PILOT PROJECT OVERVIEW

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PILOT PROJECT OVERVIEW
Initiated in 2013 to collect compostable waste
from the kitchen and dining area of the State
Center cafeteria.
PILOT PROJECT GOALS

• reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill
• educate employees and vendors
• support the market for organics recycling
• align operations with environmental goals and
  policies

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PILOT PROJECT OVERVIEW

• Assess/Estimate Volume of Organic Material
• Kitchen (First Phase)
• Dining Area (Second Phase)
• Engage a Hauler
• Determine Collection Procedures and Type(s) of
  Containers
• Assemble the Team
• Department of General Services (DGS) - State
  Center Complex Facility Manager
• Department of Rehabilitative Services (DORS)
  Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the
  Blind
• State Center Café DORS Cafeteria Vendor
• Waste Management Organics Hauler
• Develop Signage
• Promote and Educate
• Review and Evaluate
• Maximize Volume of Organic/Compostable Material

3
PROJECT COSTS

• VOLUME
• Estimated based on current service and
  observation.
• Waste Management (haul to Wilmington Organics
  Recycling Center) quoted monthly rate based on
  number (2) and size of containers (64 gallon) and
  frequency of service (twice per week).
• 195/month
• EnviRelation (haul to Chesapeake Compost Works)
  quoted monthly rental fee per container (35
  gallon) and service fee per pick-up.
• 142 - 388/month
• Organic Waste Haulers (haul to Chesapeake Compost
  Works) quoted flat monthly rate based on number
  (2 - 4) and size of containers (35 gallon) and
  frequency of service (twice per week). 166 -
  330/month
• Other Considerations
• What days the hauler can provide service.

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PROJECT COSTS

• CONTAINERS
• Estimated based on current service and
  observation.
• Keep in mind that the total volume of waste will
  not change
• Interior Collection Containers
• Kitchen purchased slim jims for each prep
  station, but kitchen staff preferred central
  collection
• Dining Area replaced existing containers in
  separate locations with station for all waste
  and recyclables
• Other Considerations
• Compostable liners acceptable to the hauler

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PROJECT SIGNAGE
Signage was provided for Kitchen and Dining
Areas Signage should have pictures and
text. Dining Area containers have
color-coordinated bin lids and iconic labels.
Posters with additional information both
graphics and text were installed at each
station.
DINING AREA
KITCHEN
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PROJECT TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
DGS Responsibilities Provides Dining Area and
Kitchen recycling containers Provides compostable
liners for organic waste containers. Provided
Signage Promoted the Project

• State Center Café Responsibilities
• Collecting all waste and recyclables and
  depositing in designated central collection
  container.
• Breaking down cardboard from kitchen and
  delivering to the designated cardboard collection
  area.

Other Considerations DGS can issue a penalty if
the vendor uses unapproved bags or deposits waste
into incorrect central containers, but must give
notice at the time of each infraction. DGS does
not expect cafeteria staff to sort waste and
recyclables once deposited by customers only
that cafeteria staff correctly deposit bagged
waste and recyclables into central containers.
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PROJECT PROMOTION

• When the project expanded into the dining area,
  DGS launched a promotional campaign, including
• Flyers throughout the building
• Table tents throughout the dining area
• Email announcements
• Free meal give-away
• On-site education and promotion

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PROJECT ENHANCEMENTS

• Disposables purchased by vendor AFTER
• 8x8 foam container (hot food)
• 8x8 foam container (sectioned)
• Paper boats (fries)
• 8x8 clamshell (salads)
• 5x5 clamshell (salads)
• 16 oz foam cup
• 20 oz foam cup
• 32 oz foam cup
• Waxed paper
• Butcher paper (sandwiches)

• Disposables purchased by vendor PRIOR
• 9x9 foam container (hot food)
• 6x6 foam container (hot food)
• 5x5 foam container (hot food)
• 206 foam container (hot food)
• 8x8 clamshell (salads)
• 5x5 clamshell (salads/sandwiches)
• 16 oz foam cup
• 20 oz foam cup
• 32 oz foam cup
• Waxed paper

• Approx. Weekly Budget 700 -800
• Other considerations
• Foam and clamshell containers cannot be recycled
  in current recycling program
• Bulky foam containers take up a lot of space in
  waste containers

• Approx. Weekly Budget 500
• Other considerations
• Fewer containers being purchased and thrown away
• Paper products can be recycled with organics

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HOW ARE WE DOING?
Diverted approximately 1500 pounds of organic
material from the landfill from September through
December of 2013.
Diverted approximately 1500 pounds of organic
material from the landfill per month since
January of 2014.