Client GHG Reduction Programs
The detailed reporting that is part of WM’s management program provides a client with the information required to document greenhouse gas reductions (GHG) that result from increased landfill diversion and recycling. These GHG reductions are quantified using the Lifecycle Assessments imbedded in the EPA WARM model.
The following link provides a higher level of detail and EPA approved methodology.
Walmart Supplier Sustainability Assessment Program
As part of the WM’s matrix of reports, we can assist our clients who are Walmart Suppliers with their requirements to comply with the Walmart Supplier Sustainability Index program. Key questions contained in the report are the clients total solid waste quantities and solid waste reduction goals. We can assist with the development of programs for landfill diversion and recycling. In addition, we can assist with the academic approach to a Life Cycle Assessment of the client’s goods and services by providing useful links to academic partners. The key academic stakeholder is Dr. Jon Johnson from the University of Arkansas. Dr Johnson’s program is instrumental in the creation of the index that will be released in the near future.
Dr. Johnson’s website at the University of Arkansas Applied Sustainability Center is: http://asc.uark.edu/
Information on the Walmart Supplier Sustainability program can be found on the Walmart Stores website.
Landfill Diversion and Recycling Programs for Sustainability Factors
Various programs are available for the multiple components of the solid waste streams for Landfill Diversion programs to support our Client’s sustainability.
OCC: The most prevalent material recycled is the old cardboard containers (OCC). Oakleaf has an excellent system for collection and international brokering of the OCC materials. We can also provide a positive pay-back scenario with the collections within the scope of market pricing.
Metal: The second most prevalent material is the metal waste of various types and grades. We have a national matrix of vendors that can handle various shapes and sizes of metallic materials. Payback scenarios are available that are dependent on market conditions.
Mixed Plastic Streams: With the multitude of plastic polymer types, recycling streams are available for most of the materials. Water and Soda bottles as well as shrink wrap materials are the most prevalent in the recycling markets.
C&D Recycling: WM's C&D service includes a site-by-site market survey for C&D recycling opportunities. We then supply the client with a survey showing the materials that can be recycled in the local market. This is performed for the client’s entire organization.
Organic Food Waste: WM provides the latest solutions for Organic waste diversion. Following EPA’s organic diversion hierarchy, we prioritize by feeding people first; feeding animals second then feed composting and anaerobic digestion facilities third.
EPA has a presentation that provides the current state of organic diversion.
We also are a member of the US Composting Council, which is a great proponent for the composting process for all the US:
http://www.compostingcouncil.org
Waste to Energy Programs: Many Waste to Energy (WTE) technologies are considered to be superior to landfilling in terms of environmental impacts. In addition to mass burn incineration, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a WTE technology focused on organic wastes and is gaining popularity in the US. AD uses a biological process to create methane gas that can be used to generate electrical power.
EPA has a great link to show many AD sites across the US: http://www.epa.gov/agstar/operational.html#pa
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