2. Milwaukee County Recycling and Sustainability Practices Katherine Mitchell UW-Madison P2 Intern 2011

3. Introduction Me: UW-Madison Senior, Community-Environmental Sociology/Environmental Studies Facility: Milwaukee County SHWEC Advisor: Steve Brachman Facility Supervisor: Steve Keith, Environmental Services Special thanks: Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful

4. Milwaukee County, WI Over 100,000 residents 1,000+ square miles Wide variety of facilities: – Milwaukee County Zoo – Milwaukee County Courthouse – General Mitchell Intl Airport – DHHS, Aging, Parks etc…

5. Green Print and Recycling Green Print Initiatives 2007 – Changes in construction, energy efficiency, procurement, storm water management – New goal: improvement of recycling and waste management efforts

6. Opportunities and Challenges Challenges – Lack of data on waste tonnage, vendor services – Recommend further audit New experiences – Site visits and observation – Data collection and cost savings – Asking the right questions!

7. Project 1: New Recycling/Waste Containers Mix of containers confusing to patrons and employees Contamination of recycling creates more waste Alternative: signs for current bins?

8. Project 1: Results Recycle Clear bins New bins: $76,495 Savings: $39,312 plus reduced pickups More recycling!

9. Project 2: Office Recycling/Waste Reduction Part 1: Airport Waste Pilot – Less waste, more recycling – 50 offices, $800 including bags – Potential reductions 312 tons waste/yr if extended

10. Project 2: Office Recycling/Waste Reduction Part 2: Double-sided print and scrap paper – Half of paper used, saves $1020/yr – Scrap paper vs notepads: $96/yr – $1116/yr, just for 2 floors of offices! – Paper recycling increased too!

11. Project 3: Airport Grease Disposal General Mitchell Intl. Airport – 5 concourses, main terminal – 11 restaurants, coffee shops – Dock location poses grease disposal problems

12. Project 3: Airport Grease Disposal Changes Satellite Containers and Vendor Change – Two containers plus installation and transport caddy: $2200 – Savings on labor: $6240/yr – Savings on plumbing repairs: lots. – Payoff: less than 1 yr! – New player: Cream City Grecycle

13. Project 4: Senior Center Dishware Interfaith Older Adult Programs: Meal Sites – Over 6,500 meals each month – Local catering preparation, volunteer served meals – Interest in improving ‘green’ image

14. Project 4: Proposed Changes All incur costs, only savings from spoon reductions at present Proposed options – Current cost for dinnerware: $7722/yr – Reusable dinnerware $20,000 plus operational costs – Composting (over $20000/yr) – ‘Eco-Friendly’ material (over 17000/yr)

15. Other Activities Environmentally Preferable Product Survey Department Site Visits Employee Education – E-Newsletter – Posters

16. THANK YOU! Questions? Comments? Etc? Krmitchell2@wisc.edu