All of these case studies are available for download in Adobe PDF format.
For more information or a printed copy of any of the following case studies, please contact the Recycling Hotline toll-free at 1-877-STOPWASTE (786-7927) or e-mail, Partnership@StopWaste.Org.
Pleasanton Corporate Commons: The property manager of this multi-tenant office complex wanted to apply for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Silver certification. This required a more effective recycling program and the addition of green janitorial cleaning measures. StopWaste helped with a waste audit, a $5,000 grant for recycling start-up costs, and assistance with tenant education and promotion. The site not only received LEED-EB Silver certification, but now recycles 448 tons of materials and saves $110,000 a year on disposal costs.
StopWaste.Org: Reusable Moving Crates: When StopWaste.Org moved to a new office staff wanted to avoid generating the mountain of cardboard waste typical of a traditional move. By choosing reusable moving crates they reduced waste, cut back on labor, and improved the efficiency of the move. View a video presentation of this case study.
Oakland Coliseum Complex: The Coliseum Complex wanted the best waste reduction program in the big leagues. The StopWaste Partnership was more than happy to help with $20,000 in grant funding and free technical assistance. The Coliseum has since become the first major league sporting venue to use compostable cups instead of plastic.
Metro Furniture: From its choice of raw materials to consideration for what happens to its products at the end of their useful life, Metro takes many steps to improve their sustainability. Metro makes furniture using wood feedstock from sustainable sources, recycled and recyclable materials, water-borne finishes and adhesives, and VOC-free powder-coat metal finishes.
Peerless Coffee: A waste prevention grant from StopWaste helped Peerless purchase new equipment that cut packaging waste by 95% and reduces annual supply costs by $100,000. A big part of Peerless's waste stream was coffee chaff, a by-product from roasting coffee beans. StopWaste was able to find vendors that not only collect the chaff for composting, but also set up a comprehensive program to recycle paper, cardboard, beverage containers, and compost food scraps and spent coffee grounds.
Bread Workshop: This artisanal bakery in Berkeley relocated and grew its business. Green building materials and techniques were used during building renovation. The move offered an opportunity to set up composting and recycling programs that reduce waste by over 95%. They also put to-go items in environmentally preferable compostable packaging.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
With help from a StopWaste Business Waste Prevention grant, this San Leandro food manufacturer initiated a switch to reusable totes. The totes cut annual packaging costs by $520,000, have a 1.3-year simple payback period, and prevent 350 tons of soiled cardboard waste each year.
East Bay Regional Park District
Duplex copying, high-volume printers, and electronic document distribution cut labor and copying costs by $22,000 a year, and prevents 11 tons of paper waste annually for this public agency’s administrative headquarters in Oakland.
Toyota Logistics Services
This Fremont facility cut costs by more than $27,000 and reduces waste by 120 tons each year with reusable shipping containers, careful supply chain management, and expanded recycling.
Chabot Community College
Improved landscape composting operations and a new on-site food scraps composting system help this college in Hayward cut garbage costs by $7,500 a year, and save $2,500 annually on soil amendment.
Pechiney Plastic Packaging: By increasing the efficiency of their manufacturing process Pechiney saves $165,000 and reduces plastic film consumption by 150 tons a year. An excellent recycling program saves an additional $12,000. Pechiney took advantage of three StopWaste funding options and earned over $78,000 in grants.
ANG Newspapers: Received a grant to purchase reusable plastic pallets that prevent 37 tons of waste and save $46,000 a year.
American Licorice: Through a variety of projects, American Licorice reduced their waste by 98%, saving $48,000 a year. In one project, StopWaste helped this food manufacturer purchase a spiral dryer that prevents the creation of 150 tons of candy-waste a year
University of California, Berkeley: From undeliverable mail in the Administration building to food scraps from the cafeteria, UC Berkeley recycles as much as possible.
Reusable Plastic Containers for Shipping and Displaying Produce: StopWaste commissioned an independent test to determine the feasibility of using reusable plastic containers.
New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.: Auto manufacturer saves $2.5 million every year with reusable shipping containers.
United States Postal Service, Oakland District: Postal Center develops recycling program for undeliverable bulk mail and saves hundreds of thousands of dollars on garbage bills.
Bayer Corporation: Pharmaceutical division adopts company-wide environmental policy and implements model recycling and data management program.
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