State and Local Climate and Energy Program
Industrial Packaging Prevention and Reuse Project
Alameda County, California
Federal Funding: $498,720
Project Timeline: February 2011 – February 2014
Project Summary
Establishing a Model for Solid Waste and GHG Reductions from Transport Packaging
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority (StopWaste.Org) is launching a project to reduce the use of limited-use transport packing materials (such as wooden pallets and cardboard boxes) by helping businesses convert to sustainable and reusable alternatives. Reducing the use of disposable transport packing materials can result in substantial reductions of solid waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The project intends to develop a highly transferrable model for local governments and businesses, and set a leadership standard that can result in nationwide solid waste and GHG savings.
The project will be administered by StopWaste.Org along with the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) as a primary program partner. Over the three year funding period, a team of StopWaste.Org staff will work directly with San Francisco Bay Area businesses and their supply chains to help them transition to more resource-efficient and cost-effective reusable transport packing alternatives. The steps in the process will include targeted business outreach and education, a minimum of six training workshops for participants, assistance with implementation planning for interested businesses with a team of supply chain logistics experts, financial modeling assistance for businesses using StopWaste.Org's existing "Reusables Cost Comparison Calculator," promotion of the concept of reusables with upper management parties, on-site technical assistance for businesses throughout the implementation process, and continuous follow-up with businesses after transitioning to reusable transport packing alternatives.
The project will have many benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions from raw materials, production, transport and landfilling of packaging. Businesses in Alameda County transitioning to reusable transport packaging will also reduce vehicle miles traveled, increase their economic competitiveness, support existing communities, and leverage federal investment in the area. The project will create lasting change and achieve ongoing GHG reductions that will extend beyond the grant, build sustained capacity within local agencies to address upstream GHG emissions, increase worker safety, link GHG reductions with environmental and economic co-benefits, and create a model of success that is broadly replicable.
Community Characteristics
| Population: | 1,491,482 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 737.57 square miles |
| Government Type: | County |
| Community Type: | Urban/Suburban |
| Median Household Income: | $68,863 |
Program Results/Estimated Results
| Expected GHG Reductions: | 16,000 metric tons CO2e annually |
|---|
Project Websites
Media Coverage
- Replacing Disposables with Reusables,
December 7, 2011 - 7 Success Stories from the Journey to Zero Waste, November 18, 2011
- Greening The Packaging Most People Never See - Pallets, Boxes And Wraps
- Finelite Recognized for Sustainability
- US Foods Shares Recipe for Green Success
- Finelite’s Greening Success a Shining Example for Others
- Material Handling & Management Magazine, December 7, 2011
- Good and Green Radio #64: First-Class Collaboration: StopWaste Business Partnership & Peerless Coffee & Tea Co., October 21, 2011
- Some Chocolate Bars Travel Better Than I Do, October 3, 2011
- Innovative StopWaste.org Campaign Lands $499K EPA Award , 05/10/2011
- StopWaste Expands to Trim Supply Chain Packaging Waste Nationwide , 05/06/2011
- Target to transform appearance of S.F.'s Metreon , 05/06/2011
- StopWaste.Org Wins $499K EPA Grant to Take “Use Reusables” National , 05/03/2011
- Communities win federal climate change funds , 05/02/2011
- “Use Reusables” Goes Coast to Coast , 05/02/2011
- RPA Providing Content and Conducting Workshops for National “Use Reusables” Campaign , 04/06/2011