Clearly labelling all waste containers and collection areas is key to increasing waste diversion while also reducing unnecessary contamination. Signage that references common materials generated on-site can boost employee confidence around recycling and serve as a great educational tool. Posting clear and easy-to-understand signage on recycling, organics, and trash containers is also important for public-facing…
Learn how Brandeis University, a research institution in Waltham, implemented a dorm and public space recycling program with support from RecyclingWorks, and established a performance plan for their food service provider focused on eight sustainability goals.
Learn how Home City Development, Inc. (HCDI), a non-profit real estate developer based in Springfield, worked with RecyclingWorks to salvage materials for reuse during their renovation of the historic Elias Brookings School.
The Newton-based electric bicycle (e-bike) business Watt Wagons is best known for setting a Guinness World Record in 2019 for their electric bike that rode 400 miles in 24 hours using less than one dollar of electricity. Watt Wagons assembles personalized e-bikes for sport and commuting, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship. The company…
Although not accepted in typical residential or commercial single stream recycling programs in Massachusetts, plastic beer can toppers are often labeled with a recycling symbol that can be misleading for beer drinkers in the state. While some companies collect and reuse these can toppers, the reuse and recycling infrastructure for this material is still nascent.…
Boat wrap addresses the need to protect valuable marine equipment through harsh winter weather, but what happens to this material after the spring unveiling? While boat shrink wrap cannot go in single stream recycling, options exist for marinas, boat yards, and yacht clubs to recycle this high-quality plastic material. Recycled wrap is typically made into…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount Holyoke College effectively adjusted their operations and used data tracking tools to prevent food waste. Between August 2020 and January 2021, the institution cut the food waste generated on campus by 49% by weight. As described by Leanpath, the private liberal arts college in western Massachusetts adapted to a number…
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, there are more than 400 supermarkets in Massachusetts that are likely subject to the Commercial Organics Waste Ban. There are plenty of cost-effective ways that supermarkets and other food businesses can comply with the ban by reducing or diverting food waste. In a recently published article, Waste…
Homeowners Rehab Incorporated (HRI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces and preserves affordable housing throughout Massachusetts. In 2017, HRI purchased Matheson Apartments in Downtown Worcester with plans to transform the 60,000 square foot 70-unit complex into efficient, accessible, and affordable housing. Prior to starting renovations, RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts (RecyclingWorks) and Linnean Solutions helped HRI…
Restaurateurs and business owners are faced with numerous demands on a regular basis – from pleasing customers, to operational logistics, to balancing books, to adapting to changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. MetroWest Daily News recently highlighted another factor businesses must consider: establishing and maintaining successful recycling and composting programs. Cardboard, bottles and cans,…
