Pacific Northwest installs effective
recycling program
Diversion results coming later this year
Portland, Ore. – Across Waste Management, there are always
opportunities to incorporate sustainability strategies into every
aspect of daily operations. One example of this is currently
taking place in the Pacific Northwest Area, where a pilot
project is using the same strategies the company offers to its
customers to green its office environment.
Beginning earlier this year in Portland, Oregon, and lasting eight
months within the Area, the pilot was developed by Recycling
and Composting Coordinator Michelle Metzler, along with the
support of WM Sustainability Services. Its goal at the outset
was to better understand the benefits, staff time and financial
resources needed to implement a sustainability program within
one of the company’s Areas.
“In the Pacific Northwest, we help our customers increase the
sustainability of their communities and businesses,” Metzler said.
“It is a natural fit for us to do the same with our internal operations.”
Each month, volunteer Sustainability Coordinators have a number
of specific tasks to make their local program successful.
This includes:
- Establishing a baseline from which to build from
- Identifying easy opportunities to recycle
- Implement the program
- Track their performance
Since facilities at WM is unique, each coordinator was given the
flexibility to design a program that worked for their locality.
Sustainability Councils, best practice sharing and tactics from the
company’s Total Recycle Program’s were all integrated into the
pilot to encourage participation at every level.
Today, Metzler recognizes that it would not be possible to get
locations to commit to a year-round pilot program without both
support from both the district manager and local leadership. At
the outset, the pilot was outlined in a detailed scope of work,
including expectation of hours and level of input from facility staff.
Area Vice President said it was worth the dedication.
“Our PNW education team has a great vision for sustainability for
both our customers and for staff,” Rose said. “It is exciting to see
this pilot take shape and incorporate internal sustainability
strategies that speak directly to our Transformation goals.”
Photo : Portland dispatch employees Erin Ferguson and Erin Malanche stand in front
of recycling receptacles.