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Success Stories - Nonprofits
Success Stories
Organization Type
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Battelle Memorial Institute – Columbus, OH
Every year, Battelle Memorial Institute targets an area within its company for environmental improvement, and 2001 saw the birth of an environmentally preferable purchasing program for custodial products. This technology developer found that environmentally preferable replacements were available for all cleaning products it used. Battelle spent $329,000 on recycled-content paper products including towels, toilet tissue, and seat covers; $35,000 on plastics such as traffic barriers and trash can liners; and $4,000 on biobased cleaners made from corn, oats, and soy. These replacements, in addition to products already being purchased, boosted Battelle’s total spending on environmentally preferable products to nearly $1 million!
To increase green purchasing further, this Ohio-based company offers regular training and information sharing sessions. It publishes a quarterly newsletter with environmental news and activities. Battelle even coined the Rocky Raccoon Recycled Products Champion award to be given to staff members who promote environmentally preferable products. Other educational events held by Battelle include an environmental fair, a waste sort, and an America Recycles Day.
The 5,500 employees at Battelle Memorial Institute worked to reduce paper usage by duplex copying. This action resulted in a reduction of 6 tons of copier paper. Battelle also conducted a number of Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments to identify ways to eliminate, reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste. The company also purchased duplex printers, copiers, and fax machines in 2000. Battelle also spent $650,000 on recycled-content products in 2000.
Bert Fish Medical Center - New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Bert Fish Medical Center tries to cultivate a climate that lets employees and patients know it cares about the environment. In 2000, the medical center hosted a biannual giveaway in which employees brought excess supplies—normally discarded—to a central location for exchange. During a recent demolition of an old portion of the hospital, the center held a community yard sale that generated $3,000 by selling furniture and memorabilia. The medical center also diverted approximately 300 pounds of packaging from a landfill in 2000 by having a large receptacle for staff to deposit packaging peanuts or bubble wrap for reuse.
In 1999, Bert Fish Medical Center established a comprehensive waste prevention plan targeting used linens and gowns no longer suitable for patients. The medical center saved nearly $10,000 by switching from disposable to reusable hospital gowns. It also donated 1,300 pounds of used linens to a local charity and animal shelter for use as animal bedding and 4,420 pounds of food to a local food bank.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – Williamsburg, VA
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates a 301-acre “living history museum” that recreates 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia, and invites visitors to improve the future by learning from the past. A WasteWise Partner since 1998, the foundation’s 2004 efforts focused on increasing collection of recyclable materials including phone books, rags, batteries, paper, PET, and aluminum cans. In addition, the foundation recycled cardboard, wood, food scraps, and yard trimmings and thereby avoided nearly $16,000 in disposal costs through its recycling program.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Boston, MA
A cancer research and treatment center, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recycled 13 different types of materials and maintained an active “orphaned chemicals” program, thereby preventing pollution and minimizing waste. Concerned with the amount of trash that could not be recycled, the institute’s Green Team created a “Weird Waste Day” on Earth Day 2003 to collect recyclable items that are not typically recycled. The Green Team creatively informed employees about acceptable items for “Weird Waste Day” by placing articles in Dana-Farber’s bimonthly newsletter and on the organization’s Web site. In 2003, the Green Team collected many items for recycling, including 25 pounds of transparencies, 12 pounds of CDs, and 5 pounds of Tyvek® envelopes. In addition, Dana-Farber saved more than $9,000 in 2003 and recycled 91,200 pounds of corrugated cardboard, 115,080 pounds of paper, and 3,000 pounds of mixed plastics.
United Way of America
In addition to serving communities’ needs across the country, United Way of America integrated waste reduction into its ethos through diligent waste reduction activities and continuous education efforts. In 2002, United Way developed a WasteWise Web page, placed recycling signs throughout the office, integrated an “Environmentally Friendly Work Environment” into new employee training, and prevented more than 7,500 pounds of paper waste by moving catalogues, confirmations, and member surveys online. United Way also made a significant change to their procurement practices by purchasing and using recycled content office paper (30% post-consumer) and encouraging local United Ways to follow suit.