MN Waste Wise About Us Member Services Supporters Join Us Recycling Programs » Successes Resources News & Events Event Registration Request Form Archived Presentations Contact Us

Success Stories

Great River Energy (Maple Grove, MN)

In addition to energy conservation efforts, Great River Energy believes in the importance solid waste reduction and recycling. To support this effort, Great River Energy formed a voluntary employee Eco Team. In 2007, through an increase in the number of locations for recycling containers and more employee education, Great River Energy made significant increases in the amount of beverage containers they recycled. Collection containers were added to all conference rooms and many commons areas. This was then promoted on the company’s intranet site describing the new locations and advertising the energy saving and environmental benefits of recycling. As a result of these system changes Great River Energy was able to increase beverage container recycling from 2,468 pounds in 2006 to 5,732 pounds in 2007; a 132% increase.

In December of 2007 the Eco Team promoted the first in a series of office clean out events that were designed to promote paper recycling in anticipation of an upcoming office move. In one week of office cleaning over 1700 lbs of paper was recycled. In total, Great River Energy recycled 79,843 pounds of cardboard and paper in 2007. Along with the above efforts, in 2007 Great River Energy recycled 6,191 pounds of batteries, 3,934,395 pounds of scrap metal, 377,540 pounds of clean wood, 2,953,480 of concrete, 46,980 pounds of sheetrock, 13,129 pounds of electronics, and 1,208,196,000 pounds of fly and bottom ash.

Great River Energy’s commitment to waste minimization extends beyond their recycling program to include purchasing and donation activities. By supporting recycling markets through purchasing products made with recycled content Great River Energy is helping to close the loop. In 2007, purchasing staff worked with their primary office materials supplier to identify available recycled products. By the end of 2007 they had exceeded their goal of 30% of office supply purchases being products that were made with recycled material. In addition, Great River Energy donated 8,846 pounds of computer equipment, including 133 monitors and 32 processors to Minnesota Computers for Schools in 2007.

Minnesota State Fair (St. Paul, MN)

IIn 2006, Minnesota Waste Wise staff toured the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and identified areas to reduce waste and increase recycling rates. As a result, the State Fair implemented a new waste reduction and recycling initiative for food waste and other items. The 2007 State Fair composted nearly 38 tons of food waste and recycled 22.5 tons of bottles and cans during the 12-day fair. The fair began recycling its wood pallets with Waste Wise member Gruber Pallets, keeping nearly 21 tons of pallets from the trash. The fair also recycled 121 tons of cardboard with Waste Wise member Eureka! Recycling and 47 tons of grease through Waste Wise member Sanimax.

Golden's Deli (St. Paul, MN)

Minnesota Waste Wise member Golden's Deli and Catering is always finding ways to implement environmentally-friendly practices into its everyday business while supporting the local community. Owner Jim Golden emphasizes that Golden's is doing "the right thing" by offering low-waste catering in biodegradable wraps and box lunches, including biodegradable silverware made from corn, potato and sugar can products. In addition, Golden's recycles its food waste through a food-to-hogs program.

DecoPac, Inc. (Anoka, MN)

DecoPac, Inc., the world's leading marketer of cake decorations, joined Minnesota Waste Waste in early 2007. The membership paid dividends immediately as Minnesota Waste Wise assisted DecoPac in contacting local companies that recycle pallets and stretch wrap. Through September of 2007, DecoPac has recycled over 21,000 lbs of stretch wrap and over 1,700 pallets.

In addition to these efforts, DecoPac replaced their high intensity discharge warehouse lighting system with fluorescent lighting. The fluorescent lighting system uses 40% less electricity than the high intensity discharge system. DecoPac also continues to recycle corrugated cardboard and paper at impressive levels; through September of 2007, DecoPac has recycled over 290 tons of corrugated cardboard and paper.

Medtronic (Fridley, MN)

Through the implementation of an innovative waste reduction program, Waste Wise member Medtronic has reduced packaging material and literature for a total savings of 1.5 million dollars. New packaging designs utilize resources more efficiently and product literature is supplied to consumers in an electrical format instead of paper. Specifically, the transition to an electrical format of product literature has saved more than 672 trees or 350,000 pounds of paper, the equivalent to a stack of paper 12,000 feet high. The cutting edge project not only is environmentally and economically friendly but, is also more convenient for consumers. Medtronic is truly fulfilling the motto of ‘less waste is smart business!’ As Doug Fullen, Director of Environmental Services put it, “This initiative provides Medtronic with a competitive advantage by exceeding customers’ expectations, reducing cost and improving the environment – a win-win-win."

Report a Success

Have you recently implement a successful waste reduction activity? Do you have a successful waste reduction program? Please tell us about your success. We track successes to promote Minnesota Waste Wise services to others and to show our members the value of our program. The information you provide is used for internal purposes only. Successes are not published without your consent. Call Waste Wise at 800-821-2230 and tell them about your successes.

Site Map|Privacy & Security|Contact Us|Send Feedback
© Copyright 2008 Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

This web site is developed and owned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Any use or reprinting is strictly prohibited without prior consent of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.