Business, agency leaders look at practical solutions that are good for the environment, bottom line
The take out containers and cups on display looked familiar, yet a little different, to Pam Tyler and others attending a recent sustainable business practices conference in Seattle. Everything Tyler saw, including the bendy straw and the flatware, was compostable.
More than 80 area businesses and agency representatives met Friday (Feb. 26th) to learn about how sustainable practices could benefit the environment and save them money. The conference, hosted by Cedar Grove Composting and WCP Solutions, brought in conservation experts to discuss environmentally friendly strategies that would help businesses comply with local directives to cut down on landfill waste.
“Sustainability is important to the [Muckleshoot] Tribe; it is a part of our culture,” said Tyler, Senior Facility Manager for Muckleshoot Casino. “It also turns out that it has been great for our bottom line.”
Conservation measures enacted by local governments to reduce waste and safeguard the environment was the driving force behind the conference, said Susan Thoman, Vice President of Corporate Development for Cedar Grove Composting.
King and Snohomish Counties have adopted Zero Waste programs that aim to reduce landfill waste by up to 80 percent in the near future. In Seattle, restaurants, grocery stores and other food service businesses are required to use either compostable or recyclable food packaging.
“Our customers are looking for sustainable solutions that help them follow city and county guidelines,” said Steve Cole, WCP Solutions Kent Division Manager. “Businesses also want to be good citizens and to satisfy their many customers who have requested greener options.”
The conference also provides an opportunity for Cedar Grove Compost to educate businesses on effective composting and recycling strategies. For example, recyclable plastic inadvertently placed in compost bins affects the quality of feed stocks used, and adds significant costs to processing it into wholesome organic compost.
“More businesses are incorporating sustainability practices into their operations, such as diverting food scraps into compost bins,” Thoman said. “But they also want more education, outreach and public awareness to make sure that it is being done correctly.”
In addition to focusing on compost collection and waste minimization, the event also featured representatives from the Cascade Water Alliance, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Public Utilities and Snohomish County PUD, who all provided insights on conservation strategies. An Environmental Protection Agency representative also was on hand to discuss national and local food recovery efforts and the food waste hierarchy.
WCP Solutions and Cedar Grove Composting together have provided innovative solutions to help divert organic waste, which includes food scraps and compostable packaging, from landfills into reusable, sustainable compost. The result: nearly 350,000 tons of residential and commercial yard and food waste is diverted from landfills each year.
About Cedar Grove Composting
Cedar Grove Composting is part of a family-owned enterprise with roots in the waste management business going back to 1938. As the Pacific Northwest’s leading organics recycling company, Cedar Grove transforms grass, leaves, yard trimmings, food waste and wood waste into the finest nutrient-rich compost. From a humble beginning, Cedar Grove has developed a full line of healthy soils with a loyal following and has grown to become one of the largest dedicated yard and food waste composting facilities in the United States. For more information, please visit www.cgcompost.com.
About WCP Solutions
WCP Solutions, led by CEO Tom Groves, continues to be a privately held business with two generations of the founding family involved. The company has operations in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Montana, Utah and offers service to Wyoming and the Pacific Rim. In addition to printing papers, janitorial and packaging supplies, food service disposables, janitorial and packaging equipment, the company’s core business has expanded to include paper converting and wine packaging solutions with service into a broad spectrum of industries including but not limited to manufacturing, lodging and healthcare. For more information, please visit www.wcpsolutions.com.
