Working toward Zero Waste in Union City

Joaquin, Laurel, and Mike assess waste in Union City

On June 21, 2011, Joaquin, Laurel, Pat, Arin, and Mike audited the trash at our Union City, California plant.  Our Union City plant already has a tremendous record of waste reduction, as an 8 consecutive year winner of WRAP (Waste Reduction Award).  Over the past 12 months, we’ve measured at least 90% of trash redirected from landfill.

We found that over half of trash could be recycled, with paper and plastic materials as two of the largest categories.  Our initial focus will be to make sure that clearly labeled and accessible recycling bins are available to get these materials out of the trash and to recycling.  We are also looking into using composting services to reuse food waste.

We’ll be setting reduction goals by quarter and providing educational information to all associates in Union City to move us toward our goal of zero waste.  We will then take the same approach in our LaPorte, Indiana facility and in our Bend, Oregon corporate office.  The exciting news:  zero waste is closer than we think!