We have a goal to become a zero landfill waste organization by 2020.  We set it in 2010 and at the time had no idea how we were going to get there.   We generally don’t do that – set a goal without a full plan in place to get there.  However, we felt like creating waste that just sits around in a landfill was no longer the green, or lean, thing to do!

In a year we’ve done a lot to start getting us to zero waste.  We’ve converted to a full-scale Zero-Sort recycling process in which all our recyclables can go into one container.  That’s made it easier for our Associates, seriously increasing our compliance.  The Zero-Sort process has also enabled us to recycle materials we couldn’t before, like that pesky #7 plastic packaging and those #5 yogurt containers.

We have quickly realized that the best waste of all is the one that never comes into our midst.  So, now we’re on a major, multi-year project to eliminate any waste from coming to Hypertherm.  Our Supply Base Managers are busy working with our supply chain on a reusable container system and working through simple elimination or substitution of unnecessary or non-recyclable packaging.  We’re redesigning our processes to reduce waste, such as right-sizing the raw materials coming in closer to their final size.  We’ve also started a composting program in our cafeteria, soon to go full-scale.  We use metal flat ware and ceramic mugs.  We’ve raised the prices for drinks bought without a reusable container with our Zero Cup Challenge and have made those reusable containers affordable to buy.

To understand more, we conducted a full-scale trash audit for 24 hours and I wish there was a “smell” app to give you the full picture!  We learned about different materials that we’re now working hard to find a way to eliminate or to beneficially reuse with community partners.  We learned we have too many plastic bags and that we need to double-back on our Zero Sort recycling training.

In 2010, 28% of our total waste stream (by weight) was sent to the landfill.  Since we recycle a lot of metal bi-product from our machine shop, it’s more illustrative to back out the metals numbers.  Without that heavy hitter, 71% of our waste stream went to the landfill in 2010.  71% to 0% - that’s the path we’re on. 

For 2011, it’s looking like, with all the work I describe above and more, we’ve managed to get down to nearly 10% of our total weight headed to the landfill, or taking away the metals, 33% of our waste stream.  We’re excited about such a big change in our first year (from 71% to 33% of non-metals weight)!  While 33% still isn’t ZERO – we’re trying and I know we’ll get there!

-Jenny