert waste for over 25 years! Since 2005 we have been tracking and recording that impact, disclosing how many tons of trash we have historically diverted from landfills.

Please see our 2022 impact below, and report files available for download.

Have Questions About Our Numbers or How You Can Make A Difference?

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]]><![CDATA[Understanding COP27’s Climate Chaos Warning]]>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:50:11 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/understanding-cop27s-climate-chaos-warning

Source: Pexels

COP27, or the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference, was this year’s annual event in which global experts and scientists, along with more than 90 heads of state and representatives from 190 countries, gathered to discuss important and urgent topics regarding climate change. This edition of the event was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. A key focus of COP27 was an emphasis on implementation and action as a way for humans to adapt to the impacts of climate change, given the gradual rise in droughts, storms, and floods globally. In 2022, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers directed the state's Department of Administration to establish the Office of Environmental Justice to develop a framework and strategy for environmental justice work in communities where pollution, industry shifts, and extreme weather are most prominent.

COP27 also made headlines for releasing a warning of "climate chaos." Today, we'll go over COP27's climate chaos warning and its implications for the state of Wisconsin.

What were the climate chaos warnings?

The provisional State of the Global Climate Report 2022 produced by the UN's World Meteorological Organization was described as "a chronicle of climate chaos," according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. True to its ominous description, the report details how rising global temperatures will make 2022 the fifth or sixth hottest year on record.

Man-made greenhouse gas emissions are also predicted to rise after record highs in 2021 as well. Another record-breaker comes from sea levels growing at approximately 10% of the sea-level rise recorded since the first satellite measurements in 1993.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin has seen heavier and more frequent rains in recent years, resulting in floods, soil erosion, and changes to the coastline — affecting sewage and wastewater treatment. Moreover, these poor conditions also affect individuals intensely, triggering chronic illnesses and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations.

How is the UN planning to address climate change at COP27?

The UN has long planned to find solutions against climate change, working with scientists, global experts, and world leaders to identify proper action. This is what the annual Conference of the Parties is for — starting with the first international treaty in 1992. This led to more global platforms being created to deal with climate change. Maryville University outlined how the UN's Global Humanitarian Overview began in December 2019, identifying climate change as one of the several emerging risks.

Rising temperatures are a threat to people's health, as well as water and food supplies, leading to humanitarian crises. For that reason, the UN has long advocated for climate action that can halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. One of their Sustainable Development Goals, precisely #12, focuses its targets on the environmentally sound management of all waste through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse, specifically to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

So what else can we do to support the UN's efforts?

Since 1996, WasteCap has been helping businesses transform waste into resources, hitting a 72.2% national waste diversion rate. This has saved our clients more than $36 million, helping create full-time jobs and boosting cost savings of reuse and recycling. Organizations should look into better waste management, not only for the benefits they can reap but also do their part in the fight against climate change.

To prevent the climate chaos from worsening, we must do what we can while making our voices — and the experts and scientists' — heard by those in power to make significant changes and policies.

From saving water to using energy-efficient appliances and even rethinking the impact of travel by planes, trains, and automobiles, making small but necessary changes in our daily life can help. The classic "reduce, reuse, and recycle" campaign similarly comes to mind.

Getting a better handle on waste management can also help curb the speed of climate change. Striving for a waste-free environment doesn't just reduce waste; it also cuts down your carbon footprint. When you recycle waste, the energy you generate can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Specially written for WasteCap.org
By: Raine Joselyn

]]><![CDATA[Member Spotlight: Inpro Corporation]]>Fri, 04 Nov 2022 18:12:38 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/member-spotlight-inpro-corporation

In honor of Zero Waste Month last month, we’re thrilled to highlight the zero waste achievements of a wonderful WasteCap Member company and valued partner: Inpro Corporation.

Inpro is an industry-leading architectural product manufacturer based out of Muskego, Wisconsin. As a company, quality and environmental stewardship are at their core.

They aimed to become net zero compliant by 2025. Thanks to their consistent efforts, they’ve reached new heights this year, already achieving this goal three years ahead of schedule.

“Waste audits were key to understanding our waste stream and the content of materials being sent to landfills,” say Jess Jenkins, Inpro’s Environmental and Technical Project Specialist, and Mark Alan, Inpro’s Senior Vice President of Product Management and Development. “Performing the audits allowed us to determine benchmarks and tracking methods for a variety of waste materials which in turn provided a method of prioritizing the changes we needed to make.”

Check out more of Mark and Jess’s insights below on the zero waste process, the many benefits of waste reduction for businesses and their communities, and what’s next for sustainability at Inpro.

What changes did you implement this year to reach zero waste?

Our team had been solely focused on finding secondary uses for our production scrap along with separating recyclables from our waste stream, which we found to be challenging. We were making some progress, but the pace was slow.
Once we reached out to learn how other local companies are achieving success toward zero waste to landfill, we widened our focus to include production yields and determine methods of reducing our production scrap. By applying six sigma methods, we found several opportunities to lower our material scrap and take credit for diverting it away from landfills.

Why should companies be working to reduce waste?

The obvious answer is that it’s the right thing to do for our environment, but the extent of benefits is far more reaching. We’ve improved production methods by increasing our yield and reducing our raw material consumption, which reduced our overall cost. Another benefit was the level of employee engagement. Our employees WANT to be involved and contribute to waste diversion.

Inpro has established an Environmental Management Team to help further its goals. How are you working to sustain zero waste operations, and what’s next for 2023?

Achieving zero waste to landfill is not a one-and-done exercise. The EMS team has established tracking methods and monthly reporting which allows our company to take action and remain current with the goal. Additional initiatives have also been identified and prioritized as we continue our efforts.

Now that we’ve reached a compliant level, we will pursue the GBCI TRUE certification.

In addition to this major milestone, Inpro is proud to celebrate their commitment to sustainability in business through many other accomplishments and initiatives.

They received the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “Recycling Excellence Award” for their commitment to diverting waste from the landfills.
Last year, they were also the first organization in the state of Wisconsin to achieve Fitwel Certification, demonstrating their commitment to the health and well-being of all employees.
They are ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified to provide the best products possible, while also being mindful of the environmental impacts of our manufacturing processes.
They are a “Tier 2” Wisconsin Green Tier Company via the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council, as well as active Members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Building Initiative (GBI), and Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC).

Join the conversation on your journey to zero waste, and become a WasteCap member today!

]]><![CDATA[WasteCap's 2021 Annual Impact Report Released!]]>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 15:34:41 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/wastecaps-2021-annual-impact-report-releasedWasteCap has been busy since 1996, helping businesses find ways to transform waste into resources through reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. In 2005 we started recording that impact, which passed some major new milestones last year!

Waste is more than trash in a landfill, or litter in our parks and waters. Waste is the acres of habitat leveled to obtain material, the energy and water consumed to make and move products, the jobs created in recycling and remanufacture, and the cost savings of reuse and recycling.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR NUMBERS OR HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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]]><![CDATA[Member Spotlight: Madison Gas and Electric!]]>Fri, 22 Apr 2022 17:05:57 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/member-spotlight-madison-gas-and-electric

EMIS at mge

Environmental Management Information System (EMIS), which is used to manage environmental data and processes supporting the monitoring, record-keeping and reporting associated with environmental management, marked its first full year of operation in 2020. Benefits of the EMIS include access to environmental data to support remote audits and the central tracking of recycling data and waste disposal cost savings.

back on the road in 2022!

Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) will be completing its Adopt-a-Highway event this year during Earth Week. We are very excited about this year's event as it will be our first time out in three years due to the pandemic!

green masters program

In 2021, MGE earned the Green Master designation for the eighth consecutive year from the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Only the top 20% of applying companies receive the Green Master designation.

The independent, points-based benchmarking program evaluates applicants in nine key areas: energy, climate change, water, waste, transportation, supply chain, community outreach, workforce and governance. MGE was the first utility to be awarded the distinction in 2014.

reduce, reuse, recycle

Our all-in-one recycling method includes paper products, glass, plastic and aluminum. We also recycle various metals and other scrap materials left over from field work. Our computing equipment and supplies are sent to an e-Stewards certified company for recycling or reuse, and our alkaline batteries go to a vendor who recovers steel and zinc.

A Continuous Improvement Sustainability Team recently updated our battery recycling program. The new policy allows employees to bring in alkaline, NiCad and rechargeable batteries from home. We established collection points around the company for safe, efficient drop-offs.

We also recycle thermostats and other mercury-containing devices, chemicals, steel, iron, copper, glass and cell phones. Additionally, a local vendor takes our wood pallets, recycling them into mulch.

]]><![CDATA[A new Wisconsin Recycling Directory, and the Passing of An Era.]]>Tue, 12 Oct 2021 18:00:20 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/a-new-wisconsin-recycling-directory-and-the-passing-of-an-era

Looking for a new home for your waste?

Whether its a reuse store for your old light fixtures, a hauler to take loads of clean drywall from your construction site, or a partner to process your corporate campus's e-waste, the Wisconsin Resource Directory makes finding local outlets easy.

Thanks to our sponsors, we were able to put our knowledge of Wisconsin's markets online for anyone to conduct their own map-based searches.

Try the Wisconsin Recycling Directory today, bookmark us for tomorrow!

If your business isn't in the directory, you can easily add your locations directly through the home page.
If your business is in the directory, contact us at marketing@wastecap.org to update your listing with detailed business hours, material handling instructions, or other marketing material.
If you'd like to support the directory and include your advertising, please email marketig@wastecap.org

WE SUNSETED WASTECAP TRACE ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2021!
For 16 years WasteCap hosted an online tool to manage your waste diversion operation and gauge it's performance. It focused on building a waste management plan that was effective and delineated clear responsibilities, tracking each waste material stream and providing insightful reporting for any time frame on multiple projects. It was supported by the community for many years, and we'd like to thank everyone who contributed to making it a success.

See below: the impact of TRACE and information on transitioning your data.

THE IMPACT OF TRACE
Since 2005, TRACE has helped companies and individuals, in Wisconsin and beyond, to divert over 1 million tons of material from landfills and incinerators.

Projects in Wisconsin averaged an 85.3% diversion rate!
Nationwide users averaged 73.1%.

Enough material was kept out of landfills to fill Lambeau Field to the top of the stadium 1.8 times, about 42% of an average Wisconsin landfill. Finding better uses for that material effectively added a month and a half of life to each of Wisconsin's 53 landfills. More importantly, getting this material back into the economy has saved:

961 thousand metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of keeping 12 thousand cars off the road every year since 2005.
20 thousand acres of habitat, including 1.8 million trees.
A year's worth of drinking water for 800 thousand people.
$35 million through reduced waste hauling fees.

On behalf of WasteCap I would like to personally thank those companies that supported TRACE over the years. We could not have continued this long without your help.

TRANSITIONING YOUR DATA
You will be able to access your data and run reports until September 17, 2021. Before then, please choose the next step that best suits your needs:

If you are using TRACE for a Wisconsin DFD project, you should have transitioned to WasteCap's new program hosted under ReTRAC Connect. If you haven't done so, please contact us at projects@wastecap.org, subject "DFD Transfer".
If you are using Recycle 360, contact Stephan Berry at Stephen.Berry@wasteconnections.com for instructions, subject "Recycle360 Transfer".
If you are an American Family Insurance user, contact Halie Tenor at htenor@amfam.com for instructions, subject "AmFam Transfer".
If you use TRACE for any other purpose, and are interested in maintaining your data or transitioning to another program, you have options:
- (a) Run reports on your projects prior to September 17th, 2021, and continue to track your waste data on your own.
- (b) Work with WasteCap to transition your project history to ReTRAC Connect, taking advantage of new features and improved accessibility.
- (c) Work with WasteCap to transfer your project history to a different third-party waste management program.
- Contact us at projects@wastecap.org with the subject "TRACE Transfer" if you would like a quote for (b) or (c).

]]><![CDATA[This Earth Day, make a commitment to track your waste.]]>Thu, 22 Apr 2021 18:01:16 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/this-earth-day-make-a-commitment-to-track-your-wasteWaste isn't just litter on the side of the road

Trash escapes into the environment in many ways, from deliberate dumping to careless leakage at every stage of our collection and processing systems. While damage done from litter is considerable and visible, it's just the tip of the "wasteberg."

In our linear economy, we take material from the environment, make products, and throw them away.

Every step of the process requires it's own sacrifice of energy, water, and habitat, and generates its own waste material. Processing and finishing waste averages 70 times the weight or volume of a product, but the consumed energy, water and habitat compounds the hidden costs of waste.

talk about the bigger picture

In Wisconsin, mountains of trash are cheap and easy to build. Waste doesn't have to go far to find one. Except for a few materials, there is little cost difference between landfilling and recycling.

Efforts to divert waste from the landfill can be hard to justify based on disposal cost alone, so reduction is a key strategy for many. Savings are almost always hundreds of times higher if a material isn't purchased in the first place.

Beyond direct costs, understanding the broader impact of wasteful practices can help a business or institution value the effects of its actions on its customers, community and supply chain. There are tools and rules of thumb that can be used to estimate the greater economic and environmental impacts of your waste. The EPA's WARM model estimates atmospheric impacts, energy savings and job creation trends. At WasteCap we also like to note any water and habitat savings estimates that can be made as well.

START MEASURING TODAY

Set improvement goals based on the values that strike the strongest cord within an organization. Any goal to improve waste diversion (the percentage of material kept out of landfills) should also include material reduction efforts. Benchmark waste quantities against the key performance indicators that drive the numbers - total occupant hours, widgets produced, or shipments moved, for example.

Determining success isn't possible however without data. You can't manage what you don't measure, and you can't assume you're succeeding if you don't know the facts.

invite a professional to review your operations

Most of the companies that reach out to WasteCap already have a commitment to do better, be it for their shareholders, their employees, their community or their customers. Sometimes they are just starting their journey to improve their diversion rate, others are seeking help with zero waste certification. They all believe they are doing an great job, and it took them a leap of faith to ask for an outside opinion. For that they were always rewarded.

Zero waste professionals like those at WasteCap are able to quickly cover basic principles and common sources of errors. These initial cursory audits can reveal a lot in a short amount of time. Once the gaps are identified, you can build up an appropriate response that delivers the best returns for your particular values.

Reducing waste isn't a quick or easy journey, but there are plenty of us here who can help.

]]><![CDATA[Giving Tuesday and Beyond]]>Tue, 01 Dec 2020 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/giving-tuesday-and-beyondThree Ways You Can Change the World

On your own, every purchase you make and every piece of material you throw away makes a small impact on the resources wasted locally and around the world.

By working together we can move markets, create jobs, keep our communities healthy, and preserve the beauty of Wisconsin.

Please consider WasteCap in ways large and small this season, and beyond, with these simple options.

Tell corporations who you support:
*The same site with the same deals.
*A portion of every purchase goes to the non-profit of your choice.
*Please use smile.amazon.com and select WasteCap as your non-profit!

Donate directly to make an impact:

*Expands our material and economic research.
*Helps us reach out to new audiences.
*Supports internships and education opportunities.
*Improves waste reduction tools for the public.
*Enables us to advise local and national efforts to reduce waste to landfill.

Become a member to move markets:

*Send WasteCap to speak at conferences and advocate change.
*Sponsor the next generation of interns changing the world.
*Solve Wisconsin's need for food security, local energy, and
greenhouse gas reduction through better use of organic waste.
*Give Wisconsin students the opportunity to deconstruct a
building slated for the landfill and take those materials back to
their art and trade classes.
*Increase Wisconsin's use of recycled material, purity of material
streams, and options for reuse and recycling.
*Create a reuse and recycling directory for Wisconsin.

Or we can simply provide you or your company with insight, resources, and a helping hand on your waste reduction journey.

]]><![CDATA[FIVE KEY STEPS TO START A ZERO WASTE PROGRAM]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2020 14:51:55 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/five-key-steps-to-start-a-zero-waste-program

Our friends at Zabble have put together a concise summary of the strategic moves that really help a zero waste program succeed at your company. As a wise person once said -
“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Read the Full Article

Microsoft Uses an Old Idea to Get to 90% Waste Reduction

Dispose only that which is broken is not a new idea, but it takes designing for repair and reuse and implementing a process for salvaging usable parts from non-functional products.

Check out the “Circular Centers” Microsoft is running on their campuses, taking the rework shop or repair cafe up a notch!

Material Reuse DOES HAVE Its Hazards

We're all about Reuse here at WasteCap, so we've learned our fair share of lessons. GreenBiz has put together a great summary of some of those hazards, but it misses a major one: chemical ingredients.

When sourcing materials from aggregated recyclate, you risk an unknown chemical soup going into your new product. Seeing as product ingredient disclosure is a rapidly growing concern, the push for healthier products is making more sustainable products difficult to market. We see an even greater need now to design for reuse, and consider using as few chemical additives as possible in any product meant to be recycled or reused.

Potential Hazards of Reuse

RESOURCES TO PUSH Enhanced Producer Responsibility

Placing the responsibility to recycle entirely on the user only gets us part of the way towards a circular economy. Market forces aren’t enough to make producers consider their material choices, and so many locales are turning to EPR regulations as a way to hold producers accountable for the products they put into the market

For EPR to work, though, it has to be done right. Some of our current programs simply end up as a mandated upcharge that producers simply pocket with no actual requirement to reduce waste. Others have worked as intended for decades, like the bottle and can deposits requirements. More needs to be done. If you want to see more corporate responsibility, these resources can help you convince your state politicians to keep us moving forward.

Press to Make the World a Better Place

]]><![CDATA[WasteCap Seeks New Executive Director]]>Mon, 22 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/wastecap-seeks-new-executive-director

WasteCap Resource Solutions is seeking a new Executive Director to lead the organization. If your passions includes leading an organization and helping businesses with their zero waste journey, this position is for you. Help transform waste into resources! Full details can be found in the position description below:

Executive Director Position Description

2020_-_executive_director_-_position_description.pdf
File Size:	109 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

All interested candidates should send a (1) cover letter and (2) resume by email or mail to:

Rob Schaefer (Business Manager)
business@wastecap.org

WasteCap Resource Solutions, Inc.
2123 W. Michigan St. Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53233

]]><![CDATA[Waste & Recycling During COVID-19 Outbreak]]>Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:56:56 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/waste-recycling-during-covid-19-outbreak

Trash and recycling is often not top of mind. Most people don't realize how much waste really costs. WasteCap not only thinks about it, but strategizes how to reduce it and change processes to support a circular economy. Given all the Covid-19 emails going around from businesses assuring you of their safe practices or letting you know how they'll be reimbursing you in these hard times, we thought we'd keep you up to speed on what might be going on with the world of trash and recycling.

Prepare for waste handling changes

If your operations can be completed remotely, expect a lot less waste, but beware cutting down on cleaning unless you can shut down sections of your buildings.

Fewer people on site is helpful, but unless they're being concentrated into a smaller area, potentially affected surfaces remain throughout your working zones.
The danger to and from your cleaning staff also increases - they will be more exposed to pathogens than the general staff. Make sure they stay as healthy as possible and provide them with the tools and policies they need to do so.

If your operations on site will continue, you may need increased attention to waste handling in internal collection points for paper towels and kleenex, and the factors below may significantly increase your overall waste volumes.

you are likely feeling the pressure to consume more

Paper towels, napkins and wipe usage is likely to rise, and you may see a rise in kleenex consumption if staff can't stay home when they exhibit signs of illness or allergies. Despite the panic buyers, there does not appear to be a good reason to stockpile months worth of toilet paper.

Cloth cleaning towels are easily decontaminated in a hot wash, but if improperly handled during cleaning they risk spreading germs. You may see an increased demand to use disposable wipes.
- These have fewer of the issues of paper towels, but are far more expensive and can't be composted, digested or recycled. Their impact on your total waste stream should be minimal.
Simple soap and water hand washing is the best way to prevent viruses getting to the face, but we can't wash all the time and most people don't wash their hands effectively.
- Sanitizers are a second best stand in, and while those piles of little bottles can often be recycled, they can often only be recycled if they're washed out.
When it comes to drying hands, air dryers avoid the cost and the mess of paper, but paper towel companies point out that they have the potential to throw contaminated droplets into the air. That's a fear big enough to push people to demand paper, despite the huge cost and fact we've all seen bathrooms with paper towels that didn't make it into the bin.
- Paper towel companies have a reasonable claim that germs are captured by the towels, but piles of used towels can then spread those germs to the surfaces and the people that have to handle them. Make efforts to control the dispenser to minimize consumption, and ensure staff removes the bathroom waste more often than needed to prevent overflows and clean up lazy disposers.
- If you already use paper towels in the restrooms, they likely account for 10% of your office or classroom waste stream. You'll only see a moderate increase.
- If you are switching to paper, expect a significant increase in bathroom waste and waste in the building's terminal collection bins. There are methods of composting, digesting or recycling paper towel waste, but they may not be available in your area or on short notice.

You will likely see a spike in single-use items

The closure of dining areas pushes more food into to-go containers, which are more often than not overpackaged, non-durable and non-recyclable.

How often have you gotten a fistful of unnecessary napkins, condiments and plastic ware alongside a styrofoam clamshell with paper wrapped food inside? It's a waste that you as a customer are paying for on both ends.
- Food and food containers make up 40-60% of average office or classroom trash and recycling streams. The increase you see will be based largely on the percentage of staff that rely on food served rather than brought from home.
- Pack-in/pack-out policies and supporting the ability for staff to thoroughly clean their durable containers and servery will help reduce impact on the trash bin.
While any competent dishwashing system (hand or machine) will effectively clean durable plates, silverware and cups, plastic ware companies claim single use is safer.
- It comes down to handling. Between distribution, user, and cleaning/ disposing, durable vs. single use goods come in contact with about the same number of people. The cleaning process is therefore critical for durable goods, while the waste management process is critical for single use goods.
Viruses survive longer on paper, cardboard and plastic surfaces than on glass and metal, so it's essential that single use waste makes it quickly and completely into the right waste stream container.
- Lightweight single-use waste easily escapes containers and spreads into the building and exterior environment when it has to change containers or is collected in containers that are too small or are inconveniently located. Interior collection points should be larger than their expected usage.
- Waste should go through as few steps as possible before exiting the building. Every step is an opportunity for waste to escape and another person or package contacted. Centralization of waste stations takes one or more steps out of that process, but has to be distributed and communicated effectively. They should serve no more than 50 people and be located no more than 50 steps from the farthest person.

have you right sized your collection?

Most companies using wheeled dumpsters or totes are paying for 30-50% more pickups than they really need. Odds are you are paying for the hauler to pick up air.

If this is the case, the increase in waste you're likely to see over the next few weeks isn't going to change your pickup schedule.
If you have done a good job of right-sizing your waste contract to your waste production, you may see overflowing bins and should anticipate additional hauling fees, or if you're a company that is really on top of your game and have negotiated a flexible schedule, you may need to add a pickup.
If you already had overflowing bins, its time to rethink your waste management strategies. Give us a call, we can help with that.

Are you tracking your waste? (This will be interesting)

You've documented your waste streams, you have the measurement and analysis tools in place.

You'll see exactly when and where and how changes to your operations effected your purchasing, waste and recycling efforts, and you'll be able to quantify the real impacts on your business.
This test will give you tools to plan for the future or adjust business as usual to continue to improve.
If you've gone zero waste and can hold on to those practices through this episode, you'll have an even greater story to tell next year.

zero waste policies provide resilience

Businesses that have realized the long term cost saving benefits of a sustainable mindset are better prepared for disaster situations. With the side effects of a pandemic causing much more damage than the virus itself, sustainable businesses are finding that:

Efforts to reduce single use materials and wasteful processes means that small stockpiles can bridge much longer supply disruptions.
Centralized waste handling means fewer surfaces and objects that can be contaminated, which can be more easily cleaned effectively.
Teleconferencing tools and work-from-home policies in place to reduce business costs and carbon impact of vehicle also minimize business interruptions.
Scaleable waste hauling contracts support partial shut downs in operations.
Staff with less stress, more sleep, more physical activity and less toxins in the air and water in their work environment will have better immune systems, fewer sick days and shorter illnesses. Walking to the centralized waste station helps!
The elimination of expensive, wasteful practices like single use cups, napkins and paper towels means the reintroduction of these as a short term measure has a big impact on a businesses waste handling processes. However, it provides a reminder of the money saved going zero waste.

]]><![CDATA[Pellitteri Waste Systems - Member Spotlight]]>Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:42:29 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/pellitteri-waste-systems-member-spotlight

Pellitteri Waste Systems is a family owned operation providing superior trash & recycling collection and processing to commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout Southern Wisconsin. Read more about how Pellitteri is finding solutions to encourage a fully functioning recycling system.

The Global Recycling market Overview

The recycling landscape has changed over the last two years. Since January 2018, China, one of the world’s largest buyers of recyclables, has drastically limited the amount of material it will accept. Also, low oil prices have made it cheaper to use virgin materials to make plastic products rather than to purchase recycled plastic. Additionally, unusually high snow and rainfall in Wisconsin has been a setback for paper-based recycling due to bins being left open and water-soaking the materials. In these market conditions, reducing contamination will help create a fully functioning recycling system.

Contamination

WasteCap caught up with Danielle Pellitteri, Vice President of Sales, to discuss the changing recycling landscape and the unprecedented challenges regarding contamination. When asked, "what are some upcoming challenges that Pellitteri Waste Systems faces," Danielle reiterated,

Contamination is the challenge. Keeping non-recyclable items out of the stream is our number one priority. When non-recyclable items (such as clothes, yard waste and Styrofoam®) are placed in the recycling cart, our contamination rate increases and the material recovery facility's (MRF's) ability to recycle correct items decrease. Keeping the recycling stream clean allows for the maximum amount of recycled material to be recovered. Contaminants often result in malfunctions and breakdowns to the equipment."

As a solution, Pellitteri Waste Systems is using a two-pronged approach: (1) communications campaign to educate customers and (2) upgraded technology to get contaminants out of the stream.

Customer Communication

As a way to educate its customers, Pellitteri Waste Systems created several short videos explaining how to prepare recyclables. David Pellitteri, Vice President of Finance & Development and WasteCap Board of Director, offers customers tips through a variety of videos featured below:

Wine Bottles

Glass

Tin Cans

Plastic Bottles

Water Contamination

Online Shopping

Shredded Paper

Aluminum Cans

Pizza Boxes

Food Contamination

Plastic Contamination

Pellitteri Waste Systems also created downloaded facts sheets. See below:

Non-Recyclable Items that Contaminate Recycling

non_recyclable_items_-_contamination.pdf
File Size:	390 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Residential Collection Information (English)

residential_recycling_list.pdf
File Size:	65 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Residential Collection Information (Spanish)

residential_spanish_rc_list_5-2019.pdf
File Size:	267 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Upgraded Technology

Operationally, Pellitteri Waste Systems invested in new technology to sort material more effectively. Below is a video of Pellitteri Waste Systems' Kipp Street Station Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in action. The video includes the upgraded artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Becoming Stewards of Recycling

Pellitteri Waste Systems financially supports Wisconsin educational programming like Becoming Stewards. Pellitteri Waste Systems sponsored a new educational video called "Becoming Stewards of Recycling - Waste Resource Management," which aired on the Into the Outdoor television series. It tells the story of solid waste science and technology in Wisconsin. It was created for better public education and is a great teaching aid!

History & Future

Since 1939, the family tradition of waste management service has been going strong. In 1979, the Pellitteri Waste Systems company was officially started. The family owned operation continues to provide superior trash & recycling collection and processing to commercial, industrial, and residential customers throughout Southern Wisconsin. Pellitteri Waste Systems was recently featured as one of the top 40 US Haulers by Waste Today. Danielle Pellitteri says that "with the help of our devoted customers and dedicated staff, we hope to build on our past success and find new solutions that support a fully functioning resource recovery system."

]]><![CDATA[WasteCap Aims to Upgrade State's C&D Recycling Program]]>Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:37:41 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/wastecap-aims-to-upgrade-statewide-cd-recycling-program

WasteCap & the DFDM are gathering support & feedback to upgrade the successful State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Construction & Demolition program. Please read about the program, show support and provide feedback.

Support Form

Feedback form

About the Program

Since 2006, WasteCap has worked with the Division of Facilities Development & Management (DFDM) to implement the State Commission's Sustainable Facilities Policy. The policy stated, in part, that:

“The Department of Administration shall develop and implement guidelines and minimum standards to incorporate environmentally responsible and sustainable concepts and practices into the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of all state facilities,” and that, “ The Department shall report annually on the implementation of this policy.”

The policy was created to promote and ensure that state facilities be constructed and renovated in a sustainable manner. In 2007, WasteCap was asked by the DFDM to help develop comprehensive Construction Waste Management (CWM) specifications that would help the state reach its construction waste diversion goals as set forth in its new policy.

In 2010, after two years of pilot studies and preparation, DFDM instituted a requirement that all demolition projects and all new construction projects with a capital budget of $5 million or more divert at least 50 percent of their project construction waste from landfills and report their recycling activities on a monthly basis. DFDM engaged WasteCap to administer the new CWM provision and to create an online tracking system to collect waste reduction data and report it.

The standards set to reduce, reuse, salvage, and recycle construction & demolition debris has helped the State of Wisconsin's Department of Administration minimize project costs and negative environment impacts on behalf of all Wisconsinites.

IMPACT

From 2010 to 2018, the program has:

Reduced total disposal costs by $7.35 million
Diverted 296,812 tons of material from the landfill
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 224,890 MT CO2e
- Equivalent to removing 51,557 cars off the road annually
Saved the material industry 2,078 billion BTU’s of energy through recycling processes
- Equivalent to powering 18,885 homes annually
Saved 265,000 trees and 109 million gal. of water through recycling wood & cardboard

Below is a table of recent projects completed in the last four years.

Reasons for the upgrade

Specifically, we hope the program will be upgraded in the following ways:

1. Update the specifications for required project
a. Increase the landfill diversion rate from 50% to 75% per project
b. Lower the capital budget threshold from $5 million to $3 million

These changes will result in more material being diverted from landfill and include more projects that are required to track waste diversion data.

2. Increase Project Management Oversight

More oversight is needed to ensure that all required projects meet the landfill diversion rate required in the specifications. In the table above, a few projects failed to meet the required diversion rate, and a few others had questionably high diversion rates. Additional oversight would allow for the WasteCap to step in to help lagging projects, and provide oversight on projects which may be incorrectly reporting.Increased oversight, especially during the project planning phases, will preemptively solve issues related to C&D waste management.

3. Switch the software from WasteCap TRACE to Re-Trac Connect
a. Utilize WasteCap Resource Solutions' exclusive partnership
b. WasteCap will enable and support the Resource Directory feature to increase transparency for approved haulers, processors, and end-destinations.

WasteCap will sunset the WasteCap TRACE software and has engaged in a exclusive regional partnership with Re-Trac Connect. The statewide C&D program will benefit from using an industry-leading software that will save time with data entry, reduce errors through its smart programming features, and provide more robust reporting. Additionally, the resource directory will help identify where materials can be diverted based on the project's location and vicinity to landfill diversion outlets.

If you support these efforts or have feedback to provide, please complete the form(s) below:

Support FORM

FEEDBack FORM

]]><![CDATA[WasteCap Presents at UW System Sustainability Conference]]>Fri, 04 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/wastecap-presents-at-uw-system-sustainability-conference

WasteCap moderated the waste & recycling breakout session at the UW System's Annual Sustainability Conference held at UW-Madison from October 3rd - October 4th. WasteCap shared tips, and considerations for managing materials at universities.

Travis Blomberg, WasteCap's Executive Director, started the session by digging into each university's waste performance score from its Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) report. The scoring system allowed each university to benchmark itself against other campuses. Participants including students, faculty, and operational staff describe their campus' successful strategies and problem areas.

The majority of the discussion revolved around minimization & diversion of waste for on-going operations. Travis reiterated the importance for developing a system for measurement and verification. Blomberg stated that "collecting reliable and meaningful data is the first step to implement and institutionalize a successful waste reduction program. From there, you can follow a repetitive plan-do-check-act approach to continually improvement on your efforts." Blomberg cited WasteCap's involvement in the construction & demolition waste reduction program for state buildings as an example to institutionalize data collection in order to make meaningful change.

The session wrapped-up by focusing efforts to reduce that amount of materials that enter the university system as a way to eliminate the need to manage the solid waste material.

The moderated presentation can be found below:

Presentation:

waste___recycling_-_uw_system_sustainability_conference_-_2019.pdf
File Size:	2070 kb
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Download File

]]><![CDATA[Cascade Asset Management - Member Spotlight]]>Thu, 15 Aug 2019 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.wastecap.org/news/cascade-asset-management-member-spotlight

The member spotlight is on Cascade Asset Management as a valued silver-level member. For over 20 years, Cascade Asset Management has provided the most secure, responsible, and valuable IT asset disposition (ITAD) services available to businesses and institutions. Learn more about how Cascade is leading charge to create a circular economy.

Cacade’s CEO Neil Peters-Michaud and WasteCap Board Member identifies their ideal customer as “any Midwest-based business or institution with 500 or more employees which must adhere to strict data security requirements while disposing of its end-of-life IT equipment.” Tom Hermaidan (Sales Administration Manager) adds, “organizations looking to capture value from their used equipment are even more ideal, as they allow us to reuse rather than recycle, thereby cascading their gear to its next-best-use.”

As a company that embraces sustainable practices, Cascade provides clients with environmental impact data showing the recovery yield of electronic devices we process for reuse and recycling. Organizations can use this information in their sustainability reports to demonstrate their work toward zero waste and greenhouse gas reductions. Neil says, “we partner with WasteCap to assimilate this information with other waste reduction data to provide a more complete picture of the organization's sustainability efforts.” More information about our environmental reporting and related programs is posted at: https://www.cascade-assets.com/environment.html

As with any company focused on creating a circular economic model, challenges are prevalent. The global shift in markets for recycling, including the impacts of import bans and trade tariffs, has created a significant disruption in the markets for many scrap materials (especially plastics) generated from the dismantling of end of life electronics. This is increasing the costs for recycling, which will impact consumers. The best alternative is to repair and reuse as much equipment as possible. Fortunately, Cascade has invested in test equipment, technical trainings, and repair services to help extend the life of computer equipment to generate more value for our clients and less waste for the planet.

Cascade, due to its outstanding reputation as a dependable, effective ITAD partner serving some of the nation's most recognizable companies, and its sustained 100% customer satisfaction rating, has been the natural choice for a number of large businesses recently abandoned by their ITAD provider. That and an effective sales and marketing strategy has begun a phase of growth for the company which should go beyond targets for 2019.

]]>

​Step 1: Find a New Home for Items You No Longer Need

​Step 2: Repair or Repurpose

Step 3: Sustainable Junk Removal

Step 4: Recycle Responsibly

Lands’ End’s Apparel Recycling Program

Bottom line

Why You Should Engage Your Employees in Sustainability

how to get started

WasteCap in Action: How We Help Companies Bring Sustainability to Life

Ready to empower your people?

​​Why Waste Diversion Matters (Especially for Small Businesses)

WHAT IS WASTE DIVERSION?​

HOW TO START DIVERTING WASTE

CERTIFICATIONS THAT HELP YOU GO FURTHER

REAL IMPACT IN WISCONSIN

HOW WASTECAP CAN HELP

​Why Waste Matters More Than You Think

Step 1: Just Start Tracking

Case STUDY: TOYOTA

case study: kellogg's

CASE STUDY: MOUNTAIN ROSE HERBS

Step 2: WasteCap Can Help You Go Further

Step 3: Set Goals and Make Improvements

​Final Thoughts

WHAT IT IS

HOW TO USE IT

WHY YOU SHOULD USE IT

​When to Use It

Bookmark it. use it. share it.

what we do

Why Certification Is Worth IT

how it works

Ready to certify?

​1. “It’s Too Expensive”

2. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME"​

​3. “We Don’t Have the People or Tools”

​4. “Leadership Isn’t Bought In”

​5. “People Won’t Change”

​6. “We Don’t Know Where to Start”

​Final Thoughts

​Cutting Costs Through Efficiency

​​Green Tax Credits and Government Incentives

​Turning Sustainability into a Revenue Stream

risk mitigation and long-term strategy

​The Role of ESG in Attracting Investors

​Internal Culture and Employee Retention

Case Study: Microsoft’s Carbon Negative Goal

​Challenges and Misconceptions

​The Bottom Line: Green is Gold

What were the climate chaos warnings?

How is the UN planning to address climate change at COP27?

So what else can we do to support the UN's efforts?

EMIS at mge

back on the road in 2022!

green masters program

reduce, reuse, recycle

talk about the bigger picture

START MEASURING TODAY

invite a professional to review your operations

Microsoft Uses an Old Idea to Get to 90% Waste Reduction

Material Reuse DOES HAVE Its Hazards

RESOURCES TO PUSH Enhanced Producer Responsibility

Prepare for waste handling changes

you are likely feeling the pressure to consume more

You will likely see a spike in single-use items

have you right sized your collection?

Are you tracking your waste? (This will be interesting)

zero waste policies provide resilience

The Global Recycling market Overview

Contamination

Customer Communication

Upgraded Technology

Becoming Stewards of Recycling

History & Future

About the Program

IMPACT

Reasons for the upgrade

Support FORM

FEEDBack FORM

Step 1: Find a New Home for Items You No Longer Need

Step 2: Repair or Repurpose

Why Waste Diversion Matters (Especially for Small Businesses)

WHAT IS WASTE DIVERSION?

Why Waste Matters More Than You Think

Final Thoughts

When to Use It

1. “It’s Too Expensive”

2. "WE DON'T HAVE TIME"

3. “We Don’t Have the People or Tools”

4. “Leadership Isn’t Bought In”

5. “People Won’t Change”

6. “We Don’t Know Where to Start”

Final Thoughts

Cutting Costs Through Efficiency

Green Tax Credits and Government Incentives

Turning Sustainability into a Revenue Stream

The Role of ESG in Attracting Investors

Internal Culture and Employee Retention

Challenges and Misconceptions

The Bottom Line: Green is Gold