Green is the Goal

How We're Honoring Earth Day

April 22nd, 1970– a seemingly ordinary Wednesday, a “Hump Day” to many office workers. But for 20 million Americans, it was anything but ordinary. Picture it: a wave of citizens, from students to grandmothers, flooding streets and town squares, united in a call for environmental change. The first Earth Day. A day so monumental, the sheer volume of participants would have turned finding a parking spot into an epic side quest.

To succeed in life is a balance. To thrive in this life is a blend of growth in economics and harmonizing with the environment. To quote the Council of Environmental Quality’s tenth annual report: “The Environmental Revolution has altered our physical surroundings. Beyond that, it has produced remarkable changes in government, law, politics, and economics. It has reshaped many people’s philosophy of life and scale of values. In very practical terms, the Environmental revolution is lengthening lives and lessening human misery by reducing the poisons in our air, water, and soil.”

This day was filled with rallies, marches, and the organization of “teach-ins,” which were mini educational sections for the public for learning. The key point is that it was grassrooted in public outcry for an SOS on the planet.

With this shake, an avalanche of forces rose up from the United States in the law realm, including President Richard Nixon's creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act, to name a few of many others that were signed. 

The purpose of Earth Day is a time of awareness. It urges people to be good stewards of the available resources. It went global in 1990, which encouraged other nations to adopt its mindset and act accordingly to improve their geographic regions. It was once thought that the oceans were not capable of facing deficits in fish catches, that the rate of consumption was slower than the rate of repopulation of stocks, and that the oceans were a boundless food supply for the world. Due to population growth and technological advancement with sonar, a different story unfolded.  

What can you do to take part in and support the ideology of Earth Day? Well, where do we start: yourself, others, local, or even state-wide; the key is to find something that sparks interest and longing for change. It is often said that the climate problems are too massive and that we are too late to reverse the inevitable. Throwing in the towel is not an option. Starting small is the best for long-term momentum. The actions within your power:

●     Donate old clothes/household goods to shelters and designated donation boxes around town

●     Purchase a reusable water bottle

●     Take part in only asking for emailed receipts when shopping

●     Running a load of laundry on off-peak electrical hours

●     Bringing your reusable bags while grocery shopping

●     Support fair trade and sustainably sourced food/consumerism practices

We tend to zoom into our lives, instead of zooming out and seeing the larger picture, the larger goal, the larger impact. The old saying “I am but one person” is irrelevant in this day in age, where people can connect and reach far more because of social media. It is time to participate. It is time to show up for yourself and for the future humans who will live on Earth.

So what do we need to tackle? What are the bigger goals for reversing the damage to Mother Earth? It’s the task of reducing/eliminating negative climate change, improving pollution levels, forests, and habitat loss, and overall resource depletion. How can this be accomplished? Through sustainable practices (small and large), policy and advocacy on all levels, conservation, community involvement, and technology advancement work to our benefit.

If you thought the movie “Wall-E” was just a quaint Pixar film to watch with the kids, look again: it foreshadows what could be humanity’s reality.

Sustainable Structures

How the U.S. is Advancing Building Technology

Awkward fluorescent lighting, stale colored walls with flimsy ceilings, and the most monotone aesthetic known to be created: if you pictured your corporate built environment, you are correct. For employees that work in an office, they will experience this setting for 8 hours for a good amount of their lives. Isn't it time companies create a space that is not only inviting, but saves on electricity, water, and waste? 

Being situated in those four-walled structures may have had very little thought on how it interacted with the outside environment and why it should matter to think about how it does. That brings us to the main player behind making buildings into less of a linear system: the US Green Building Council. With the rise of environmentalism in the 1970s and subsequently our first Earth Day, came a solution to what we call “LEED”. This acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which the non-profit coined that can also be interpreted as “leading” efforts to become more adept to the changing globe. Being LEED certified is a global recognition of steps taken to improve the built and non-built environment. The United States pushes itself to be strong and innovative, and the creation of an official system is widely praised.

So began the start of ways the USA grew its aim to become more carbon neutral with LEED when in 1998 the first version was finalized and subsequently after with feedback and advances in technology was version 2.0. There are four levels for which these buildings are given certification, based on a point system accumulation:

●     Certified– 40 to 49 points

●     Silver– 50 to 59 points

●     Gold– 60 to 79 points

●     Platinum– 80 points or above

Where are some LEED-certified buildings that you may not know of, driving through California? De Anza College in Cupertino opened up the Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies in 2005 and was the first community college building in the nation that was registered as Platinum certified. Stanford University’s Yang and Yamazaki Environment and Energy building was also noted at a Platinum rating in 2013. For many commuters, they would be surprised to find out that the San Bernardino Transit Center was labeled Gold in 2009.

The facts are that improving upon the built environment will reap rewards in the long run. It improves the environmental impact by utilizing lower water, energy, and waste production, and being more mindful of the physical ground that a building is created on. Work with the earth, not against it.

Buildings that are sustainably made improve human health and well-being. Going back to the first opening words, a massive shift in the way a building affects us physically and emotionally can be shown when you compare working in a space that lacks natural light and creativity versus one that does. 2020 and the rise of remote work will be a testament to that.

Finally, the real reason companies, institutions, and people will be involved in LEED, is the cost savings. It must make sense financially when decisions are made. So let’s throw out some numbers: the US Green Building Council reports 20% lower maintenance costs and a 10% decrease in operational costs annually. That makes stakeholders, shareholders, and a CEO very pleased. For the icing on the cake, LEED-certified structures can contribute to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals for countries.

For the three above reasons, having a growing amount of buildings in the United States become more sustainable makes the effort worthwhile. What is ahead? LEED V5 improves upon building design/construction, interior design/construction, and operations/maintenance. With the three remaining categories of neighborhood development, homes, and cities to become LEED certified, much can be done. We think about ways to improve test scores in our universities, increase revenue in a business, and attract buyers for new homes, but the answer lies in the noun itself; the building.

America’s Recycle Day

No one is more excited about a national holiday than elementary school children. It could be Flag Day and they would be celebrating like it’s no different than Christmas. While your company may not have denoted “America’s Recycle Day” as one of the designated days off in the calendar, this is to bring awareness to the subject. “How often do we stop to consider where our trash ends up?”

November 15th is the day that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling America’s Recycle Day. It falls on a Friday this year, so you can get your weekend kicked off with a thrill. So what does this mean? Let’s talk about it. It is close to impossible for you to go about your day and not interact with or at least catch sight of one item in the world made of material such as metal, cardboard, glass, or Styrofoam. On your residential curb, you may have one or two bins. One is for items not able to be recycled and the other can. Some states may only have one bin, but that doesn’t mean the state doesn’t recycle. This just means the rate of recycling is lower.

The 2023 report “50 States of Recycling” includes new data. According to released by the Ball Corporation and Eunomia Research & Consulting showed:

• Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Oregon had the highest recycling rates.

• 9 of the 10 states with the highest recycling rates have Recycling Refunds (also known as bottle bills or Deposit Return Systems)

• States with Recycling Refunds recycle 27% more packaging (excluding fibers and flexible plastics) than non-Recycling Refund states.

• $6.5 billion worth of material is lost to landfills annually and could be captured through more effective recycling practices.

When did recycling become a concept? In the United States, it became prominent during the world war in the 1960s and then, in succession, with the introduction of the environmental movement. But, let’s backtrack even further: recycling dates back to 400 B.C. Albeit, it was not called recycling…it was simply people who understood the value of an item and thus made every effort to waste as little as possible and breathe new life into old clothes/shoes/household items. These people made commodities go further. They did it because they had no choice. Their livelihood depended on it. Whereas in current times, it is seen as “doing your good deed of the day.”

Starting to recycle is a manageable task. With anything in life, small steps are most palatable to make a new task less overwhelming. We all need our “why.” Two simple ways to start recycling would be to purchase a permanent water bottle or travel coffee mug. A step further would be to incorporate more canvas bags in one’s car for grocery shopping and buy sturdy ceramic Tupperware for leftovers in the refrigerator.

It always seems out of reach to think about how far is needed to go to become a less wasteful city, state, or country. The first initial thinking people tend to do is to drive that metaphorical car off into the distance as fast as possible. At some point, you will run out of gas and need a refill. Now, where and how that refill comes about could have many avenues. What is important to know:

• People want to save money

• People want to save time

• People will understandably thus want to save this blue floating space rock that is called Earth

Why should we care about recycling, if there could be far bigger issues discussed worldwide regarding the environment? Videos like “The Story of Stuff” illustrate how many supply chains are linear, relying on finite resources and contributing to waste buildup. This way of executing product creation will only work for a finite amount of time. As waste accumulates, developed countries often offload it to less wealthy nations, creating environmental inequalities. Next time you see that green triangular recycling symbol, ask yourself: Is this the end for this item, or can it be repurposed? Or can it “go” further, as space exploration has?

Embracing Waste Reduction

“ A Commitment to Earth Day and Beyond“

As Earth Day approaches, it's a time for reflection on our impact on the planet and how we can make positive changes to protect it for future generations. One crucial area where we can all contribute is waste reduction. By adopting sustainable practices and minimizing our waste, we can significantly lessen our environmental footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.

Why Waste Reduction Matters:

Waste reduction is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps to conserve natural resources by reducing the amount of raw materials extracted from the Earth. Additionally, it decreases pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal, such as landfilling and incineration. By reducing waste, we can also save energy and reduce the strain on our ecosystems.

The Path Forward:

As we celebrate Earth Day and embark on our waste reduction journey, let's remember that every small action adds up to make a significant impact. By embracing waste reduction initiatives, we can work together to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for all.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Matters:

Reducing waste and carbon emissions are vital components of environmental stewardship. Waste reduction helps conserve natural resources and reduce pollution, while carbon footprint reduction helps mitigate climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. By addressing both waste and carbon emissions, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet and future generations.

Conclusion:

Earth Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve the planet. By prioritizing waste reduction initiatives, we can minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world. Let's commit to embracing waste reduction not just on Earth Day, but every day, as we strive to create a brighter future for generations to come.

Working towards

ZERO WASTE!

Initiatives for Reduction

Waste Reduction:

• Recycling Programs: Implement comprehensive recycling programs to divert recyclable materials from the landfill. Provide clear guidelines and education to encourage proper sorting and disposal of recyclables.

• Composting: Set up composting programs for organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings. Composting not only reduces landfill waste but also produces nutrient-rich compost that can be used to enrich soil.

• Reusable Alternatives: Encourage the use of reusable alternatives to single-use items, such as reusable bags, water bottles, and containers. Provide incentives for employees or community members to switch to reusable options.

• Waste Audits: Conduct waste audits to identify areas where waste can be reduced or eliminated. Analyze waste streams and implement strategies to minimize waste generation.

• Packaging Reduction: Work with suppliers and manufacturers to reduce excessive packaging and switch to more sustainable packaging materials. Opt for products with minimal packaging or packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable.

• Donation and Reuse Programs: Establish programs for donating unused or lightly used items to organizations in need. Encourage employees or community members to donate clothing, furniture, and other items rather than disposing of them.

• Education and Awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of waste reduction through education campaigns, workshops, and community events. Provide resources and information on how individuals can reduce waste in their daily lives.

Carbon Footprint Reduction:

Email Optimization: Encourage employees to optimize their email practices to reduce unnecessary email traffic. This includes avoiding excessive use of "reply all," unsubscribing from unnecessary mailing lists, and using concise and to-the-point emails to minimize data storage and transmission.

• Email Consolidation: Implement email consolidation strategies to reduce the number of emails sent and received within the organization. This may include consolidating multiple email threads into one, reducing redundant emails, and utilizing shared communication platforms for collaborative work.

• Remote Work Policies: Promote remote work policies and flexible scheduling to reduce the need for frequent commuting and business travel. Remote work not only reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation but also reduces energy consumption in office buildings.

• Green Email Practices: Encourage employees to adopt "green" email practices, such as using energy-efficient devices, reducing email attachment sizes, and sending emails during off-peak hours to minimize server energy consumption.

• Carbon Offsetting: Consider implementing carbon offsetting programs to mitigate the carbon emissions generated by email traffic. This may involve investing in renewable energy projects or reforestation initiatives to offset the environmental impact of digital activities.

Eliminating Single-Use Plastic in Summer

by JAI SHARMA
VP, Business Relations
June 12th, 2023

As the summer season arrives, it brings with it an unfortunate increase in single-use plastic waste. Disposable water bottles, plastic cutlery, and straws contribute significantly to environmental pollution. At Zero Waste Solutions, we firmly believe that even the smallest actions can have a substantial positive impact. In this blog post, we will provide you with practical tips and effective solutions to help you avoid single-use plastics during the summer months. We will also highlight the services and resources we offer to support your zero-waste journey.

• Bring your own water bottle : This is one of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic footprint. Instead of buying bottled water, simply fill up a reusable water bottle at home. You can even get water bottles that have filters built in, so you can drink water from any source.

• Avoid Single Use Straws : Straws are another common single-use plastic item. If you do need a straw, ask for a paper straw instead of a plastic one. You can also get reusable metal straws that you can keep in your bag or car.

• Carry your own bags : When you go shopping, bring your own reusable bags. This will help to reduce the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills. You can get reusable bags made from a variety of materials, including canvas, cotton, and recycled plastic.

• Choose sustainable products : When buying food, choose products that are packaged in sustainable materials, such as glass or cardboard. You can also look for products that are packaged in recyclable materials.

• Compost your food scraps :. Food scraps can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil. This is a great way to reduce your food waste and help the environment. You can start a compost bin in your backyard or apartment, or you can find a community compost program near you.

Conclusion:

As temperatures rise, let us rise to the challenge of reducing single-use plastic waste and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Explore the wide range of products, services, and resources Zero Waste Solutions can provide your business. Together, we can forge a greener, cleaner future that is geared towards zero-waste.

Helpful Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste

by JAI SHARMA
VP, Business Relations
November 29th, 2022

The winter holidays are the time of year to start winding down our activities at home and at work. Staff are tying up projects in time to relax into the new calendar year. Folks are relaxing into the holiday season. The leaves have fallen, temperatures are dropping, and we are settling into a period of rest. Here at Zero Waste Solutions, we take inspiration from the slowing natural earth systems that reflect this lowering of energy and return to self after a busy year. 

The holiday season welcomes a time to come together and celebrate the joy of togetherness through sharing meals. This means a busy kitchen and often, a lot more waste in the bin than usual. Some easy tips to remember while preparing meals for the holidays: 

• Clear out the refrigerator prior to the holiday to make room for ingredients and leftovers 

• Save bones and food scraps to make stocks that will last until the New Year

• Buy local ingredients when possible and buy only what you need 

• Use reusable cloths and utensils like ceramic, metal dishware, napkins, and tablecloths to save on waste  

When preparing a special meal for guests, re-using holiday decorations is a great way to celebrate zero waste practices in any household or organization. Take care of holiday-appropriate decorations like wreaths, streamers, centerpieces, cornucopias, and vases and store them safely in an organized way to access them easily throughout the year. Purchase local or second-hand items from your closest goodwill stores that you can re-use each year or arrange an exchange of decorations with your neighbors. Consignment, thrift, and second-hand stores typically place out decorations for purchase according to the holiday. If you’re in need of a quick display or item, local shops cater to the holidays as well. 

• See also: Creative ways to sustainably wrap gifts

Zero Waste Solutions offers daily organics pick-up services for multi-family residential buildings and all commercial establishments. If you are an organization or a multi-family complex that sees a large amount of food waste production, we can cater to your needs of lowering this waste by measuring what is thrown out, creating a zero-waste plan, and providing all waste hauling services like trash, recycling, and compost pick-up. 

Some ways to move toward zero-waste throughout the holidays can save your home and organization time and money: 

• Use bags, recyclable paper, cloth material, string, and wrapping paper already at home to wrap gifts

• Re-use bows, paper, and candles for future celebrations

• Venture outside to find decorations in nature like birch tree branches, evergreen branches, and pinecones 

Lifestyle changes around waste can be adapted at any time of the year. Making these changes can save money, time, and resources throughout the year. The holidays are meant to pour energy into family, friends, and experiences. When we are intentional with our actions and planning for the holidays, we can sit back, relax, and now that we’ve done our part in making a more sustainable future for all. 

Benefits of HVAC Maintenance

by JONATHAN PERDUE 
November 2nd, 2022

1) Advantages of Preventative HVAC Maintenance 

Investing in Preventive HVAC Maintenance can help improve operating costs and keep hard-broken repairs to a minimum. By ignoring HVAC Systems, more failures are likely to occur, risking your building’s hard-broken equipment. This is where we come in!

With our expertise and training, building managers are inclined to pay better attention and include regular services and preventative maintenance programs. The goal is to have your systems perform at the most optimum levels, prolonging the equipment life cycle and yielding more in savings by reducing annual Operation and Maintenance costs. Huge risks can be avoided with preventative HVAC maintenance. 

2) Ways To Reduce Allergens 

Facing reality, anyone can tell if an HVAC system is inoperable. When our HVAC is broken, we need HVAC repair. But what about cases involving our health? Do people suffer from seasonal allergies? Of course! Several of us do. Proper preventative maintenance, along with proper filter change-outs are a necessity and should never be discarded. This will help to reduce allergens, and other airborne pollutants, thus making the air we breathe a better quality.

Not only can Preventative Maintenance prolong lifecycles, but it can also promote healthier and safer work environments. Air quality can be improved by maintaining HVAC systems the proper way which includes cleaning coils, changing filters, and duct cleaning. 

3) HVAC Tips for Winter to edit

Running your HVAC during winters helps circulate air and control humidity levels in the building. But it can be expensive and unsustainable to always run the HVAC, especially when outside temperatures drop. Compressors run by electricity, that draw the most power. Tips for lowering the operating costs of HVAC system are: 

1. Units are clean, inside, and out. 
2. Electrical connections are clean and tight. 
3. Electrical components are tested regularly. 
4. Moving parts are lubricated frequently, as required. 
A clever maintenance program can assist with maintaining HVAC Systems. The more efficient the HVAC systems operate, the less the operating costs shall be. 

4) Best Practice for Energy Efficiency and Less Waste 

Everyone has a budget and wants to save money on impractical expenses. Investing in adequately sized equipment maintained by a top-of-the-line maintenance program, can save high energy costs and make one energy efficient. Upgrading systems to perform at peak efficiency will help reduce energy usage, creating a more sustainable lifestyle for you. Most of us do not take system size, age, or components use into consideration. Industry standard is to feel the cool air blowing and believing the HVAC System is working. 

To become energy efficient & sustainable, we audit your equipment, and discuss options to upgrade or replace the system, with our quality Preventative Maintenance Program. As mentioned, this will prolong the life of the system and keep your home on track to becoming more energy efficient. 

Compost Fall Leaves this Month for a Greener Planet

by SONAM MAKHARIA
October 17th, 2022

If you’ve always been looking for ways to give back to the planet, Fall is the best time to start.  Those beautiful red and auburn-colored leaves, gently swaying in the wind, ready to snap off their branches any second, offer multi-purpose benefits such as composting material. 
 
Leaves are rich in trace minerals that offer abundant nutrients to the soil. Dependent on their varying color and type, they offer natural herbicide properties and replenish calcium and nitrogen levels of the soil. For example, green leaves are great for restoring nitrogen, while orange and brown colored leaves offer carbon-rich properties. Together they create a great mix of nutrient dense leaves ready for Fall composting. 

Step by step guide:

1.     Choose leaves carefully for composting as some may be highly acidic and take time to breakdown. Our preferred list is – maple, elm, ash, poplar, willow, and fruit trees. 

2.     Gather the multi-colored mix of leaves and roughly shred them. This step helps in increased degradation and oxygen flow between the leaves once buried. One can use a shredder or lawn mower (or scissors if you are extra crafty). 

3.     Add nitrogen-rich elements to the heap by adding green leaves, food scraps (e.g. used ground coffee, vegetable or fruit peels), or manure. One part green for every five-parts leaf is the general rule. This step is crucial to fuel all the microbes and good bacteria to your quests of decomposition. 

4.     Stack up the leaves close to two cubic yards in a designated location in your yard, and water the pile, so that its moist and allows good bacteria and microbe to grow. 

5. The last step is to wait and turn. Turning compost adds oxygen, which reinvigorates the decomposition. A compost always needs 4-5 days to get going, but after that it can be turned as often as every other day, depending on how quickly the compost is needed. If turned regularly, some composts can be ready in under a month.  

  
Composting is nature’s recycling. Lawn scraps like fallen leaves, mowed grass, or trimmed branches, can all be used for composting at home. It not only nourishes the soil, but it gives you organic manure for your plants, with less presence of harmful pesticides around your pets and children. The Earth stays greener with our green choices.