Success Stories in Reducing Waste

Recycling robots

This webpage is a searchable table that includes 2018 to 2021 Food Recovery Challenge, WasteWise, Federal Green Challenge, and Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge national and regional award winners’ success stories. The success stories include descriptions of the winning organizations' waste management practices, quantitative results (e.g., money saved and tons prevented or diverted), most significant accomplishments, and lessons learned. 

Select from the options below to read award winners' success stories. Readers can use the materials and focus areas and sector filters to access the stories. Use the search function to view award winners' success stories according to key words or areas of interest that are not provided below, such as award winner name.

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Award Winner Name Award Year Description Partnership Program Sector and Winner Categories Materials and Focus Area Hidden Notes

Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration

 2021 In March 2020, Bonneville Power Administration quickly transitioned its workforce to maximum telework. Process changes to an online format saved over four million sheets of paper and reduced paper consumption by nearly 50 percent compared to the previous year. Facility waste generation fell 47 percent, water use fell 15 percent, and electricity use fell 3 percent. Overall, the agency saved over $785,000 during the 2020 fiscal year due to sustainable telework practices. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Paper, Energy, Water National; Adaptation Award
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare 2021 In 2020, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare (CAVHS) focused its recycling efforts on used oil and its products, used batteries, cardboard, lead, brass casings, and electronics. It implemented single stream recycling, scrap metal recycling, solar energy technology, and food composting. CAVHS began collecting and composting on its two main campuses. Composting food and other organic waste dramatically reduced the amount of organic waste CAVHS sent to landfills. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare, State Government Waste, Batteries, Electronics, Compost South Central; Innovation Award

Department of Veterans Affairs, Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center

 2021 All maintenance, repairs, and minor construction for the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center must be completed in a manner that improves efficient energy and water use. Renewable energy must account for at least 20 percent or more of the electricity used. New construction and major renovations must use 30 percent less energy compared to the baseline building performance rating. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Waste, Energy South Central; Leadership Award
Presidio Trust 2021 The Trust learned that 75 percent of its construction and demolition waste stream went to landfills. Working with its waste hauler to understand the problem, the Trust responded with several programmatic improvements to promote recovery of material. Since making the changes, the Trust recycled 56 tons of commingled C&D material, 56 tons of metal, 44 tons of carpet, 16 tons of cardboard, and 66 yards of Styrofoam. The diversion rate improved from 40 percent for the nine months preceding the trainings to 68 percent in the nine months since trainings occurred. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Construction and Demolition, Waste Pacific Southwest Region; Education & Outreach Award
Drug Enforcement Administration, Western Laboratory 2020 In FY2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Western Laboratory increased electronics recycled through a 3rd party certified recycler or donated to colleges/universities by 92.9% (0.54 tons of electronics recycled/donated in FY 2019 compared to 0.28 tons in FY 2018). Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Electronics National; Electronics
Department of Defense, Massachusetts (Barnes) Air National Guard, 104th Fighter Wing 2020 In FY2019, the facility purchased 336 units of Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified Gold Level registered equipment, a 34% increase from FY2018, and enabled power management monitoring on 94% of the EPEAT equipment. The National Guard Bureau also supports on-base personnel with the procurement of equipment that meet EPEAT standards. Base personnel diverted 2,619 pounds of electronic waste from municipal solid waste. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare, State Government Electronics, Purchasing National; Electronics
Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System 2020 The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System has made double-sided printing the standard and electronic medical records have become widely used. An electronic fax system was deployed to increase the use of paperless records. These varied efforts resulted in a 31% decrease in the amount of paper purchased in FY2019. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Purchasing, Paper National; Purchasing
Department of Veterans Affairs, Manchester Medical Center, Manchester 2020 Manchester, N.H. Veterans Affairs Medical Center achieved a 6.6 percent (1,980 pounds) reduction in copy paper use from 2018 to 2019. During this time, the facility defaulted its multi-functional printers to print duplex and enabled electronic meeting capabilities instead of printing for all its conference rooms. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Purchasing, Paper National; Purchasing
Department of Veterans Affairs, James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2020 The James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Altoona, Pa., composted over 338 tons of materials, a significant increase over the previous year. Most of the tonnage relates to construction of an environmentally beneficial stormwater retention swale and the renovation of the Victory Garden. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Construction and Demolition, Waste, Compost National; Waste
Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System 2020 The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System reduced its landscaping irrigation water use by changing its landscaping design to decrease the amount of annual horticultural flowers that are planted; these types of flowers often require more irrigation water. This resulted in a 43% decrease in landscaping irrigation water used, over one million gallons, in FY2019. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Water National; Water
Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis Veterans Administration 2020 The Minneapolis Veterans Administration had a multi-year effort to reduce energy use by buying energy efficient equipment when replacing older equipment such as refrigeration equipment and new Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool registered computer equipment. Its equipment improvements, management techniques, and an eye towards energy savings resulted in a 35 percent decrease in natural gas use in FY2019. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy, Electronics Great Lakes Region; Energy
Department of Energy, Argonne National Lab 2020 Argonne National Laboratory increased the number of computers with power management enabled by 49 percent in FY2019. Additionally, it expanded its composting program, which increased the total amount of food waste and organic materials that were collected in 2019 by 226 percent compared to 2018. Finally, it completed a green infrastructure project that will divert 16 million gallons of stormwater from a treatment plant annually, saving over $13,000. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Electronics, Waste, Water, Compost, Construction and Demolition Great Lake Region; Electronics, Innovation, Waste, and Water
Department of Veterans Affairs, Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 2020 The Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center has a rainwater harvesting process that captures rain fall and uses it to water the Veteran’s Zen garden. The Zen garden is used for the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Section of the hospital. The Center began to replace its outdated halogen light bulbs with more energy efficient LED lighting. Finally, the Center managed to educate nearly 100 percent of its staff about its Green Environmental Management System awareness program goals. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Water, Energy, Waste, Electronics, Transportation South Central Region; Innovation, Electronics, Transportation and Education and Outreach
General Services Administration, OKC Federal Building 2020 The General Services Administration Oklahoma City Post Office and Courthouse Federal Building, located in Okla., reduced its potable water consumption from 3,086,000 gallons in 2018 to 2,191,725 gallons in 2019, resulting in a 28.98 percent improvement. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water South Central Region; Water
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Region 5 2020 The National Greening Fire Team had several achievements in FY 2019, including the execution of an On-site Incident Recycling Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) spanning four Geographic Area Coordination Centers covering five states. One of the offerings of the BPA was standardized recycling equipment, signs, processes, and expectations so fire camp personnel have a similar recycling experience on each camp, increasing efficacy and engagement. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste Pacific Southwest Region; Innovation
Drug Enforcement Administration, Western Laboratory 2020 In 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Western Laboratory joined the PG&E Solar Choice, Green-e Energy Certified program, which provides clean renewable electricity from offsite, utility-owned solar photovoltaic arrays in Northern Calif. In the first three months of participation in the program, the Western Laboratory received 435,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy, accounting for 100 percent of the Laboratory’s energy use. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Southwest Region; Leadership
General Services Administration, 1st Street Federal Courthouse 2020 The United States Courthouse was designed and constructed to meet the requirements of LEED Platinum for new buildings, a certification received shortly after construction was completed in 2016. In FY19, the property had a 30 percent reduction in electricity and a 41 percent decrease in natural gas use, which was achieved only through the efforts of its property management, onsite maintenance, regional support, and the tenants. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Southwest Region; Energy
Department of Defense, US Army Reserve 63rd Readiness Division 2020 The United States Army Reserve (USAR) 63rd Readiness Division (RD), Calif., realized significant water use reduction in 2019. Thanks to its Directorate of Public Works, water use across USAR locations within the 63rd RD footprint dropped 39.3 percent. A reduction from 38,860,000 gallons in 2018 to 23,600,000 gallons in 2019 resulted in a water cost savings of $62,000. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water Pacific Southwest Region; Water
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle 2020 The U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle yielded a 31.2 percent reduction in electricity consumption in FY2019. In accordance with the Base’s Energy and Water Use Reduction Initiative, the Base completed energy improvement projects in 2018 and 2019 which helped to reduce both gas and electricity consumption in 2019. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Northwest Region; Energy
Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration 2020 The Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) 2019 waste reduction efforts resulted in a 13.8 percent drop in landfill waste compared to the previous year. In the same year, BPA completed over 30 strategic energy and water efficiency projects across its service territory. This approach led to a decrease in energy consumption of over 1.5 million kBtus (two percent) and a reduction in water consumption by nearly four million gallons (13 percent) in one year. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy, Water Pacific Northwest Region; Waste, Water and Innovation
The Department of Energy, East Tennessee Technology Park 2019 The East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) reduced its carbon footprint through electronics purchasing, power management and electronics recycling. In 2018 the facility purchased 859 Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool certified gold level registered equipment. In terms of recycling, ETTP recycled 16.20 tons of electronics equipment to a third-party certified recycler in 2018. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Purchasing, Electronics National; Electronics
Department of Veterans Affairs, Manchester Medical Center 2019 Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) achieved a 23 percent reduction in copy paper use from 2017 to 2018. The Manchester VAMC put into place its new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing and Pollution Prevention Policy at the end of 2017 and has long worked to implement waste minimization and other sustainability measures. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Purchasing, Paper National; Purchasing
Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2019 The Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center employees participate in a ride share program that consists of 50 vans and SUVs. In FY18, 25,945 public transit miles and 5,000 bicycle miles were traveled. An additional 10,145 miles were avoided through teleworking. In FY18 the ride share program saved employees $964,401 and reduced carbon emissions by 2,308,346 pounds. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Transportation, Purchasing National; Transportation
Department of Energy (in collaboration), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory 2019 Through a collaboration with the Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory launched a government-owned electric vehicle program, which included increasing the size of the Laboratory’s electric vehicle fleet and replacing gas-powered vehicles. Greenhouse gas emission reductions, since the government electric vehicles were deployed in October 2017 through the end of 2018, are estimated at 10.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Transportation, Purchasing National; Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2019 The Atlanta VA Medical Center, reduced greenhouse gases by recycling water and decreasing its water consumption. The facility reduced its consumption of water by 1,000,000 gallons by installing new urinals and toilets. The facility recycled 4,682 gallons of water and captured 350 gallons of rainwater which was utilized for landscaping. The facility also utilizes a food pulper which saves 4682 gallons of water per year. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Water National; Water
Department of Veterans Affairs, James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center 2019 The James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center's Green Teams do assessments in their working areas to recycle paper, turn off lights and motivate and challenge other teams to be greener. They have well over 90 percent of the employees in the clinic actively on its Green Team and are promoting the program to all new employees. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Waste Mid-Atlantic Region; Innovation
Department of Veterans Affairs, Coatesville VA Medical Center 2019 The Coatesville, Pa. VA Medical Center recycled 1,450 tons of materials and sent 17.5 tons of wood waste to shred into an absorbent material which was processed at an environmental recovery center. The Center also and composted all grass clippings, leaves, and wood from downed trees/limbs. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Waste, Compost Mid-Atlantic Region; Waste Diversion
Department of Veterans Affairs, Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 2019 Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center improved education and outreach efforts by providing various training events throughout 2018. These events gave the Center the opportunity to progress toward its objectives to increase water conservation, reduce energy consumption, and highlight the initiatives its employees have implemented. A greenhouse upgrade and water harvesting also contributed to a significant reduction in water and energy consumption. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Water, Energy, Waste South Central Region; Innovation, Education and Outreach, and Leadership
Region 6 National Aeronautics and Space Administration, White Sands Test Facility 2019 The NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) developed the Reuse Market Place (ReMaP), a software application that allows employees to post items (e.g., furniture, office supplies and usable chemical products) for other departments to claim for reuse on-site at no cost. Providing a marketplace for unwanted materials to all WSTF departments encourages cleanup of storage areas, extends the life of usable equipment and products, reduces redundant purchases, and, in the case of chemical reuse, decreases the amount of hazardous waste generated at WSTF. Since FY2017, reuse through ReMaP saved WSTF over $45,000 through cost avoidance. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Purchasing South Central Region; Innovation
General Services Administration, Earle Cabell Federal Building 2019 The General Services Administration's Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse increased its municipal solid waste composted from 2.59 tons in 2017 to 25.58 tons in 2018, resulting in a 776 percent improvement. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Compost South Central Region; Waste
General Services Administration, Hale Boggs Federal Building and District Courthouse 2019 The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Hale Boggs Federal Building and District Courthouse diverted 83.69 percent of their waste material in FY2018. This diversion rate would not have been possible without the partnership between GSA building management and its custodial contractor Pride Industries. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste South Central Region; Waste Diversion
Drug Enforcement Administration, Southwest Laboratory 2019 The Drug Enforcement Administration's Southwest Laboratory hired an innovative building engineer to work on-site full-time and constantly monitor the building’s use of resources, resulting in a whopping 41 percent reduction in water use – going from 61,336 gallons in 2017 down to 35,904 gallons in 2018. In addition, the lab increased electronics donations by 18 percent and certified electronics recycling by 41 percent in 2018, with a total of 1,660 pounds donated and 2,340 pounds recycled. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water, Electronics Pacific Southwest Region; Innovation, Water and Electronics
Drug Enforcement Administration, Western Laboratory 2019 The Western Laboratory’s Federal Green Challenge and Environmental Management System team and staff recycled more than 1,450 pounds of mixed building recyclables in 2018, exceeding the previous year's recycling efforts by 14 percent. Other examples of its comprehensive environmental leadership include purchasing 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool registered electronic equipment and ensuring batteries and printer toner cartridges are sent to R2 certified recyclers. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Batteries, Paper Pacific Southwest Region; Leadership
U.S. Postal Service – Pacific Area 2019 In 2018, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)– Pacific Area serving Calif., Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Islands, purchased over 27.7 million pounds of paper with 49 percent average recycled paper content. This was a significant increase over the prior year’s 35 percent average recycled content paper purchased. USPS’s 2018 recycled paper purchasing, compared to purchasing the same amount of paper without recycled content, used 65,700 million BTU less energy – equivalent to conserving more than 545,438 gallons of gasoline or more than 700 households’ annual energy use. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Purchasing, Paper Pacific Southwest Region; Purchasing
Army Reserve 9th Mission Support Command 2019 From fiscal year 2017 to 2018, the Army Reserve 9th Mission Support Command in Fort Shafter, Hawaii, increased its recycling rate by almost 180 percent. In other areas of sustainability, the Command reduced its on-site irrigation, resulting in a 30 percent decrease in potable water consumption. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Water Pacific Southwest Region; Waste
Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District 2019 The Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, with full engagement and active participation from the General Services Administration, analyzed peak work hours to develop strategies for reducing energy load at the LEED Gold certified Oxbow building in Seattle, Wash. The implemented strategies resulted in a 15 percent reduction of electricity consumption and a 21 percent reduction in natural gas consumption. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Northwest Region; Innovation
Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration 2019 In FY2018, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) built on its previous successes to nearly double its purchases of energy efficient computer equipment. Additionally, BPA's waste recovery efforts resulted in a 63.5 percent increase of recycled materials from FY17 to FY18 and a 94 percent overall diversion rate. BPA’s Investment Recovery Center also purchased a linear chopper that enabled the recovery of 650,000 pounds of aluminum from scrapped high-capacity conductor. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Electronics Pacific Northwest Region; Electronics and Waste
General Service Administration, Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building 2019 The General Services Administration achieved a 57 percent decrease in natural gas consumption and an overall 25 percent total energy use reduction at the Edith Green Wendell Wyatt building by implementing a dynamic ventilation air system. With this modification the building’s energy performance was reduced from 33,000 BTUs/sq-ft/year to 24,670 BTUs/sq-ft/year, at the end of FY18. The total improvement cost was less than $10,000.00. The net cost savings for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 amounted to $28,111.00, which is approximately three times the cost of investment made for the project. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Northwest Region; Energy
U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Base Support Unit 2019 Base Seattle proactively installed water flow reducers and repaired leaks, resulting in a 30 percent reduction in potable water usage in 2018. Base Seattle also repaired and updated its Energy Monitoring System to improve energy use tracking; enabling better over-usage and water leakage identification. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water, Energy Pacific Northwest Region; Water
Department of Energy, East Tennessee Technology Park 2018 In 2017, in an effort to increase municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling both on-site and in the community, East Tennessee Technology Park's (ETTP) cleanup contractor helped launch a campaign to highlight and boost recycling at the plant, as well as in the community. From October through mid-November, ETTP used numerous inter-company communications, as well as community outlets, to reach its target audience. The anticipated impact is to increase the amount of MSW diversion. The hope is to see fewer plastic bottles make their way into the landfill and to see an increase in plastic bottles received at Roane County Recycling. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Plastics, Waste Southeast Region; Education and Outreach
Department of Veterans Affairs, Minneapolis Health Care System 2018 The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs offered all of its staff a course titled Mini-Masters Recycling Program, which offered sessions on solid waste, recycling, plastic, food waste, and waste prevention. The hospital also increased the amount of Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool registered electronics purchased by 222 percent and reduced the amount of water used for landscaping irrigation by 75 percent by increasing the amount of green infrastructure, which needs less irrigation water. Federal Green Challenge Medical and Healthcare, Federal Government Food Waste, Plastics, Electronics, Water Great Lakes Region; Education and Outreach, Water
Minnesota National Guard 2018 Through use of special tools and technical assistance at 68 percent of its facilities, the Minnesota National Guard saved over $500,000 in energy costs from 2015 to 2018. The Minnesota National Guard also was able to decrease water consumption by 37 percent between 2014 and 2017. Federal Green Challenge State Government, Federal Government Energy, Water Great Lakes Region; Leadership
Environmental Protection Agency, Mid-Continent Ecology Division Laboratory 2018 EPA's Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) Laboratory reduced the amount of printing paper purchased by 41 percent in FY2017. Overall, in 2017, MED reduced its paper use to nearly 10 percent of what it was in 2004. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Paper, Purchasing Great Lakes Region; Purchasing
Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Intelligence Center 2018 Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Intelligence Center's (EPIC) education and outreach programs allowed it to achieve a nearly 80 percent diversion rate for solid waste by recycling 11 tons of commingled products, 0.37 tons of toner cartridges, 0.10 tons of various types of batteries, and 0.73 tons of wooden pallets. In addition, EPIC recycled 5.62 tons of unusable and unserviceable electronics. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Electronics, Paper, Batteries South Central Region; Education and Outreach Narrative
General Services Administration, Fort Worth Federal Center 2018 The General Services Administration’s Fort Worth Federal Center increased the amount of renewable energy used on-site from 15.78 percent in 2016 to 31.75 percent in 2017, resulting in a 101.20 percent improvement. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy South Central Region; Energy
Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Intelligence Center 2018 The Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) recycled 17.84 tons of municipal solid waste, diverting 79.5 percent of its waste from landfills. EPIC has a robust recycling program, achieving a diversion rate of 79.5 percent by keeping 17.84 tons of toner cartridges, numerous batteries, wooden pallets, electronics, appliances, paper, plastics, and aluminum products from going to the Fort Bliss landfill. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Electronics, Batteries, Paper, Plastics, Metal South Central Region; Highest Materials Managed
Department of Veterans Affairs, Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 2018 The Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center approached recycling innovation with the use of personnel and resources that it already had on site. It incorporated a work therapy person to hold a lead position of making sure that paper goods were recycled throughout the facility. While helping work therapy personnel to get back in the workforce, the Center managed to recycle 7.9 tons of paper. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Paper, Water South Central Region; Innovation, Education and Outreach, and Leadership Narrative
General Services Administration, Pete Domenici Courthouse 2018 The Pete Domenici Courthouse reduced its use of potable water from 4,681,732 gallons in 2016 to 3,124,496 gallons in 2017, resulting in a 33 percent improvement. This reduction was possible with the implementation of purple pipe irrigation at the site. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water South Central Region; Water
National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area 2018 In 2017, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area made substantial achievements to reduce its carbon footprint, with the goal of becoming a carbon-neutral park. The greatest accomplishment was purchasing 100 percent renewable energy for all park buildings. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, State Government Energy Pacific Southwest Region; Energy
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Region 5 2018 In 2017, the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Region 5 Sustainability and Energy Team, covering Calif., completed the Southern California Energy Savings Performance Contract ENABLE Project. The project established a streamlined procurement process allowing the aggregation of small projects across multiple federal facilities to install energy conservation measures and renewable energy systems more efficiently. The project will reduce energy use by 80 percent across the project sites to save about 4,893 million BTU of energy and $225,000 in energy costs annually. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy Pacific Southwest Region; Innovation
Presidio Trust 2018 In 2017, the Presidio Trust conducted waste audits and implemented waste reduction practices. Based on the measurement data collected, the Presidio Trust made changes at 11 buildings, including downsizing containers or waste hauling services at four locations, increasing diversion from landfills at five locations, and correcting sizing or services for chronic bin overflow at five locations. From 2016 to 2017, the Presidio Trust increased its reuse of materials by 47 percent, and grew its composting by 30 percent. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Compost Pacific Southwest Region; Leadership
Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration 2018 The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) reduced its printer and copier paper purchased by 16.1 percent, and won an innovation award for efforts related to xeriscaping techniques at different BPA sites. BPA completed the implementation of three xeriscaping pilot projects at three of its substations. Combined, the three pilots collectively saved nearly two million gallons of water in a single year. BPA also raised awareness about excess printing and promotes a “think twice” mentality around large print jobs. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Paper, Water Pacific Northwest Region; Innovation and Purchasing
Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District 2018 The Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District increased its recycled materials collected by 62.7 percent, and increased outreach and education efforts to improve its recycling and waste sorting. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste Pacific Northwest Region; Outreach and Education, and Waste
U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Base Support Unit 2018 The Seattle Base Support Unit continuously looks for options to reduce water and energy consumption, and it reduced its potable water usage by almost 19 percent in 2017. To realize water efficiencies, Base Seattle used a combination of projects that included an advanced metering system, low-flow fixtures, native landscaping, and customer awareness, both ashore and afloat. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water Pacific Northwest Region; Water
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Langley Research Center 2018 In 2018 and 2019, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Langley Research Center experienced a 37 percent increase in green infrastructure square footage. New low impact development features included three bio-retention cells and two compost amended grass channels. To prevent future stormwater pollution to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and foster environmental stewardship, employee volunteers planted over 1,000 tree seedlings (hardwood mix) over two acres (adjacent to local waterways) during Earth Day and Arbor Day events. Additionally, a total of 11,800 sedum plugs were added to a 9,600-square foot green roof to assist in sedum establishment and to improve green roof performance. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy, Water Mid-Atlantic Region
Department of Veterans Affairs, Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2018 In 2017, this facility implemented a new controlled substances disposal program for inpatient waste. Pharmaceutical waste in the facility is properly segregated using color-coded bins. The program diverts pharmaceutical waste from entering waterways and landfills. As a result of the program, there has been an increase in regulatory compliance and a decrease in possible violations. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Waste Mid-Atlantic Region; Innovation
Department of Veterans Affairs, James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2018 The Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Altoona, Pa., has helped improve the Green Environmental Management Systems at more than half of the hospitals in its network. This Center leads its Veterans Integrated Service Network with green chemical purchases, facility recycling, and the reduction of municipal solid waste that is generated. Construction and demolition waste declined significantly. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Waste, Purchasing Mid-Atlantic Region; Leadership
Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency 2018 The Department of Defense cyber security requirements facilitated the Missile Defense Agency to upgrade approximately 90 percent of its equipment in order to handle new security protocols and an operating system. This new equipment is primarily Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered. EPEAT is a free and trusted source of environmental product ratings that makes it easier to select electronics that meet an organization’s IT and sustainability goals. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Electronics, Purchasing Mid-Atlantic Region; Electronics and Green Purchasing
Department of Justice, McDowell Federal Correctional Institution 2018 The Federal Correctional Institution McDowell exceeded its targeted goal of increasing diversion by five percent and gained a much higher result by diverting over 16 percent from the local landfill than in the previous year. The implementation of environmental outreach programs included the education of staff, along with inmates, to provide them with instructions on waste reduction and diversion practices. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste Mid-Atlantic Region; Education and Outreach
U.S. Vermont Air National Guard 2018 From FY2016 to FY2017, the Vermont Air National Guard redesigned and began construction on an aircraft taxiway and a separate aircraft parking apron for the unit’s assigned aircraft, which required the demolition of existing concrete and asphalt pavements and utility structures. Through pre-construction planning and coordination, the project contractor and contracting team diverted 12,286 tons of milled asphalt pavement, 35,796 tons of demolished concrete, and 43,000 cubic yards of excavated soil from area landfills. The redesign and construction of the new taxiway was a win-win-win in terms of saving tax payer dollars, material reuse, and waste diversion from the landfill. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, State Government Construction and Demolition, Water New England Region; Leadership
Veterans Administration, Veterans Affairs Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System 2018 In 2016, Veteran Administration Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System's Green Environmental Management System Committee identified a mechanism for the hospital’s Nutritional and Food Service Department to divert its food waste from landfills. A food waste dehydrator was selected for its ease of operation, low maintenance and efficiency. The kitchen staff appreciated lifting trash bags that were significantly lighter due to the absence of heavy food scraps. The groundskeepers benefitted from a free product that they would otherwise have to purchase. In just over 208 days, Nutritional Services diverted 12.25 tons of food waste, eliminating an unnecessary waste management cost. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare, State Government Food Waste New England Region; Innovation
Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration 2018 To achieve its 92 percent diversion rate, the highest-impact facilities undergo waste audits every few years to determine the makeup and contamination level of its landfill, recycling, and compost materials streams. Department of Energy Bonneville Power Administration's Investment Recovery Center (IRC) is also instrumental in the responsible diversion of unwanted or surplus materials. In 2017, the IRC undertook a massive substation cleanup effort that resulted in the recycling of 128 tons of materials that would have otherwise gone to a landfill. Overall, the IRC recovered over 2,000 tons of waste in FY2017. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Waste, Plastics, Compost National; Highest Percentage of Materials Managed
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center 2018 The Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center, located in Bonham, Texas, increased its alternative fuel vehicle and hybrid electric fleet from 91 to 167 vehicles. The VA Medical Center also increased bike miles traveled from six to 80 miles. The Center increased its purchasing of Electronic Product Environmental Assessment registered electronics by 542 percent over last year, from 87 to 559 units. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government, Medical and Healthcare Electronics, Transportation, Purchasing National; Electronics and Transportation
Department of Energy, East Tennessee Technology Park 2018 In 2017, renewable energy credits purchased by the site and solar energy produced and sold back to the grid totaled 20,228,000 kWh. This far exceeded the 13,543,000 kWh used at the site during the same time period. In 2017, the renewable energy purchased or installed on-site increased to 149,361.29 kWh. This success resulted in an increase of renewable energy purchased or installed by 648 percent. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Energy National; Energy
Region 6 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), El Paso Intelligence Center 2018 The Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) reduced the amount of paper purchased by 53 percent from 4,500 pounds in FY2016 to 2,099 pounds in FY2017. EPIC promoted behavioral changes for paper use and encourages its employees to use electronic format files rather than the printing and storing of hard copies. These efforts also contribute to the savings of energy and disposal costs as EPIC continues to work on goals with its environmental partners at Fort Bliss and the El Paso, Texas communities. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Purchasing, Paper National; Purchasing
U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 2018 In 2017, the Volpe Green Team joined with food service management to establish a back-of-the-house compost program designed to capture organic waste from the food preparation stations. The benefits of the new program were appreciated by cafeteria staff who noted that food scraps, now collected and stored in a walk-in freezer, were no longer causing smells in the kitchen. By the end of the fiscal year, the food waste diversion program sent 4.4 tons of food scraps to an anaerobic digester that generated electricity from bio-gas. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Anaerobic Digestion National; Waste
The Drug Enforcement Agency, Southeast Laboratory 2018 The Drug Enforcement Agency, Southeast Laboratory reduced potable water use by 69 percent, from 950,710 gallons to 293,964 gallons. The facility currently uses a deionized water purification system to remove impurities from the water supply. This system also has the ability to operate continuously, even when off-line, to minimize excess water waste. Federal Green Challenge Federal Government Water National; Water
Samsung Electronics 2021 Samsung's 4K and 8K quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) and MicroLED televisions feature a solar cell-powered remote control that aims to reduce battery waste. The solar powered remote is rechargeable and can operate under low-light conditions, maximizing its lifespan. The product is estimated to prevent the wastage of 99 million AA batteries over seven years (average lifespan of a television product) and 6,000 tons of GHGs per year. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Batteries, Energy, Plastics Sustained Excellence Award
Dell Technologies 2021 Dell Technologies was the first to use closed loop aluminum in hard drives, featured in the Dell OptiPlex 7090 Small Form Factor and Mini Towers. The aluminum is sourced from old disk drives and other e-waste products. Dell diverted over 7.2 tons of aluminum from landfills and put it back into about 24,000 hard disk drives resulting in 20% recycled content in each drive by weight. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Metal Sustained Excellence Award
LG Electronics 2021 The LG Sound Bar uses recycled materials in both the product and packaging, with an innovative L-shaped box design. The Sound Bar's outer fabric is made up of 6.5 repurposed plastic bottles translating into 550,000 bottles that can be recycled each year. The product contains at least 15% post-consumer recycled content. The packaging is recycled molded pulp instead of expanded polystyrene (EPS), a replacement that is estimated to reduce 30 tons of EPS per year. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Plastics, Textiles Champion Award; Product Category
Dell Technologies 2021 Dell’s Latitude 5000 and Precision 3560 series laptops contain key sustainable components such as bioplastic (21%), post-consumer recycled plastic (30%) and reclaimed carbon fiber (20%) in the lids. This design led to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reductions equivalent to driving 24.2 million miles, saving enough energy to power 5,564 homes for a year, and conserving enough water to fill 226 Olympic-size pools. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Plastics Champion Award; Cutting Edge
Samsung Electronics 2020 Samsung introduced a sustainable packaging design to the Galaxy S10 smartphone. The enhanced packaging design has had impressive environmental results. It avoided 32 grams of packaging material from the S9 to the S10 smartphone by eliminating all plastics except for the screen protector and minimizing the remaining paper and molded pulp, resulting in a 16% packaging weight reduction. Samsung estimated that these changes led to an avoidance of 1,181 MTCO2e factored by sales in 2019. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Plastics, Paper Champion Award; Product Category
Dell Technologies 2020 The 13-inch Dell Latitude 7300 25th Anniversary Edition laptop is full of sustainable features, including up to 27 hours of battery life. Ocean-bound plastic (25%) and recycled HDPE plastic (75%) are used in the packaging trays. The device also uses reclaimed carbon fiber from aerospace manufacturing scraps in the LCD cover, preventing more than two million pounds of carbon fiber from ending up in the landfill, increasing its recycled content to 18% and reducing the product’s weight. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing, Retailers Electronics Champion Award; Product Category
Samsung Electronics 2019 Samsung is receiving the Cutting-Edge Award for developing an affordable, upcycled, smartphone-based diagnosis camera to improve eye health care equality in underserved populations. Currently piloted in another country, the camera extends the life of obsolete phones, uses 50 percent recycled content, and is designed for easy reuse or recovery. During the pilot phase, Samsung piloted the camera in 38 community clinics and screened more than 10,000 eyes with the devices. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing, Medical and Healthcare Electronics, Plastics Champion Award; Cutting Edge
Dell Technologies 2019 Dell developed a closed loop process for recycling rare earth materials from hard disk drives (HDDs) from returned Dell enterprise equipment. The magnets are reformed for reuse in new hard-disk drives in Dell Latitude 5400 and 5500 notebooks. The pilot HDD magnets contained <five percent closed loop content, but additional streams of recycled material were added from non-Dell sources. During the pilot, Dell diverted 660 pounds of magnet material from landfills to create 25,000 HDDs. The process is scalable to use over 8,000 pounds of magnet material to create over 300,000 closed-loop HDDs annually. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics Champion Award; Product Category
Best Buy Co., Inc. 2018 Best Buy partnered with certified electronics recyclers to create TeenTech Centers. These centers contribute to Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education for under-served youth in the United States through the reuse of older electronics and new equipment that gives these youth the opportunity to learn about STEM related disciplines such as coding, digital music and film production photography, and 3D design. SMM Electronics Challenge Retailers, Very Business Electronics Champion Award; Cutting Edge
Xerox 2018 Xerox developed a strategy for take-back and remanufacturing of their toner cartridges and other imaging products. Customers can easily return used supplies for free and, on average, Xerox reports that it remanufactures about 50 percent by volume of the used cartridges that are returned. In 2017, the takeback program reused 725 tons of material, recycled 1,050 tons, sent 134 tons to waste-to-energy facilities, and kept all material out of the landfill. Xerox’s calculated GHG benefits are equivalent to taking more than 300 vehicles off the road for one year. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Plastics Champion Award; Non-Product Category
Dell Technologies 2018 By using gold reclaimed from used electronics, Dell is reducing its demand for mining of gold ore, resulting in a decrease in associated environmental impacts from gold mining. Dell states that a Trucost study shows the Dell’s gold reclamation process, created by Dell partner Wistron GreenTech, has a 99% lower environmental impact than traditional mined gold. The Trucost study also found that gold mining causes 41-times the social impact (negative) as gold recycling. SMM Electronics Challenge Electronics Manufacturing Electronics, Metal Champion Award; Product Category

HelloFresh

 2021 In 2020, HelloFresh had a donations outlet at every site, with organics recycling solutions available at all distribution centers. While HelloFresh experienced an overall increase in total surplus due to higher order volumes and operational challenges, the largest facility in Newark, N.J. demonstrated inventory management excellence, with a 13 percent reduction in total cost of unsold inventory compared to 2019. In 2020, distribution centers diverted 2,355 tons of food surplus from landfills, 96 percent of which was donated to feeding people. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Provider Compost, Donation Regional

Wegmans Food Markets

 2021 Wegmans’ same-store food donations were up 1.65 million pounds in 2019 and up another 1.6 million pounds in 2020. Total company donations amounted to 18.6 million pounds in 2019 and 19.6 million pounds in 2020. Wegmans diverted 69.60 million pounds of food waste in 2019 and 69.67 million pounds in 2020. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation Regional

Sodexo: Various Locations

 2021 In 2020, Sodexo prevented 1.95 million pounds of food waste from occurring, saved the equivalent of 1.63 million meals, and helped avoid 6,191 metric tons of CO2 through the use of WasteWatch powered by Leanpath. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers Donation Regional

Ravitz Family Markets: Various Locations

 2021 In partnering with The Food Bank of South Jersey, Ravitz Family Markets: Shoprite of Evesham Road donated over 50 tons of food to be distributed to those in need in the surrounding communities. Through the same partnership, the location at Shoprite of Union Mill Road donated over 53 tons of food, the Shoprite of Garden State Pavilion location donated over 142 tons of food, and the Shoprite of Mount Laurel location donated over 33 tons of food. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation Regional

Eat Greater Des Moines

 2021 Eat Greener Des Moines' (EGDM) Operation Fresh Produce Drop started in April 2020 to help move excess bulk products from wholesale distributors while supporting organizations affected by the pandemic. As the initiative evolved, EGDM distributed over 3,500 boxes of produce and dairy a week through the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm to Families food box program. In 2020, EGDM moved over 1.31 million pounds of fresh food. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Solid Waste Management District

 2021 In 2020, the District provided grant funding to Kanbe’s Market, a non-profit organization working to eliminate food deserts in Kansas City. The purpose of the grant was to assist Kanbe’s in growing its local food waste alliance. The alliance receives food from various sources, sells products in Healthy Corner Stores, and donates additional food to partners that help feed people, such as churches and kitchens. In 2020, the alliance diverted more than 70,000 pounds of food from landfill disposal. Food Recovery Challenge Public Sector Compost, Donation Regional

Lincoln Public School’s Hartley Elementary School

 2021 In August 2019, Hartley Elementary implemented a composting program in the cafeteria. Approximately four tons of organic waste was collected from Hartley when the program began in 2019. By 2020, that number increased 60 percent, and Hartley was able to divert more than six tons of organic material from the landfill. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost Regional

Feeding it Forward

 2021 Feeding It Forward increased its recovery efforts by 375 percent in 2020, recovering over 38 tons of food compared to only eight tons in 2019. In 2020, 1,500 pounds of food were diverted to feed animals. The remaining 74,500 pounds were provided to people in the form of approximately 62,000 meals. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

FoodCycle LA

 2021 During 2020, FoodCycle diverted over 1.74 million meals to food insecure populations throughout Los Angeles. This resulted in a total of 2.09 million pounds of food diverted from landfills, the equivalent of 2,176 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. During 2020, FoodCycle expanded its collecting from 53 to 112 donating businesses. By partnering with community-based organizations and engaging with more donors, FoodCycle was able to support 166 additional food distributions in 2020. By collaborating with existing community-based distributions, the non-profit was able to grow its impact and recover 1,250 percent more food than the previous year. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

PCC Community Markets

 2021 Since 2018, PCC Community Markets (PCC) has donated over three million meals to neighbors in need by partnering with more than 40 local food banks and non-profits throughout the Puget Sound. PCC also sorts unconsumable food, such as organic trimmings, into commercial composting or their onsite WISErg biodigestion systems. In 2020, PCC diverted and processed 2,699 tons of compostable waste. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation Regional

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

 2021 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) composted 665 tons of organic waste from terminal operations in 2020. Since 2006, SEA tenants have donated nearly 400,000 meals, including over 54,000 pounds of food in 2020. Also in 2020, SEA launched the “SEAson of Caring” community food drive in partnership with the Des Moines Area Food bank and South King County Food Coalition, which collected nearly 500 pounds of food and $4,000 in donations from the public and airport tenants. Food Recovery Challenge   Compost, Donation Regional

Seattle Mariners/T-Mobile Park

 2021 In 2019, T-Mobile Park diverted 457 tons of food waste. In 2020, when there were no fans present for the pandemic-shortened baseball season, T-Mobile Park diverted 94 tons of food waste. In 2020, the Mariners received MLB’s Green Glove Award for recycling 98 percent of all waste generated at T-Mobile Park. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Compost, Donation, Plastics Regional

Microsoft Corporate Headquarters Campus

 2021 In 2020, Microsoft’s dining and catering teams at the company’s Redmond, Wash. campus came together to donate more than 57 tons of food to local non-profit and community groups. At the start of the year, all campus dining locations closed because of COVID-19. The Microsoft food service team jumped into action to ensure the food on hand could be repurposed for those in need in the community. By May 2020, Microsoft had donated over 326,000 meals to local groups to feed people in the community. Food Recovery Challenge Large Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Donation Regional

Gonzaga University

 2021 In 2020, Gonzaga University faced many challenges as it navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. Because of the pandemic, fewer students were on campus, and the remaining students on site could not consume the 70 to 100 pounds of romaine grown each week. The university donated greenhouse romaine to local soup kitchens each week and increased the number of local donations throughout 2020. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation Regional

University of Washington – Seattle Campus

 2021 In 2020, University of Washington's (UW) Seattle campus recovered 10,720 pounds of food that would have otherwise been wasted. This was a 13 percent increase in food recovery from 2019 and a 26 percent increase from 2018. UW owes its success to its food recovery efforts across dining facilities, its on-campus farm and food pantry, and its partnership with Food Lifeline. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation Regional

Rock and Wrap it Up!

 2020 In June 2020, Rock and Wrap it Up! (RWU) started the Veteran Farmer’s Market to reduce senior at-risk veterans' exposures to COVID-19 in food stores by providing them with recovered food. RWU worked with the Trader Joe’s of Hewlett, N.Y., the Costco of Lawrence, N.Y., and American Legion Lawrence-Cedarhurst Post 339 members to set up the farmer’s market, which is held three times weekly. All food not claimed is then shared with Gammy’s Food Pantry, part of the Five Towns Community Center in Inwood, N.Y. where it is distributed to the local community. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

Price Chopper/Market 32

 2020 In 2019, daily shrink (loss of product inventory) best practices and protocols resulted in nearly 16,000 tons of source reduction, while food banks and partner agencies collected 1,407 tons of fresh food. 4,484 tons of product not fit for human consumption were used for animal feed; 424 tons of fats, oil, and grease were collected for rendering or conversion; and 1,495 tons were composted. In total, the efforts of thousands of teammates helped Price Chopper/Market 32 divert over 30,000 tons of product from landfills. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation Regional

Wegmans Food Markets

 2020 Wegmans’ Rochester, N.Y. store food donations were up 1.65 million pounds in 2019. Total company donations amounted to 18.6 million pounds in 2019. Wegmans diverted 69.60 million pounds of food waste in 2019. All 106 Wegmans stores donate perishable and non-perishable food items to local food pantries and food banks each week, to get food into the hands of those who need it most. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation, Anaerobic Digestion Regional

Ravitz Family Markets: Various Locations

 2020 Ravitz Family Markets continues to strive toward becoming a zero-waste facility. In partnering with The Food Bank of South Jersey, Ravitz Family Markets: Shoprite of Evesham Road donated over 50 tons of food to be distributed to those in need in the surrounding communities. Through the same partnership, the location at Shoprite of Union Mill Road donated over 53 tons of food, the Shoprite of Garden State Pavilion location donated over 142 tons of food, and the Shoprite of Mount Laurel location donated over 33 tons of food. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation Regional

Sodexo at Utica College

 2020 One of Sodexo’s greatest lessons learned is that even if it educates people about the importance of mitigating food waste and increasing food recovery, the company must have the right resources in place to transport and refrigerate food. Working with organizations like Move for Hunger has demonstrated that having effective partnerships that span across the entire supply chain is critical to meet the company’s goals. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers, Colleges and Universities Donation Regional

St. John’s University

 2020 In 2019, St. John’s University’s sustainability efforts included recovering food to help alleviate hunger and source separating food waste for on-site aerated static pile composting. In total, St. John’s University diverted three tons of food in 2019. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation, Compost Regional

Sprouts Farmers Market: Various Locations

 2020 Sprouts Farmers Market has a robust Food Rescue Program where stores donate edible food that is not in retail condition to local food pantries and hunger relief agencies. In 2019, Sprouts #945 diverted over 62 tons of food through the Food Rescue and Food Waste Recycling programs. As a company, Sprouts diverted over 22,000 tons through these programs. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation Regional

HelloFresh

 2020 HelloFresh uses enhanced demand forecast modeling, smart just-in-time ordering, and robust rollover processes to reduce food surplus before it happens. In 2019, the total surplus accounted for only two percent of total purchased volume, 65 percent of which was donated to feeding people. In New Jersey alone, HelloFresh’s partners have informed them that donated food is delivered to over 198 food banks and community organizations. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Provider Donation Regional

Virginia Department of Corrections

 2020 In 2019, the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) inmates and staff generated over 17,000 tons of trash for a cost of $1 million in landfill fees, as well as $200–$600 a month per site in dumpster rental fees. Waste audits have confirmed that approximately half of the waste generated by a correctional facility is compostable. VADOC composted 892 tons of food waste in 2019, a 53 percent increase from 2018. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Compost Regional

Firekeepers Casino Hotel

 2020 FireKeepers Casino Hotel gives back to the community by supplying fresh produce to three local schools for healthy lunches, and through “The Fire Hub,” a fire station converted into a restaurant. The Fire Hub houses a food pantry, which works in conjunction with the South Michigan Food Bank to serve over 1,400 households. Through these efforts, FireKeepers increased its food donations by 271 percent in 2019. Food Recovery Challenge Hospitality, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Donation Regional

Iowa Waste Reduction Center - University of Northern Iowa

 2020 The Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC’s) Food Waste Program provides on-site assistance to prevent and reduce food waste. The IWRC provided training for 35 compost operators, conducted 14 food waste presentations that were educational and/or technical; some were an overview of EPA’s Food Recovery Hierarchy and issues associated with food waste and others included step-by-step instructions to implement replicable strategies. To prevent and reduce food waste, the IWRC provided technical assistance to 18 organizations and/or businesses including six breweries. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost Regional

Shawnee Mission East High School

 2020 Shawnee Mission East students and staff composted 12.38 tons of food waste during 2019, a 538 percent increase from 1.94 tons composted the previous year. The composted food returns to school gardens and the culinary program’s urban farm to grow more food. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Plastics Regional

Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute

 2020 In 2019, Kansas State University's Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI) developed a standard operating procedure for the Lawrence Douglas County School Districts for safely donating excess food to local food banks. PPI also developed a marketing campaign for Kansas State University student cafeterias that educated students about only taking food they will eat. The campaign included hard copy and digital messaging and was rolled out in the Fall of 2019. That same year, PPI worked with Wichita Building event hosts to facilitate donation of over 100 pounds of excess food to shelters and alcohol treatment programs to feed food insecure populations. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation Regional

Disneyland Resort

 2020 Disneyland Resort has implemented numerous programs to reduce its environmental footprint. The reducing food waste program targets each step of the food preparation and serving process. In 2019, those efforts led to over eight million pounds of food diverted from landfills. Used cooking oil is collected for conversion into biodiesel and used to fuel the Disneyland Railroad steam trains and the Mark Twain Riverboat attraction. The biodiesel process eliminates the need for approximately 200,000 gallons of petroleum diesel per year. Food Recovery Challenge Hospitality Donation Regional

Zero Waste Company

 2020 In 2019, Zero Waste Company worked an event for 6,000 people who were served breakfast and lunch during a two-day event, totaling 24,000 meals in 48 hours. Zero Waste Company found that 4,800 out of 24,000 meals prepared were not eaten. The company coordinated the pickup and drop-off of food donations with several local charities. For that event, Zero Waste Company composted 4.07 tons of food waste. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Donation, Compost Regional

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

 2020 In 2019, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SAN) recovered approximately 161,664 pounds of edible food, a 58 percent increase from 2018. Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimate that the average meal weighs 1.2 pounds, SAN donated around 134,000 meals to feed the community through the San Diego Rescue Mission and the United Service Organization Neil Ash Airport Center. Food Recovery Challenge   Plastics, Compost Regional

Windward Zero Waste School Hui

 2020 In 2019, Windward Zero Waste School Hui (WZWSH) established a significant online presence to manage the Compost Club and product sales, and to promote the philosophies and practices that transform damaged and depleted sites into rich, balanced, sustainable ecosystems. With operations at full capacity at five schools, WZWSH recovered a record 55.2 tons of food waste in 2019, exceeding 43.8 tons recovered in 2018. Staff harvested 53 cubic yards of finished compost and 1,475 pounds of vermicast. Sales of surplus compost and vermicast totaled $17,305. The total 2019 revenue from recovered resource products was $26,085. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government, School or School District Compost Regional

Center for EcoTechnology, Inc.

 2019 Throughout its Help Hartford County’s Hungry project, the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) contacted over 230 businesses and provided technical assistance to more than 18 businesses and institutions. CET estimates that these businesses will divert about 136 tons of food waste per year. Projects like these have made it possible for CET to keep over 115,000 tons of food waste out of the trash, facilitate the donation of 17 million meals, and avoid about 24,000 tons of C02 emissions since 2013. Food Recovery Challenge Small Business Compost, Donation Regional

Island Grown Initiative

 2019 The Island Grown Initiative’s Food Waste Reduction and Redirection Project is an island-wide effort on Martha’s Vineyard that works with food that was once taken away as waste and gives it to the hungry or composts it. A Martha's Vineyard 600-student school recovered 1.34 tons of food waste for compost in 2018. The initiative collected 233 tons from businesses and institutions by September 2018, nearly twice what was predicted for the year. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization, School or School District Compost, Donation Regional

Rhode Island Department of Health

 2019 In 2018-2019, Rhode Island Department of Health food inspection reports were updated to include an invitation to restaurants and other food service organizations to participate in the Rhode to End Hunger and the MEANS Database. This initiative simultaneously feeds the hungry while reducing the amount of food waste in Rhode Island. It prevented 30,680 pounds of food from being disposed in Rhode Island’s Central Landfill in 2019. Food Recovery Challenge State Government Donation Regional

Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District

 2019 Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District's (CVSWMD) 2019 EPA funded project, Food Waste Reduction for Greener Schools in Central Vermont, focused directly on reducing wasted edible food and milk in schools in five Vt. towns. Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year, participating schools decreased food waste by an average of 17.4 percent and milk waste by 41 percent. Every school surveyed also reduced the portion of food disposed of in the trash, and participating schools as a group decreased the weight of food in the trash by 45 percent. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Donation Regional

Rock and Wrap it Up!

 2019 Rock and Wrap it Up! (RWU!) identifies potential donor organizations who have wholesome, surplus food; analyzes the organizations’ ability to donate food efficiently; requires donors to have health certificates issued by their respective municipalities; and pairs donors with local food rescue services. In 2018, its participating entities donated over 145,000 pounds of food. RWU! has a presence in all fifty states and estimates that its donors rescue at least 20 million pounds of food each year. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

Golub Corporation (Price Chopper, Market 32, Market Bistro)

 2019 The Golub Corporation's Fresh Recovery program engages over 13,000 store teammates in the collection of tons of non-saleable, but edible fresh food for Feeding America food banks, providing millions of meals to those in need. In 2018, 1,728 tons of food were donated, 16,193 tons of food waste prevented, and 5,756 tons of compost produced in Price Chopper and Market 32 stores, totaling 23,677 tons of food waste diverted from landfills - a 14 percent improvement over 2017. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation Regional

Wegmans Food Markets

 2019 In 2018, 98 Wegmans stores diverted more than 28,896 tons of food waste through its diversion programs, which included donating 10,161 tons of food and composting 18,735 tons. Wegmans Food Markets has been reducing food waste since the 1970s. The company continues to expand its efforts aimed at minimizing all forms of waste at the store level, with food waste front and center. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation, Anaerobic Digestion Regional

Ravitz Family Markets

 2019 Ravitz Family Markets has an innovative program that incorporates elements of both source reduction and donation. In 2018, Ravitz Family Markets, Shoprite: Marlton Supermarkets diverted 89 tons of food waste from the landfill through donation to people and animals, plus 210 more tons through composting. Several other stores had similar successes. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation Regional

Raritan Valley Community College

 2019 In 2018, Raritan Valley Community College diverted 7.65 tons of organic waste (90 percent food, 10 percent paper) from across campus and 1.63 tons of fat, oil, and grease from its kitchen. The organic waste was hauled by a third party to an industrial composting facility and a farm in Penn. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost Regional

Towson University

 2018 In 2018, Towson University (TU) made composting available in all its residence halls. The broadening program contributed to TU composting over 293,000 pounds in food waste and mixed organics in 2018. The university introduced a Zero Waste Events Initiative to reduce food waste stemming from the thousands of annual events held on its campus. By the end of 2018, more than 13,000 campus students, faculty, staff and visitors had attended one of the more than 3,000 zero waste events on TU’s campus. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost, Donation Regional

Stella’s Lounge - Barfly Ventures

 2019 Stella’s Lounge has been making strides to not only divert food waste from the incinerator, but also to switch its single-use products to those made from renewable resources. In 2018, 32 new staff were trained to sort all pre- and post-consumer food scraps into green compost bins and buckets located throughout the dining room, behind the bar, and in the kitchen. Compost bins were also placed in restrooms so guests could properly sort their paper towels after drying their hands. These efforts contributed to a 50 percent increase in composting from 2017 to 2018. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost Regional

Food Rescue Partnership

 2019 The Food Rescue Partnership (FRP) is a Quad Cities (Rock Island and Moline in Ill. and Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa) coalition that promotes rescuing food for its best possible use to achieve a vision of a Quad Cities community dedicated to eliminating food waste. Through the collaborated efforts of its interested parties and community partners, the FRP has diverted more than 48,455 pounds of food from the landfill. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Compost, Donation Regional

Rising Star Elementary - Shawnee Mission School District

 2019 Through the combined efforts of the entire school community, Rising Star Elementary saw an improvement in its food recovery efforts from 13,875 pounds composted during 2017 to 27,000 pounds recovered in 2018. The Shawnee Mission School District Food Service helped the school succeed. Styrofoam was eliminated in 2007, followed by plastic straws in 2017. Food is served on durable trays with reusable flatware. Milk and juice cartons are recycled. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Plastics Regional

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

 2019 Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, Kan. supports the Shawnee Mission School District in over 40 district buildings and facilities. In 2018, school district compost totaled 771,250 pounds diverted from local landfills and 750 cubic yards of compost was returned to district projects and gardens. Students developed an awareness that wasting food is wasting valuable resources. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government, Medical and Healthcare, School or School District Compost, Plastics Regional

St. Louis Cardinals

 2019 The St. Louis Cardinals have a proven track record of promoting sustainability and making a positive impact on its community. Annual food donations doubled in 2018 from four tons to almost 10 tons, and composting increased from 157 tons to almost 216 tons. Efforts in 2018 to reduce food waste as part of the Food Recovery Challenge resulted in the ability to provide an estimated 13,000 meals in conjunction with Operation Food Search. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Compost, Donation Regional

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Solid Waste Management District

 2019 In 2018, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Solid Waste Management District hosted a viewing of the film "Wasted” with community outreach tables. It also coordinated the annual Missouri Recycling Association Conference where two sessions on food waste were held with more than 40 people in attendance as well as a Food Recovery Challenge recognition award event. As part of its social media outreach, the MARC Solid Waste Management District started a multi-week campaign centering on food waste prevention. These posts reached almost 34,000 individuals. Food Recovery Challenge Public Sector Food Waste Regional

City of Cupertino

 2019 To help residents with their organics diversion in 2018, Recology (an integrated resource recovery company in San Francisco) and City of Cupertino, Calif. staff provided 123 kitchen pails to new and existing customers who requested them and 57 backyard compost bins to those who completed a composting workshop. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Compost Regional

University of Oregon

 2019 Over 10 years, the University of Oregon grew its composting program substantially, composting 346 tons in 2018 compared to 27 tons in its first year. In total, the University of Oregon diverted over 2,400 tons of compostable material from landfills through composting alone. In 2018, aggressive food donation efforts by the dining facilities accounted for another 80 tons of diverted food. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost Regional

Rudy’s Markets Inc. doing business as (dba) Newport Avenue Market

 2019 Rudy’s Markets captures an estimated 49,000 pounds of recovered food per year for its gleaner program, and the food primarily goes to feed residents at senior centers and nursing homes in the region, with some food going to homeless shelters. The Newport Avenue store’s composting program is driven by its produce, meat, dairy, and deli departments with an average per week of 1.25 tons of food scraps collected and an estimated yearly total of 66.5 tons diverted. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost Regional

Boston College

 2018 From 2016 to 2017, the introduction of the front-of-house student compost program increased diversion of food waste by about 27 percent, from approximately 300 to 380 tons. Due to the success of the effort, Boston College Dining Services expanded its front-of-house compost program to other dining locations including Stuart Dining Hall, the freshman dining hall, and Addie’s, a student-run cafe. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost Regional

Food for Free

 2018 In 2017, Food for Free recovered and delivered two million pounds of surplus food from area businesses and institutions and delivered this wholesome food to over 100 feeding programs in greater Boston. Food for Free's Family Meals program rescued 75,000 pounds of prepared food, creating over 25,000 meals to feed hungry people in 2017. It distributed the remaining food, about 50,000 pounds, in bulk to various recipient organizations. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Compost, Donation Regional

The Skinny Pancake

 2018 The Skinny Pancake is organized to receive most of its raw ingredients at a central facility allowing bulk ordering and the reallocation of product in the event of over ordering. If too much food is cooked, it is donated to local food banks, sending over 300 pounds a year to feed hungry people. Additionally, from 2015 to 2018, over 65 tons of food scraps were diverted from landfill and into the compost stream. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost, Donation, Anaerobic Digestion Regional

Golub Corporation (Price Chopper, Market 32)

 2018 A store Fresh Recovery program engages over 13,000 teammates in the collection of tons of non-saleable, but edible fresh food for Feeding America Foods Banks, providing millions of meals to those in need. 2017 Fresh Recovery results reflect an increase of 18 percent over 2016. Food salvage and produce spoils are also donated to local farmers for use as animal feed. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers, Large Business Donation Regional

Rock and Wrap it Up!

 2018 In 2017, Rock and Wrap it Up!'s participating entities and locations donated over 145,000 pounds of food to feed hungry people. Rock and Wrap it Up! has a presence in all fifty states and estimates that its donors rescue at least 20 million pounds of food each year. Rock and Wrap it Up! also developed a phone app called the Whole Earth Calculator that translates donor organizations’ food donation amounts into the number of meals for the hungry and the amount of greenhouse gases averted. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

Skidmore College

 2018 During 2017, Skidmore College's dining hall donated over 3,000 pounds of over-produced, unserved food to a local food pantry. The commission’s project concluded with a zero-waste themed dinner. Students attending the dinner produced only 50 percent of the usual amount of dinner waste and watched a documentary that was created by the Sustainability Commission. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Food Waste Regional

Ravitz Family Markets, Price Rite Supermarkets, Inc.

 2018 In 2017, the Camden store increased the tonnage of food diverted from the landfill by 21 percent (from 2016) through both donation to hungry people and to composting. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost, Donation Regional

FoodBridge (UEmpower of Maryland)

 2018 Developed by UEmpower of Maryland, a non-profit organization, the FoodBridge online food rescue system connects donors of surplus food to non-profit organizations. Through the use of FoodBridge, UEmpower had rescued over 227,000 pounds of wholesome, surplus food as of 2018, contributing to over 567,000 meals for those in need throughout the Baltimore metro area. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation Regional

GIANT Food Stores, LLC

 2018 In 2017, GIANT proudly donated 3,922,000 pounds of wholesome quality food to the food bank, equal to 3,268,333 meals served. The same year, each GIANT store saved an average of $1,600 by recycling its food waste. Looking forward, GIANT will expand its store food donation program so that all departments can participate. This expansion is part of GIANT’S commitment to reduce food waste by fifty percent by 2025. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Donation, Anaerobic Digestion, Compost Regional

University of Pittsburgh

 2018 Students and University of Pittsburgh Dining teamed up with the local food recovery organization 412 Food Rescue and together, they donated more than 24,000 pounds of surplus food from campus - delivering it to local hunger-fighting agencies in the area, including the campus food pantry and the local housing authority. Student involvement in composting resulted in the University's composting effort increasing nearly 600 percent from 2016 to 2017 - from 19.5 tons to 135.8 tons. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost, Donation Regional

Savor...Chicago at McCormick Place - West Building

 2018 In 2017, SAVOR…Chicago diverted a record 40.4 tons of food waste – a more than 85 percent increase over 2016. SAVOR…Chicago attributes this jump to its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and a large amount of consumer education. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost, Donation Regional

Electric Forest and Bright Beat

 2018 In 2017, Electric Forest donated 14,600 meals (7.35 tons) to Teen Challenge of Western Michigan, a foundation helping the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of thousands in need. Electric Forest also diverted 38.12 tons of organic material from entering landfills and incinerators - a nine-fold increase from 2016. The organic material included wasted food, front and back-of-house food scraps, certified compostable serviceware (29.58 tons), liquid bio-waste (non-water/non-grease liquid kitchen waste consisting of soups, sauces, juices, stocks, etc. (five tons), and used vegetable oil (3.54 tons). Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Donation, Compost Regional

Aramark at The University of Texas at San Antonio - Residential Dining Hall, Roadrunner Café

 2018 The Roadrunner Café reduced its food waste by 1.08 tons in 2017. To achieve this, the Café enforced “rigorous receiving” in which all receiving clerks check the quality of items upon arrival. The café's 2017 goal, “Save the Chickens,” targeted the reduction of turkey and chicken waste by focusing on trim waste and portion/serving sizes. The goal of reducing chicken waste by 50 percent was achieved at 88 percent and the goal of reducing turkey waste by 25 percent was achieved at 54 percent. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Food Waste Regional

Sprouts Farmers Market Store #126

 2018 In 2017, 83 tons went to feed hungry families and 18 tons went to feed livestock. The Food Rescue program’s established procedures allow the store to donate unmarketable, but still edible and nutritious food directly to those in the community who need it most. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Compost Regional

Haskell Indian Nations University

 2018 In 2017, Haskell Indian Nations University's compost operation, created in partnership with EPA Region 7, diverted 2,037 pounds of food waste from the landfill in 2017. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities, Tribal Government Compost Regional

Kansas State University

 2018 The university experienced a 16.3 percent increase in food recovered on campus from 2016 to 2017. The opening of a student-focused food pantry added an additional outlet for edible food items from campus entities. These efforts not only provide an environmental benefit, but a financial one as well. The diversion of 58 tons of inedible food waste, such as vegetable preparation scraps, from the landfill saved nearly $3,000 in landfill tipping fees in 2017, as well as provided rich organic matter for campus landscaping and gardens. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost, Donation Regional

Missouri Recycling Association

 2018 Missouri Recycling Association (MORA) began a deeper analysis into food waste and recovery after seeing the results of a Missouri Statewide Waste Composition Study of 2016 commissioned by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. That inspection of 22 Mo. landfills discovered that organics and food waste comprised over one-fourth of landfill materials, the largest landfill component. With that knowledge, MORA began a robust campaign, spreading the word about organic recycling opportunities. The Association also created an organics resource guide. Food Recovery Challenge Public Sector Compost Regional

Boulder County Jail

 2018 From 2015 to 2017, the Boulder County Jail made significant strides in its quest to achieve zero waste. In these two years, the jail achieved close to a 60 percent increase in the amount of composted material through its kitchen composting program. The facility’s full-service kitchen is largely operated by inmates and serves three meals daily to as many as 800 inmates. The jail’s protocol for composting back-of-the-house kitchen scraps and front-of-the-house uneaten food helped increase compostable food collection from 10.64 tons in 2015 to 15.68 tons in 2016 and 17.79 tons in 2017, an increase of almost 60 percent. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Compost Regional

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

 2018 In 2017, Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ) and its partners diverted 829 tons of wasted food from going to landfills. For example, the MT DEQ worked with Sunburst Unlimited, Inc. to collect wasted food from local grocers and food banks. Food Recovery Challenge State Government Compost, Anaerobic Digestion, Donation Regional

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

 2018 In 2017, Public Works launched its internal Scrape Your Plate food waste collection program to prevent food waste from ending up in landfills. In the same year, Public Works donated 320 pounds of surplus meals to local communities, sent 4,520 pounds of food waste to anaerobic digestion, and sent 100 pounds to worm bins. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Compost, Donation, Anaerobic Digestion Regional

EcoSet Consulting

 2018 EcoSet diverts roughly 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of wasted food annually through donation and composting. Since participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge, the amount of food that EcoSet has donated has increased from 1.45 tons in 2016 to 9.48 tons in 2017, a 553 percent increase. Food Recovery Challenge Small Business Compost, Donation Regional

168 Market: Store 806

 2018 168 Market Store 806’s sustainable management of food program focuses on anaerobic digestion. By sending its food waste to an anaerobic digester, the amount of food waste diverted from landfills more than doubled between 2016 and 2017 from 76 tons to 169 tons. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Anaerobic Digestion Regional

99 Ranch Market: Store 3

 2018 99 Ranch Market Store donates grocery and produce items, via Feeding America, that are nearing their best by dates. Through donations to feed hungry people and anaerobic digestion, the amount of food diverted from landfills doubled between 2016 and 2017. These food recovery practices have increased efficiency in the ordering process without additional costs. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers Anaerobic Digestion, Donation Regional

CenturyLink Field

 2018 In 2017, CenturyLink Field donated 6.99 tons of wholesome, surplus food to local food banks through the stadium’s food recovery program. The stadium diverts nearly 97 percent of wasted food from landfills, working with a local composting company to compost the food that cannot be donated. Additionally, the stadium purchases its food products from more than 50 local farmers, ranchers, and sustainable food purveyors. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Compost, Donation Regional

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

 2018 In 2017, the airport donated over 37,500 meals via its partnership with the Des Moines Area Food Bank. In the same year, airport tenants diverted 692 tons of food waste from landfills, saving $33,500 in disposal costs, along with an associated 106-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to environmental and financial benefits, the airport’s sustainable management of food actions strengthen relationships between the airport, its business partners, and local communities. Food Recovery Challenge   Compost, Donation Regional

Sprouts Farmers Market #176

 2021 In 2020, Sprouts Farmers Market #176 diverted food waste by 1,273 percent. This location’s food donation increased 13 times year over year. In the same year, Sprouts introduced zero waste scorecards, which allows locations to see how much food waste and recyclable materials they divert. This has been a game changer for Sprouts stores, and their landfill diversion efforts have increased. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers, Large Business Donation, Compost National

Moonflower Farms

 2021 The farm partnered with local Texas grocers who typically order produce from thousands of miles away. By purchasing from Moonflower Farms in Houston, the grocers eliminate thousands of pounds of transport emissions and reduce the average 10–15 percent loss (food waste) due to travel and handling. Food Recovery Challenge Food Manufacturing Water, Plastics, Food Waste National

Sodexo – GSMC Nutrition Svc

 2021 In 2020, Good Samaritan Medical Center's (GSMC) Nutrition Services Department reduced food waste by 25 percent, which equates to 6,290 pounds in prevented food waste. The team also saved around 5,242 meals, equivalent to preventing 20 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. The team finished the year by embracing GSMC’s “Good Sam Goes Green” initiative, beginning to implement composting, and beginning the transition from disposable kitchenware to compostable or recyclable serviceware. Food Recovery Challenge Medical and Healthcare Compost, Plastics National

Orange Coast College Recovery Kitchen

 2021 In 2020, Orange Coast College Recovery Kitchen (OCC) distributed 212,392 meals and recovered 609,541 pounds of surplus edible food that would otherwise go to landfills. In 2019, OCC began diverting organic waste from landfills to anaerobic digestion. This continued until 2021, when OCC began using a CityPod urban composter, which has an annual capacity of 82 metric tons of food waste. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation, Anaerobic Digestion National

Food Forward

 2021 Food Forward’s expanded Wholesale Produce Recovery program distributed 61 million pounds of produce in 2020—enough to meet the five-a-day fruit and vegetable needs of 150,000–160,000 people. The Sprout, an extension of the Produce Pit Shop offers another outlet for diverting this recovered produce, and by the end of 2020, 78 hunger relief organizations received over 1.5 million pounds of produce through The Sprout alone. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

University of Texas at Arlington

 2021 Dining Services has a Waste Not Program to eliminate and reduce production waste and expired food. In September 2020, Dining Services reduced over 790 pounds of waste, which saved over $1,493. University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) composts food waste from on-campus and off-campus dining services, coffee shops, and hospitals, as well as yard waste from campus grounds. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost National

Cherripick

 2021 While Cherripick app was unable to secure a grocery partner in 2020, it supported the recovery of over 500 pounds of fresh, edible food across nearly 50 retail store brands in many locations. 88 percent of the food was recovered within three days of its expiration date, showing that consumers are open to saving money and food from going to waste, even when the industry standard is to cull this food from shelves before consumers are willing to buy it. Food Recovery Challenge Small Business Food Waste National

Lovin’ Spoonfuls

 2021 Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Food Rescue Coordinators recovered more food in 2020 than at any point in the organization’s history: over four million pounds of perishable food (equivalent to over three million meals) for neighbors facing food insecurity. The top categories of foods recovered included: produce (over 42 percent), dairy (14 percent), baked goods (14 percent), and meat (11 percent). Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

Sprouts Farmers Market #1

 2020 Sprouts Farmers Market has a robust Food Rescue Program where stores donate edible food, that is not in retail condition to local food pantries and hunger relief agencies. In 2019, Sprouts Farmers Market #1 had a 2100 percent improvement in food waste diverted. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers, Large Business Donation National

Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School with Island Grown Schools

 2020 Students encouraged cafeteria staff to purchase silverware and washable plates, removed a water bottle vending machine and installed a refill station, and created a food waste pick-up area. In 2019, Martha's Vineyard Regional High School students and Island Grown Schools staff rescued more than 25,000 pounds of food waste from going to the landfill and sent it to be processed into compost. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Plastics National

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

 2020 All the kitchen staff are trained to capture pre-consumer and post-consumer waste along the patient tray line. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) also offers collection bins in its cafeterias. In 2019, BIDMC captured 127.7 tons of food to be sent to an anaerobic digester, donated 0.1 tons of food, and captured 8.40 tons of oil and grease for recycling. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization, Medical and Healthcare Compost, Anaerobic Digestion National

City of Philadelphia Department of Prisons

 2020 The City of Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) diverted over 555,685 pounds of wasted food to compost operations, which saved the city approximately $19,000 in landfill fees. The composted material was donated to community gardens and church groups, as well as returned to grounds for use in PDP’s orchard and greenhouses. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Donation, Compost National

Chipotle of Lawrence

 2020 Chipotle of Lawrence, N.Y. has been donating excess food to Rock and Wrap it Up! (RWU) for nearly five years. Chipotle Lawrence has developed a friendly relationship with RWU and is proud to be able to help the local community. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers Donation National

Wilton Public Schools

 2020 With help from Wilton Go Green, Wilton Public Schools (Wilton, Conn.) has developed individualized plans for each school to increase recycling, compost food scraps, and donate any uneaten food to those in need. In 2019, Wilton Public Schools composted an estimated 26,784 pounds of food. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Donation National

The Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio

 2020 The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) San Antonio diverts all food waste to composting facilities. The CIA also reduced food waste in its student dining services by serving small plates and individual portions of items instead of buffet-style family meal service. The small plates allow students to choose just what they would like to eat, versus having to take full plates of food when they only want one thing. This prevents waste before it happens by allowing dining staff to prepare and serve less food than is needed for buffet-style service.  Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost, Plastics National

Los Angeles County Public Works

 2020 Through co-digestion, 9.5 tons of food waste are converted into electricity and biomethane each year. The cafeteria kitchen also source reduces 340 pounds of leftover food and separates 1,200 pounds of food waste for composting each year. In 2019, through continual monitoring, Los Angeles County Public Works was able to better estimate actual food waste collection. It reduced the food waste collection service level, resulting in an annual savings of nearly $3,500. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Anaerobic Digestion, Compost National

Food Forward

 2020 In 2019, Food Forward recovered 25.5 million pounds of surplus fruits and vegetables from wholesale vendors, a 16 percent increase from the amount Food Forward recovered in 2018. This is equivalent to preventing 7,163 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Food Forward donated this produce directly to 55 agency partners, many of whom donated to hundreds of additional regional hunger relief partners. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

Food Rescue Partnership

 2020 The Food Rescue Partnership (FRP) is a coalition in the Quad Cities of Iowa and Ill. that promotes rescuing food for its best possible use to achieve the vision of a Quad Cities community dedicated to eliminating food waste. Through the collaborated efforts of its stakeholders and community partners, the FRP diverted more than 53,600 pounds of food from the landfill. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Food Waste National

Keene State College

 2019 In a year, Keene State College more than doubled the amount of food waste composted. The weight of compost collected increased from 41.76 tons in 2017 to 110.66 tons in 2018. The reduced cost for composting, compared to landfilling, saved the school $4,324. As a result, Keene State College expanded composting to other food service vendors in the Student Center beginning the summer of 2019. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost National

Signature Breads, Inc.

 2019 In 2018, Signature Breads processed over 3,000 tons of bread and dough into animal feed. Signature Breads worked with food banks and other local hunger relief organizations to find creative ways to donate excess bread. It donated over four tons of frozen bread to hunger relief organizations. Food Recovery Challenge Food Manufacturing, Small Business Donation National

Katherine Lee Bates Elementary School

 2019 Katherine Lee Bates Elementary School diverts unused liquids to an anaerobic digestion facility; donates unopened food to Bates' classrooms and the Wellesley Food Pantry; and recycles plastics, cardboard, aluminum, and paper. During 2018, per week, the school donated about 29 pounds of excess food and diverted about 84 pounds of liquid food waste from the trash. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Anaerobic Digestion, Donation, Paper, Plastics, Metal National

Captain's Galley Restaurant at Pickwick Landing State Park

 2019 Some of the most successful food reduction methods the restaurant has implemented include regular waste tracking and prep planning, developing menu specials to utilize food close to the end of its shelf life, and consistent monitoring and coaching of staff to improve work processes to achieve better food waste control. In 2018, with 73,568 visitors, the restaurant was able to divert 22 tons of food waste from landfills through participation in the Food Recovery Challenge: 1.5 tons through diversion and recovery and 20.5 tons through on-site composting. Food Recovery Challenge State Government, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost National

Savor...Chicago at McCormick Place - South Building

 2019 Savor deepened its relationship with the Resource Center. This partnership allowed the Savor…Chicago at McCormick Place South Building to increase composting and donation by 166 percent from 2017 to 2018. McCormick Place achieved an 89 percent diversion rate for all four of its buildings. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Compost, Donation National

MGM Resorts International - Bellagio Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

 2019 In 2018, the Bellagio diverted over 3,700 tons of food waste from landfills, 26 percent more than in 2017. Most of this food waste, over 2,000 tons, was comprised of food scraps that were sent to a local pig farm. The second largest volume, over 1,400 tons, was brown and yellow grease that was collected and converted into biofuel. Food Recovery Challenge Hospitality, Very Business Donation National

Los Angeles (LA) County Department of Public Works

 2019 LA County Public Works collaborated with LA County Sanitation Districts to use existing anaerobic digestion infrastructure to convert 13,700 pounds of food waste to electricity. Worm composting bins diverted an additional 1,200 pounds of food waste and another 340 pounds were source reduced by improved planning by kitchen staff. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Anaerobic Digestion, Compost National

ProduceGood

 2019 With 153,967 pounds of excess produce rescued in 2018 from 90 growers (farms and residential orchards), ProduceGood diverted 76.98 tons of edible fruits and vegetables from landfill. Through the efforts of 600 volunteers participating in 260 food recovery events from over 90 growers, ProduceGood upcycled 461,901 servings of nutritious produce to food system to benefit the food insecure of San Diego or for zero-waste processing. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

Sprouts Farmers Market Store #407

 2019 Sprouts Farmers Market is committed to eliminating food waste. In 2018, Sprouts Farmers Market store #407 in Alhambra, Calif. donated 59 tons of its surplus food to support local families in need. The food would have otherwise gone to a landfill. The store also composted an estimated 57 tons of food scraps, helping to recycle nutrients and avoid landfill emissions. Store #407’s combined 2018 food donation and food scraps composting efforts were 222 percent greater than they were in 2017. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers, Large Business Compost, Donation National

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

 2019 Tenn. Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) led by example. It enrolled five of its resort state park restaurants in the Food Recovery Challenge. In 2018, those five parks reduced, recovered, and diverted 178,972 pounds of food through composting, reuse, or donation of food. TDEC office locations across the state continued the employee-led organics collection programs after a successful pilot year. Food Recovery Challenge State Government, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost, Donation National

Firekeepers Casino Hotel

 2019 FireKeepers purchased blast chillers to reclaim food from its buffet and banquet events, as the food had been prepared, but not served. At the end of an event or serving, the untouched food is blast chilled to quickly bring down the temperature to a safe temperature, and the food is then repackaged and distributed to those in need in the community. The amount of food diverted through FireKeepers donation efforts in 2018 totaled 4.02 tons. That number continues to rise through employee education and awareness. Food Recovery Challenge Hospitality, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Donation National

Wylie Independent School District (ISD) Harrison Intermediate School

 2019 Harrison Intermediate School reduced its food waste in 2018 by 6,377 pounds using composting, along with kitchen inventory and menu management. Due to a strong student-led effort at the school, the program continues to be a viable method to divert food and liquid wastes and generate advocacy for sustainable practices. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost National

Wylie ISD Birmingham Elementary

 2019 Three approaches to source reduction at Birmingham Elementary School: share table, menu planning, and student education resulted in a reduction of post-consumption food waste by 7,830 pounds in 2018. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Food Waste National

Windward Zero Waste School Hui

 2019 From 2017 to 2018, Windward Zero Waste School Hui's food waste diversion increased from 62,198 pounds (31.1 tons) to 85,076 pounds (42.5 tons), and it was able to add two new schools to the program. These schools saw 100 percent food waste recovery on day one of the program, thanks to its scalable, efficient, and innovative protocol. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost National

Los Angeles (LA) County Department of Public Health

 2019 In response to rising interest in sustainability and state organic waste reduction mandates in 2018, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, created and provided trainings to 483 LA County health inspectors, the LA County Commission on Government Services, 60 employees of a waste hauler, and staff from one school district (15 individuals). Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Food Waste National

Sprouts Farmers Markets: 256 Tustin

 2018 In 2017, Sprouts Farmers Market eStore #256 in Tustin, Calif. diverted 57 tons of food to support local families in need. That food would have otherwise gone to waste. The store also composted an estimated 156 tons of food waste, helping to recycle nutrients and avoid landfill emissions. As a company, in 2017, Sprouts reached a diversion rate of 55 percent nationally and has committed to a 90 percent diversion rate by 2020. Food Recovery Challenge Grocers, Large Business Donation, Compost National

California State University, Northridge

 2018 Over 267 tons of pre- and post-consumer food waste on campus have been collected and diverted from the landfills. Working with the California State University, Northridge Food Recovery Network, over 16,000 pounds of food on campus have been recovered and donated to local non-profit organizations. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Donation, Compost National

Shawnee Mission School District - Christa McAuliffe Elementary School

 2018 Through the efforts of the head custodian, the school improved its recycling and composting equipment and signage during the 2017-2018 school year and saw a great improvement in its recovery efforts from 5,625 pounds of food waste composted during the 2015-2016 school year to 11,875 pounds composted in calendar year 2017. Often, up to 70 percent of cafeteria waste was diverted from the landfill and recycled or turned into compost that the Shawnee Mission District school gardens used in growing food. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Plastics National

Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field

 2018 In 2017, the Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field donated 6,465 pounds of surplus food to various local food banks in Seattle such as The Salvation Army. This is in addition to the 758 tons of food waste composted in 2017, equating to a 96 percent diversion rate. Also, produce from Safeco Field’s Urban Garden was used in various menus at the ballpark to promote the concept of Field/Farm to Table. Food Recovery Challenge Sports and Entertainment Venues Donation, Compost National

MGM Resorts International - Bellagio Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

 2018 From 2007 to 2017, MGM Resorts International repurposed over 120,000 tons of food waste to pig farms where it was turned into feed for livestock. In 2017, the Bellagio Hotel and Casino Las Vegas diverted 1,904 tons of food waste to pig farms, a 33 percent increase from 2016, and a 378 percent increase from 2015. Food Recovery Challenge Hospitality, Very Business Donation National

City of Philadelphia Department of Prisons

 2018 In 2017, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) collected approximately 44.34 tons of food waste from two of its facilities - the Riverside Correctional Facility and House of Corrections Facilities. The food waste was separated and processed into compost at the PDP, saving the city an average of $28,000 per year in landfill fees. Food Recovery Challenge Local Government Donation, Compost National

ProduceGood

 2018 In 2017, ProduceGood rescued 86,000 pounds of food, which was donated as 258,000 fresh produce servings for individuals in need. Through 176 harvesting events in 2017, ProduceGood diverted 43 tons of food from the landfill and avoided 32 tons of greenhouse gases. This reduction in waste converted what was otherwise unwanted food into fresh produce to benefit the 500,000 food-insecure San Diegans. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

The Forge Restaurant at Montgomery Bell State Park

 2018 The park receives over 900,000 visitors a year and diverted 57 tons of food waste in 2017 (with over 47 tons diverted by the restaurant) by source reduction, donation, and composting efforts, thus saving the park approximately $4,000 due to less frequent trash pickups and less tonnage per pickup. Food Recovery Challenge State Government, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost, Donation, Purchasing National

University of Texas at Arlington

 2018 In 2017, The University of Texas (UT) at Arlington implemented an on-campus composting program which collects pre-consumer food waste from campus. 89,352 pounds of compostable material were collected from UT Arlington kitchens in 2017. Food Recovery Challenge Colleges and Universities Compost, Donation National

Food Forward

 2018 In 2017, Food Forward’s Wholesale Produce Recovery program rescued 17.2 million pounds of perfectly edible fresh fruits and vegetables otherwise destined for landfill, a 25% increase over 2016. This growth allowed the launch of a new model of fruit and vegetable distribution directly to clients – the produce “pop-up.” Over the course of 2017, Food Forward recovered and donated over 300,000 pounds of surplus produce to those in need through this innovative model, free of charge. Food Recovery Challenge Nonprofit Organization Donation National

Andover Public Schools - Green Schools Andover

 2018 In 2017, ten Andover, Mass. public schools diverted 226 tons of food from the local incinerator with 217 tons of food waste diverted to compost, and nine tons of food recovered by share tables and donated to local non-profit organizations. Working with seven schools in neighboring North Andover public schools, 19 tons of food were also rescued. Food Recovery Challenge School or School District Compost, Donation National

Sodexo

 2018 As a food service provider and endorser of EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge, Sodexo has committed to eliminating avoidable waste by 2025. Through partnerships with the Food Recovery Network, The Campus Kitchens Project, and hundreds of local anti-hunger partners, Sodexo sites recovered 944,264 pounds of surplus food in 2017. Food Recovery Challenge Restaurants and Food Service Providers, Very Business Donation National

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

 2018 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) registered five of its resort state park restaurants in the Food Recovery Challenge. After the first year participating in the Challenge, TDEC's five parks experienced over $4,000 in cost savings and diverted 91,394 pounds of food waste through composting and 10,176 pounds of recovered food through reuse or donation. Food Recovery Challenge State Government, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Compost, Donation National

Ombligo, Inc.

 2021 In 2020, the company’s recycling operations for cardboard, mixed paper, wood, and other recyclables reduced carbon emissions by 35.2 MTCO2E when compared to landfilling. This is a 17 percent increase from Ombligo’s 2019 figure and is equivalent to conserving 3,971 gallons of gas or taking 7.6 passenger cars off the road for one year. WasteWise Small Business Electronics, Paper Regional

ECOS: New Jersey

 2021 In 2020, the Parsippany, N.J. facility diverted 98.3 percent of its waste from landfills. It recycled over 127 tons of materials and reused or returned over 172 tons of material. The facility also donated 4.5 tons of unused or unmarketable products to local non-profit organizations. The zero waste efforts of rethinking, reducing, reusing, and recycling saved the N.J. facility over $35,000 in waste disposal costs in 2020. WasteWise Manufacturing, Small Business Waste, Paper, Compost Regional

Kohl’s

 2021 In 2020, Kohl’s achieved an 85 percent diversion rate through multiple initiatives, including plastic and cardboard recycling, paperless billing, and beauty product and fabric scrap repurposing. Kohl’s recycled over 110,000 tons of material, including more than four million pounds of plastic and 199 million pounds of cardboard. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Plastics, Paper, Textiles Regional

Steelcase

 2021 In November 2020, Steelcase, a furniture manufacturer, implemented a new scrap team at its Kentwood facility. Alongside this initiative, Steelcase moved its scrap tracking system from a paper system to an online tracking data set, which allows for more accountability. These efforts have helped Steelcase stay on track with its 25 percent scrap reduction goal for FY2019. WasteWise Manufacturing, Large Business Paper, Waste, Plastics, Textiles Regional

ECOS: Illinois

 2021 In 2020, the Addison, Ill. facility diverted 97.7 percent of its waste from landfills. It recycled over 228 tons of materials and reused or returned over 114 tons of material. It also donated 16 tons of unused or unmarketable product to local non-profit organizations. ECOS’ zero waste efforts of rethinking, reducing, reusing, and recycling saved the Ill. facility over $40,000 in waste disposal costs. WasteWise Manufacturing, Small Business Waste, Paper, Compost Regional

Owens PLLC

 2021 The company saw an extreme decrease in its use of materials, including plastic, boxes, and paper supplies. Owens PLLC staff continue to work from home, and the company has transitioned many of its processes and paperwork to an electronic format, saving resources. Some unexpected savings even occurred from paying bills online instead of using paper checks. WasteWise Small Business Plastics, Paper Regional

Virco Manufacturing Corporation

 2021 During 2019 and 2020, Virco diverted over 6,400 tons of potential waste from the landfill. Waste management policies, community involvement, and an environmentally focused corporate mindset are essential for a waste prevention and recycling program’s success. The Take-Back Program, which started in 2002 with the purpose of taking back, recycling, and repurposing furniture manufactured by the company or its competitors, flourished in 2019 as Virco donated 400 tons of furniture to a local flea market, financially distressed school districts, an addiction recovery home, and Goodwill. In 2020, Virco sustained its efforts by donating 65 tons of furniture. WasteWise Manufacturing, Mid-Size Business Textiles, Paper, Waste Regional

Daikin Texas Technology Park

 2021 Daikin Texas Technology Park and Quietflex, Daikin group companies, pack and deliver supplies in returnable metal containers. This project reduced 180 tons of wood pallets and 120 tons of cardboard in 2020. WasteWise Manufacturing Metal, Paper, Plastics, Waste Regional

Northern Natural Gas

 2021 In 2020, Northern Natural Gas diverted more than 2.7 million pounds of material from landfills. This total includes large-scale construction projects that recycled more than 888 tons of scrap metal, as well as office settings that recycled 12.8 tons of paper. Employees reused or recycled approximately 80,000 gallons of used oil, 17,823 gallons of glycol, and 4.88 tons of batteries. WasteWise   Energy, Transportation, Paper, Plastics, Metal, Waste, Batteries Regional

ECOS: California

 2021 In 2020, the Cypress, Calif. facility diverted 97.8 percent of its waste from landfills. It recycled over 106 tons of materials, and reused or returned over 100 tons of material. It also donated 4.9 tons of unused or unmarketable product to local non-profit organizations. ECOS’ zero waste efforts of rethinking, reducing, reusing, and recycling saved the Calif. facility over $18,000 in waste disposal costs. WasteWise Manufacturing, Small Business Waste, Paper, Compost Regional

Hypertherm, Inc.

 2020 In 2019, Hypertherm began to focus its internal and external processes to promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals throughout the organization. These processes allowed Hypertherm to divert 2,532 metric tons of refuse from landfills, saving an estimated 1,407 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Hypertherm’s packaging engineers created innovative solutions to ensure 100 percent of outbound packaging is recyclable. WasteWise Manufacturing, Mid-Size Business Waste Regional

Impact Environmental

 2020 In 2019, Impact Environmental’s Reuse and Recovery Center in Lyndhurst, N.J., accepted over 150,000 tons of clean soil, 85,000 tons of concrete, and 341,000 tons of aggregate to manufacture recycled building products. These products are cost-effective alternatives to the natural resources they replace. WasteWise Mid-Size Business Construction and Demolition Regional

Live Nation - PNC Bank Arts Center

 2020 The sustainability department is equipped with a small, but dedicated team of zero waste captains who, along with the Center’s sustainability coordinator, sort show-day waste and ensure the materials generated are properly managed. Despite not being able to compost, PNC Bank Arts Center diverted an average of 7,000 pounds of waste per show, with a season spanning several months and 34 shows. Since the venue implemented water refill stations and started encouraging crew members to bring reusable water bottles, the venue has been able to offset over 21,000 water bottles. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues Construction and Demolition, Plastics, Waste Regional

Evelyn Hill, Inc.

 2020 The company diverted 97.6 percent (over 317 tons) of its waste from landfills. Evelyn Hill’s biggest accomplishment in 2019 was the 44 percent decrease in the amount of landfill waste, from 14.29 tons in 2018 to only 7.94 tons in 2019. WasteWise Small Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers, Sports and Entertainment Venues Paper, Plastics, Glass, Compost, Energy Regional

BB&T Pavilion

 2020 In 2019, BB&T Pavilion diverted nearly 60 percent of its internal venue waste away from landfills. The Pavilion produced almost 100 tons of recyclable waste, compared to roughly 77 tons of landfill waste, increasing its diversion rate by nearly 10 percent from the previous year. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues Plastics, Compost, Waste Regional

Live Nation - Blossom Music Center

 2020 By the end of the 2019 season, Blossom Music Center diverted over 1.75 million pounds of waste away from landfills through composting, recycling, and donation efforts. Thanks to the zero waste captains, the venue achieved a show-day diversion rate of 67 percent in 2019, a 19 percent increase from the season prior and one of the highest diversion rates of any Live Nation venue. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues Plastics, Donation, Waste Regional

Daikin Texas Technology Park

 2020 In 2019, Daikin Texas Technology Park and Quietflex, a Daikin group company, implemented a returnable container system. The companies began packaging and delivering supplies in returnable metal containers. This project reduced 46.5 tons of wood pallets and 63 tons of cardboard in 2019. WasteWise Manufacturing Metal, Paper, Plastics, Waste Regional

Hy-Vee Cherokee Distribution Center

 2020 In FY2019, Hy-Vee diverted 31.57 million pounds of waste, including 22.47 million pounds of wood pallets, 701,956 pounds of cardboard, 687,837 pounds of plastic, and 132,144 pounds of donated product. The overall diversion rate was 98.99 percent. WasteWise   Metal, Paper, Textiles, Donation, Waste, Batteries Regional

Northern Natural Gas

 2020 In 2020, Northern Natural Gas diverted more than 2.7 million pounds of material from landfills. This total includes large-scale construction projects that recycled more than 888 tons of scrap metal, as well as office settings that recycled 12.8 tons of paper. Employees recycled or reused approximately 80,000 gallons of used oil, 17,823 gallons of glycol, and 4.88 tons of batteries. WasteWise   Energy, Transportation, Paper, Plastics, Metal, Waste, Batteries Regional

Live Nation - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, Missouri

 2020 In 2019, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre achieved a waste diversion rate of 60 percent and donated 1,050 pounds of textiles. The venue also has over 15 staff members devoted to waste diversion and green initiatives. The previous year, Live Nation removed six million plastic straws from venues and installed free water refill stations, which fans used over 175,000 times, reducing single-use plastic water bottles. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues Plastics, Waste, Compost, Textiles Regional

Laddey Clark & Ryan, LLP

 2019 In 2018, the law firm diverted over 11 tons of waste from the landfill. The firm recycles paper and paper products, electronic equipment, ink cartridges, and bottles, and utilizes energy-efficient lightbulbs. In recent years, Laddey Clark & Ryan began purchasing filtered water for its office to avoid use of single-use plastic bottles and stopped using disposable cups. WasteWise Mid-Size Business Paper, Electronics, Waste, Plastics Regional

Mayo Performing Arts Center

 2019 In 2018, the arts center diverted ten tons of waste from the landfill. The center worked with the Morris County, N.J. Recycling Center to recycle its lumber and concrete from construction projects, along with its used fluorescent bulbs and batteries. It donated two tons of used electronics, computers, and telephones to the Morristown Recycling Center. The Mayo Performing Arts Center estimates a savings of $25,000 as a result of these diversion activities. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues Construction and Demolition, Waste, Plastics, Electronics, Paper, Batteries Regional

Raritan Valley Community College

 2019 In 2018, Raritan Valley Community College recycled over 100 tons of materials and composted over seven tons of organics, tripling the college’s 2017 diversion numbers. As a result of deploying new office recycling bins, waste management stations, and informational bin signs, campus recycling increased five-fold. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Compost, Paper, Waste, Electronics, Plastics, Batteries Regional

Cummins, Inc.'s Jamestown Engine Plant

 2019 In 2018, the plant diverted 16,202.34 tons of materials from the landfill. The facility is actively engaged in creating a comprehensive Zero Waste program by focusing on product packaging reduction and the use of returnable packaging. The Jamestown Engine Plant's Environmental Champion Team works closely with its various suppliers and waste vendors to ensure strict compliance to its standards and to drive further improvements in recycling and waste minimization. WasteWise Manufacturing, Mid-Size Business Waste, Electronics, Batteries Regional

DC Safety Sales Company

 2019 In 2018, DC Safety Sales Company recycled 72 tons of corrugated cartons, and over five tons of office paper waste, with a total of over 78 tons of waste diverted from the landfill. WasteWise Medical and Healthcare, Small Business Paper Regional

Evelyn Hill, Inc.

 2019 In 2018, Evelyn Hill had a record diversion rate, diverting up to 97.3 percent of its trash (excluding restroom trash) generated by the concessioner and the 4.2 million visitors who come to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Monument. The concessioner diverted 398 tons through prevention, donation, and composting actions. Compost was the largest category of waste diverted, comprising approximately 46 percent of the total waste. WasteWise Small Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers, Sports and Entertainment Venues Paper, Plastics, Glass, Anaerobic Digestion, Compost, Energy Regional

Just Salad LLC

 2019 In 2018, as a result of its Reusable Bowl program, the restaurant saved 38 tons of plastic. Under this program, guests can purchase a Reusable Bowl for $1 and get a free topping, (like avocado) with every reuse. The Reusable Bowl program serves as both a restaurant loyalty program and a waste diversion initiative. WasteWise Mid-Size Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Plastics Regional

University of Albany, State University of New York

 2019 In 2019, students exhibited at over 20 events to teach their peers about which common items should be recycled, landfilled, or composted, reaching hundreds of campus members. Since instituting a recycling program in 2005, the university has worked to increase the variety and tonnage of items it diverts from the landfill. In 2018, it diverted 2,225 tons of waste. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Waste, Compost Regional

Kohl's

 2019 In 2018, Kohl’s achieved an 83 percent diversion rate, recycling more than 130,000 tons of material, including more than seven million pounds of plastic film and 230 million pounds of cardboard. The company has a solid waste management policy which governs recycling practices at stores and corporate facilities. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Plastics, Paper, Textiles Regional

Owens PLLC

 2019 In 2018, the law firm ramped up its efforts to significantly decrease its use of paper. It reduced paper usage by approximately 25 percent and reduced overall waste by an estimated 90 percent. Owens PLLC completed a review of documents to determine what required paper copies and what could be converted to digital copies. After refining the documentation process, the firm significantly decreased its use of paper which resulted in a cost saving and a decreased need for recycling. WasteWise Small Business Paper Regional

Earth Friendly Products

 2019 In 2018, the manufacturing company achieved a 98 percent waste diversion rate, and uses one small trash container per facility per week. Its Calif. manufacturing facility prevented 105 tons of waste, recycled 125 tons of materials, donated 12 tons of products, and composted four tons of organic materials. WasteWise Mid-Size Business, Manufacturing Waste, Compost Regional

Caesars Entertainment

 2019 In 2018, Caesars Entertainment achieved an overall enterprise diversion rate of 49.4 percent, nearly eclipsing its 2020 goal. Also in 2018, 10 resort properties achieved the gaming hotel and casino company’s 2020 target diversion rate, which included recycling 68,700 tons of municipal solid materials. Since 2012, nearly 400,000 tons of materials have been diverted from Caesars’ properties, saving millions of dollars in disposal fees and preventing methane emissions. WasteWise Sports and Entertainment Venues, Large Business, Hospitality Compost, Electronics, Waste Regional

Ravitz Family Markets

 2018 Ravitz Family Markets is a chain of six family-owned supermarkets in N.J. In 2017, each store increased its waste diversion by five percent or more compared to 2016. Additionally, Ravitz Family Markets has a community-friendly way of avoiding wasting fruit. Stores maintain baskets containing bananas and pears that are either bruised or too ripe for sale that anyone can take for free. WasteWise Small Business, Grocers Donation, Compost, Paper, Waste Regional

Cummins, Inc.'s Jamestown Engine Plant

 2018 In 2017, the Jamestown Engine Plant facility diverted up to 11,848 tons of materials. The Jamestown facility is actively engaged in creating a comprehensive Zero Waste program by focusing on product packaging reduction and the use of returnable packaging. The plant’s Environmental Champion Team works very closely with its suppliers and waste vendors to ensure strict compliance to its standards and to drive further improvements in recycling and waste minimization. WasteWise Manufacturing, Mid-Size Business Waste, Electronics, Batteries Regional

Curbell, Inc.

 2018 Curbell and its two core businesses, Curbell Plastics and Curbell Medical, together embarked on major waste reduction initiatives in 2017. For example, Curbell introduced single-stream recycling at its two Orchard Park, N.Y. facilities, including its corporate headquarters, which is already a zero-landfill facility. The implementation of single-stream recycling helped Curbell divert over 2.2 million pounds of waste from landfills in 2017, generating more than $130,000 in profits. WasteWise Manufacturing, Medical and Healthcare, Mid-Size Business Waste, Plastics, Paper, Metal Regional

Evelyn Hill, Inc.

 2018 Evelyn Hill Inc. has been involved in zero waste longer than any other concessioner and is a leader in the National Park Service for its zero-waste program. In 2017, the concessioner diverted over 366 tons of food scraps, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum from the landfill. Evelyn Hill accomplished this by reviewing all of the items it received to ensure they all are recyclable or compostable. To meet this goal, hundreds of products have been substituted with more sustainable alternatives. The actual amount of garbage going to landfill per day is less than one garbage tote. WasteWise Small Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers, Sports and Entertainment Venues Paper, Plastics, Glass, Anaerobic Digestion, Compost, Energy, Batteries Regional

Ombligo, Inc.

 2018 In 2017, Ombligo expanded its work space and its business, which can add to waste. But, through an increased focus on sorting and organizing its waste, Ombligo minimized its landfill disposal and more than tripled its recycling, diverting 6.5 tons, or 13,000 pounds, from landfills. WasteWise Small Business Electronics Regional

The Kroger Company

 2018 In 2018, Kroger locations across the country rescued 100 million pounds of food through its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue program. Coupled with $192 million in funds directed to help end hunger, Kroger donated a total of 316 million meals, which was enough to feed 80,000 people three meals a day for an entire year. In 2018, Kroger also announced its plans to eliminate single-use plastic bags from its stores by 2025. WasteWise Very Business, Grocers Food Waste, Plastics Regional

Evergreen Credit Union

 2018 In 2017, the credit union achieved zero waste status through recycling, on- and off-site composting, and reuse. It also diverted 1,733 pounds of waste from landfills through these initiatives. In partnership with a local farm, Evergreen Credit Union also composted 324 pounds of materials, including bathroom hand towels. WasteWise Small Business Energy, Water, Waste, Compost, Plastics, Paper Regional

Faultless Brands

 2018 In 2017, Faultless collected over 167 tons of waste. Only 1.68 percent of the waste was sent to landfills. The company saved $21,556 as a result of rebates, tonnage savings, and avoiding hauling and container expenses. In addition, diversion of the wastes from landfills resulted in a greenhouse gas savings of 509 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (MTCO2E) as calculated using EPA’s Waste Reduction Model. This is equivalent to taking 108 passenger vehicles off the road for one year. WasteWise Manufacturing, Small Business Waste Regional

Northern Natural Gas

 2018 In 2017, Northern Natural Gas diverted more than 1.97 million pounds of material from landfills for recycling or other types of reuse. In addition to recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastic and other typical materials in office and warehouse environments, Northern’s recycling efforts extend across its pipeline system and include the recycling of used oil, glycol and solvents. Northern also recycles steel piping that is removed during maintenance and construction projects. WasteWise   Energy, Transportation, Paper, Plastics, Metal, Waste Regional
Walgreens Boots Alliance 2021 Walgreens Boots Alliance achieved a waste diversion rate over 90 percent, and then expanded the program to other distribution centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. These 18 facilities have maintained a 90 percent waste diversion rate for over three years, achieving 93 percent in the fourth year of the program. In 2020, the Walgreens supply chain recycled over 73,000 tons of materials. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Metal, Paper, Plastic National
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation 2021 In 2020, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation diverted over 3,170 tons of waste. It had to adapt to many challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a new administration. The company was uncertain how its recycling program would handle the influx of masks, barriers, and sanitary wipes, but it continued to focus on the waste streams and partnerships it had already established. WasteWise Large Business, Manufacturing Metal, Glass, Plastic National
Commonwealth Edison 2021 In 2020, ComEd expanded its pilot compost program to a fourth site and trialed dumpster cameras at two sites to learn about improvement opportunities for recycling, as well as right-sizing and scheduling dumpster services. ComEd’s office recycling program alone saved approximately 7.66 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, 210,338 gallons of oil, 12.04 million gallons of water, 6,019 cubic yards of landfill airspace, 20,637 mature trees, and accounted for 5,469 metric tons of total greenhouse gas reduction (the equivalent to 620,813 gallons of gas saved or 1,002 passenger cars not driven). WasteWise Large Business Electronics, Metal, Water, Energy, Waste National
ECOS 2021 In 2020, the Lacey, Wash. facility diverted 98 percent of its waste from landfills. It recycled over 98 tons of materials and reused or returned over 570 tons of material. ECOS’ zero waste efforts of rethinking, reducing, reusing, and recycling saved the company over $68,000 in waste disposal costs. WasteWise Small Business, Manufacturing Waste, Paper National
Delaware River and Bay Authority 2021 In 2020, the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA) reduced various waste streams and recycled over four million pounds of waste at sites and projects. DRBA increased the amount of waste material they recycle to 25 unique commodities, including aluminum, asphalt, lead acid and NiCad batteries, cardboard, concrete, e-waste electronics, oil filters, parts washer fluids, polycarbonate plastic, used cooking oil, aerosol cans, shredded paper, used motor oil, scrap metal, soil, spent lamps, tires, wood pallets, and vegetative waste. WasteWise State Government Waste, Paper, Plastic, Electronics, Batteries National
City of Fort Lauderdale 2021 In 2020, the city of Fort Lauderdale collected nearly 1,000 electronic items, such as televisions, computers, monitors, and communication devices, totaling approximately 14,000 pounds of e-waste. This was a 14 percent increase from the previous year. WasteWise Local Government Electronics, Batteries National
Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut 2021 In 2020, the casinos and hotels shut down for a few months, reducing the amount of food waste to a third (258 tons) of the amount the venue normally donated to a nearby piggery. However, the amount of frozen food donations Mohegan Sun (a lodging, entertainment, shopping, restaurant, meeting, and gaming destination) made to numerous charities, food pantries, and employees soared beyond expectations. Roughly 10,000 meals were donated to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London, Conn., which assists more than 60 food pantries in the region. WasteWise Tribal Government Donation National
Central Michigan University 2021 In 2020, Central Michigan University diverted 207.64 tons of organics from landfills, and later, placed second in the 2021 Campus Race to Zero Waste composting category. A 2020 survey, taken by 572 on-campus students, highlighted an increased interest in sustainability. The Sustainability Pledge took that one step further, as 500 respondents have committed to reducing their footprint and engaging with sustainable best practices. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Compost, Electronics National
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 2021 A cross-departmental team collaborated to develop a reprocessing system for single-use N95 masks without altering their integrity and protective ability. The medical center captured over 18,000 masks, with 12,516 fully reprocessed and ready for redistribution. This is equivalent to 5,006 pounds of waste diverted. WasteWise Nonprofit Organization, Medical and Healthcare Waste National

Kohl's

 2020 In 2019, Kohl’s achieved an 84 percent waste diversion rate through multiple initiatives, including plastic and cardboard recycling, paperless billing, and beauty product and fabric scrap repurposing. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Waste, Plastic, Paper National

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation

 2020 Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) has worked diligently to ensure that its commitment to waste reduction has been engrained in the company’s culture. Business boomed in 2019, which meant FCCC needed to find a better way to recycle the influx of material. With the help of an on-site services group, the company maintained its monthly goal of a 95 percent recycling rate. In 2019, FCCC diverted over 3,587 tons of material. WasteWise Large Business, Manufacturing Waste National

iThink Financial Amphitheatre

 2020 With a capacity of 18,000 guests, the venue diverted 61 percent of its waste from landfills during the 2019 season, diverting 166,910 pounds of recyclable materials from 29 shows. WasteWise Mid-Size Business, Sports and Entertainment Venues Waste, Plastic National

Live Nation - PNC Music Pavilion

 2020 In 2019, PNC Music Pavilion recycled over 140,000 pounds and composted over 91,000 pounds. The music venue strives to incorporate sustainability into all areas of its operations. It trained all staff on the sustainability program during orientations. WasteWise Mid-Size Business, Sports and Entertainment Venues Waste, Compost, Plastic National

Ombligo, Inc.

 2020 Ombligo’s sustainability mission extends beyond warehouse walls. In 2019, the company’s recycling operations for cardboard, mixed paper, wood, and other recyclables reduced carbon emissions by 30.3 MTCO2E when compared to landfilling, which is equivalent to the electricity needed to power over five homes for one year. WasteWise Small Business Electronics National

Central Michigan University

 2020 From the kitchens and residential halls to offices and facilities, every Central Michigan University (CMU) community member learns about waste reduction. CMU has a dual stream recycling program for paper, plastic, metal, fiber, and glass. CMU’s waste reduction efforts are largely defined by zero waste kitchens and cafeterias that diverted 331.02 tons of organic material from landfills in 2019. In the same year, CMU recycled 417.54 tons of paper and plastic and 69.18 tons of metal. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Compost, Paper, Plastic National

City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management

 2020 The City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management recycles five items in its current program: scrap metal, used oil, used tires, mixed recyclables, and antifreeze. In 2019, Central Fleet Management recycled 311,020 pounds of scrap metal, mixed recyclables, and tires, as well as 5,750 gallons of used oil and antifreeze. WasteWise Local Government Metal, Transportation, Waste National

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

 2020 From 2019 to 2020, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) increased its waste diversion rate from 46 percent to 57 percent. This was the result of its efforts to decrease waste, increase donations of medical supplies and equipment, and ensure that construction and demolition debris are properly managed and recycled. BIDMC’s waste prevention and recycling activities have saved the medical center over $200,000 in 2019 and 2020. WasteWise Nonprofit Organization, Medical and Healthcare Waste, Construction and Demolition National

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

 2020 Adams 12 Five Star Schools grew its cafeteria composting program from five schools at the start of the 2018–2019 school year to nine schools at the end of the 2019–2020 school year. The district-wide diversion rate increased from 17.8 percent in 2018 to 21.3 percent in 2019. The district also reduced its total municipal and hard-to-recycle waste streams from 2,960.4 tons in 2018 to 2,701.6 tons in 2019. This reflects a nearly 15 percent reduction in total waste going to the landfill, a seven percent increase in recycling tonnage, and nearly doubling of compost tonnage. WasteWise School or School District Compost, Batteries, Waste, Metal, Electronics National

CenturyLink Field

 2019 In 2018, CenturyLink Field hosted two million guests on 185 event days and diverted 94 percent of its waste (1,167 tons) from going into the landfill through reuse, recycling, and composting. The waste diverted included 5.83 tons of food donated to Pacific Northwest hunger relief organizations, 3.34 tons of items donated to Goodwill Industries, 8.74 tons of metal scrap recycled locally, and 518.35 tons of organic material (wasted food and compostable serviceware) composted. WasteWise Very Business, Sports and Entertainment Venues Waste, Compost, Donation National

L Brands, Inc.

 2019 In 2018, L Brands accomplished a large number of significant reuse and recycling actions. The company diverted waste to create new products or facilitate reuse by sending 41,000 pounds of outdated electronics for refurbishment and reuse, working with a vendor partner to convert 201,000 pounds of unusable liquid soap product into a commercial floor cleaner, and partnering with a vendor to recondition and reuse more than 5.5 million pounds of wooden pallets. The retailer continued to recycle large amounts of materials, including 315,000 pounds of alcohol recovered from alcohol-containing waste, 587,000 pounds of metal from capital projects, and 22 million pounds of corrugated cardboard and paper from its supply chain and operations activities. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Waste, Electronics, Metal, Paper National

Rooms To Go

 2019 In 2018, Rooms To Go entered its 28th year of recycling and sustainability. It prevented over 31,932 tons of material from entering landfills and saved $2,106,538 in avoided landfill fees. Since its inception, Rooms To Go has kept over 369,000 tons of material from hitting landfills in over five states. The corporation has always had a “top down” philosophy with its recycling program and every associate takes pride in the recycling efforts. WasteWise Large Business, Retailers Plastic, Batteries National

Peace Dining Corporation

 2019 In 2018, Peace Dining Corporation (PDC) achieved a 73 percent waste diversion rate. It diverted 105 tons of waste from the landfill by preventing 20 tons (14 percent) of corrugated cardboard and wood pallets from being generated in the first place and recycling 85 tons of mixed recyclables and mixed organics (59 percent). The company also implemented bio-digester technology at its central kitchen to manage its organic waste and no longer sends any organic waste from its central kitchen to landfill. With these actions, PDC saves approximately $8,000 in hauler fees annually. WasteWise Large Business, Restaurants and Food Service Providers Paper, Waste, Anaerobic Digestion National

Ravitz Family Markets, Price Rite Supermarkets, Inc.

 2019 Ravitz Family Markets is a chain of six family-owned supermarkets in N.J. As a result of its 2018 waste management accomplishments, Ravitz Family Markets, Price Rite Supermarkets, Inc., Camden, N.J. achieved the highest ranking in the WasteWise small business category. Ravitz Family Markets, Price Rite Supermarkets, Inc., Camden, N.J. donated 53 tons of excess food to local food banks, composted 36 tons of food, and recycled 118 tons of assorted recyclables. WasteWise Small Business, Grocers Donation, Compost, Waste National

Home Market Foods

 2019 In 2018, Home Market Foods’ accomplishments to reach its goal of zero waste to landfill resulted in the waste diversion rate rising from 61 percent in 2012 to 93 percent. In 2018, the food manufacturer diverted 14,472 tons of waste including 10,561 tons of food waste sent to anaerobic digestion and 1,336 tons of fats, oils and greases sold for reuse. The company recycled 1,349 tons of waxed and unwaxed cardboard and reused 1,044 tons of wooden pallets. WasteWise Small Business, Food Manufacturing Waste, Anaerobic Digestion National

City of Chesapeake Central Fleet Management

 2019 In 2018, the garage recycled 113,800 pounds of paper/cardboard and 106,436 pounds of scrapped metal. As a result of its actions, the garage earned $8,034 on its recycling efforts and saved $7,158 in avoided city landfill tipping fees. After taking into account funds spent on recycling efforts, the garage saved a total of $9,239. WasteWise Local Government Paper, Metal, Transportation National

Sand Creek Station Golf Course

 2019 In 2018, Sand Creek Station Golf Course diverted 4.5 tons of materials, including one ton of golf cart batteries sent back to the battery provider for reuse, .25 tons of recycled aluminum cans, .25 tons of donated aluminum cans, and three tons of grass composted on site. Only .5 tons of the golf course’s waste went to a landfill. WasteWise Local Government, Sports and Entertainment Venues Metal, Compost, Waste, Batteries National

Chumash Casino Resort

 2019 In 2018, Chumash Casino Resort diverted more than 1,497 tons of materials, 90.94 percent of its overall waste stream, from local landfills in an effort to reach its zero-waste goal by 2019. In the same year, the resort's non-profit partner accepted more than four tons – 8,478 pounds – of prepared food from the resort’s buffet for use at a senior center in Buellton, Calif. and the city’s Meals on Wheels program. Chumash Casino Resort also recycled 1.52 tons of Styrofoam cups through Dart Container Corporation’s CARE (Cups Are REcyclable) program. WasteWise Tribal Government, Sports and Entertainment Venues Waste, Donation, Plastic National

Central Michigan University

 2019 In 2018, Central Michigan University's waste prevention and recycling efforts saved the equivalent of 1,992 metric tons of carbon dioxide. This savings is equivalent to removing the emissions of 423 vehicles for one year, saving 224,600 gallons of gasoline or saving the electricity for 347 homes for one year. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Compost, Plastic National

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

 2019 In 2018, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center had an extraordinary year in reducing its carbon footprint. It tracked and reduced 18 waste streams that resulted in diverting 3,610 tons from waste-to-energy incineration. The center hired a new sustainability program manager who has a clear understanding of the center’s waste streams, allowing for more accurate measurements and further waste reductions. WasteWise Nonprofit Organization, Medical and Healthcare Waste, Transportation, Energy, Water, Batteries National

L Brands, Inc.

 2018 Highlights of the company’s 2017 efforts include sending 83,000 pounds of outdated electronics for refurbishment and reuse; working with a vendor partner to convert 162,000 pounds of unusable liquid soap product into commercial floor cleaner; and recycling 164,000 pounds of alcohol, 246,000 pounds of metal, and 22 million pounds of corrugated cardboard and paper. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Plastic, Metal, Paper, Electronics National

Kohl's

 2018 In 2017, Kohl’s achieved an 83 percent diversion rate through initiatives including plastic and cardboard recycling, paperless billing, and beauty product and fabric scrap repurposing. Kohl’s recycles more than 130,000 tons (260,000,000 pounds) of material each year, including more than seven million pounds of plastic and 230 million pounds of cardboard. WasteWise Very Business, Retailers Plastic, Paper National

Commonwealth Edison

 2018 In 2017, ComEd’s office recycling program alone saved approximately 7.77 million kW hours of electricity, 213,191 gallons of oil, 12.20 million gallons of water, 6,100 cubic yards of landfill airspace (gained volume in the landfill by diverting recyclable materials), 20,917 mature trees, and accounted for 5,544 metric tons of total greenhouse gas reduction (the equivalent to 1,015 passenger cars not driven). ComEd’s office recycling metrics are tracked monthly with the help of its waste vendor. WasteWise Large Business Energy, Water, Waste, Batteries National

Perishable Distributors

 2018 Perishable Distributors of Iowa (PDI) continues its landfill reduction efforts by utilizing the TRUE Zero Waste program, administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (a sister organization to the U.S. Green Building Council). Since receiving its certification, PDI’s diversion rate has climbed from 98.33 percent to 99.06 percent. As a result, the company’s residual waste to landfills has fallen by an additional 27 percent, and by 73.6 percent over its baseline year. WasteWise Mid-Size Business, Food Manufacturing Waste National

Urban Chestnut Brewing Company

 2018 In 2017, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company prevented and diverted 1,038.44 tons of solid waste. Since 2016, the company has diverted 96 percent to 97 percent of its solid waste as a result of recycling and repurposing. The materials were: spent grain (1.7 million pounds), wood pallets (approximately 30,000 pounds), cardboard and other recyclable wastes (300,000,000 pounds), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic barrels (500 pounds). WasteWise Small Business, Food Manufacturing Plastic, Donation, Compost, Paper National

City of Urbana

 2018 In 2017, the Urbana, Ill. Public Works Department recycled more than 9,600 tons of materials, including construction and demolition debris, and achieved a 90 percent diversion rate. WasteWise Local Government Construction and Demolition, Batteries National

University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth

 2018 UMASS Dartmouth’s Dining Services measures, collects and diverts food trimmings, and other appropriate food leftovers. In 2017, by using Chartwells Dining production management programs, Dining Services prevented 160 pounds of waste from being generated. In the same year, Dining Services also coordinated with a local farmer to provide over 62,000 pounds of food scraps for use as animal feed. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Donation National

Georgia State University

 2018 In 2017, Georgia State University recycled 546 tons (63 percent of the waste stream) and composted 270 tons (31 percent of the food waste stream). Through these efforts, Georgia State University saved $33,758 in avoided landfill costs, and the Office of Sustainability Initiatives received $13,317 in revenue from recycling materials. WasteWise Colleges and Universities Compost, Paper National

Pasco County Schools

 2018 In the 2017-2018 school year, the school district increased its recycling rate from the previous year, recycling over 1,800 tons of materials, or 3.6 million pounds. These materials generated over $65,000 in revenue and over $200,000 in cost savings. Pasco County School District’s Conservation and Recycling Program works closely with the schools in delivering presentations and special events. WasteWise School or School District Waste National

The Valley Hospital

 2018 In 2017, Valley Hospital tracked 26 different waste streams, ranging from municipal solid waste and mixed recycling to smaller waste streams such as ink cartridges and batteries. The hospital diverted more than 830,554 pounds of material from landfills and incinerators, increased mixed metals collection by 12 tons, and increased its single-stream recycling by 10 tons. WasteWise Medical and Healthcare, Nonprofit Organization Waste, Construction and Demolition, Paper, Metals, Batteries National
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Last updated on May 7, 2025