EPA Rewards Wise Waste-Makers for Getting Green

Lynn Schenkman

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, D.C., in October recognized more than 50 WasteWise Partners of the Year for improving or sustaining waste reduction programs.

WasteWise is a free, voluntary program developed by the EPA in 1994 to recognize and encourage group efforts at waste diversion. Since the program began, approximately 1,300 organizations of varied size and affiliation have participated.

Any organization can join the program and become a partner by assessing its waste output and setting its own goals in three areas: waste prevention, recycling collection and buying and/or manufacturing recycled-content products. Each partner must track its progress and report results annually.

Among this year's leaders are the Walt Disney Co., Burbank, Calif., and Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., St. Louis. Both received awards in the very large business category. Creative Office Systems, Pleasant Hill, Calif., and Evelyn Hill Inc., New York, received the prize for small businesses. A concessionaire at the Statue of Liberty, Evelyn Hill worked with a manufacturer to turn used plastic into souvenir tote bags. The company also worked with its suppliers to trim unnecessary materials. Haagen-Dazs, for example, repackaged its ice cream for the company and prevented 7,300 pounds of cardboard waste.

For a complete list of WasteWise Partners and this year's award-winners, visit www.epa.gov/wastewise.