The past, present and future of the “Awards for Reduction and Recycling of Waste” program Expanding ARROW

What is ARROW? ARROW is a free, voluntary program for businesses that make responsible environmental choices in any of five areas:  Recycling. Business has a recycling program in place.  Buying Recycled. Business buys materials or supplies with recycled content.  Selling Recycled. Business sells products containing recycled materials.  Reducing. Business reduces in ways such as energy use, packaging, paperwork, etc.  Reusing. Business reuses, for example, by-products generated on site or from another business, or may reuse supply elements, such as shipping pallets.

The desire to expand recycling in the business sector leads to the idea of ARROW. 1998: ARROW is proposed for an Innovation Grant for Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville. A pilot program is enacted shortly thereafter. 2001: The pilot program in the three cities is completed with 52 businesses and non- profits having become members. 2003: ARROW expands to include schools, adding 28 members in this category from ISD 191 and : ARROW continues to gain membership, with to 118 members and growing. History of ARROW Awards for Reduction and Recycling of Waste, or “ARROW,” is a unique program over 11years in the making:

Benefits of the ARROW Program  Is a way to thank and reward businesses who have decided to make responsible environmental choices  Reinforces recycling as a way of life, not just an “at home” activity  Creates knowledge of business practices, as the general public is often unaware of the recycling efforts of businesses  ARROW has unlimited outreach potential:  suitable for urban, suburban and rural areas  recognizes small, medium and large businesses  schools, religious institutions and non-profit organizations may also become members

The Application

Becoming a Member  Businesses receive an application via mail or , or may download it from the DVR website  Upon DVR receiving a completed application, the application is sent to the County to check for outstanding environmental violations  If there are none, the business receives a membership packet with:  An ARROW Certificate  An ARROW window cling  Business’ information is added to ARROW database

Benefits to Members  Certificate and window cling  May be displayed for customers and patrons to be aware of environmentally friendly actions  Annual ARROW newsletter  Keeps businesses informed on relevant issues in business recycling and waste management  Recognition in an annual newspaper advertisement  Dakota Valley Recycling promotes the ARROW program once a year in one of the local papers; last year’s ad came out on September 12 in This Week newspaper  Completely FREE!

Window Cling in Action

2008 Burnsville/Eagan zone ad:

 118 members in 3 cities  80 businesses  28 schools  6 government agencies  2 churches  2 non-profit organizations  Wide Variety of Business Types Current Program Stats Advertising Automotive Cleaning Financial Consulting Grocery Home/Building Housing Manufacturing Printing Restaurant Retail Stylists Supplying Veterinary Technology Transport Waste Management

Managing the ARROW program  Maintaining a database of lifetime members  Writing and sending annual newsletter  Putting together annual newspaper advertisement  Sending out annual member questionnaire  Identifying and contacting potential new members  Processing applications

Thank You!

Other Recognition Programs  Wipe Out Waste, Mecklenburg County, NC  3-year membership:  Wipe Out Waste decal to display at their business  Free technical assistance from the County.  Free publicity in local media  Must annually report accomplishments in the following areas: Waste Reduction, Recycling and Buying Recycled Products  Waste Reduction &Recycling Awards Banquet :  Debut Award – Brightest Emerging Program  Most Integrated Program Award  Outstanding environmental leadership award  Outstanding Waste Reduction and Recycling Customer Education Program Award  Currently about 121 members county-wide

Other Recognition Programs  Green Business Program, City of Columbia, SC  1-year membership:  decal to post in their workplace window  a listing on the CPAC Web site  recognition at a Columbia City Council meeting  Free advice and technical assistance from the partners of the City of Columbia Climate Protection Action Campaign  Must renew membership every year  Green Is Good Business Conference  Keynote speaker and sessions on recycling, green cleaning, green landscaping, energy and water efficiency.  feature green vendors and service providers.  Business Afterhours social networking event after sessions  Currently 64 members city-wide