Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP)

WRAP Talk 2001

• Introduction
• Economics and Diversion
• Reflections
• WRAP of the Year
• Business Use of WRAP Designation
• Featured Winners from 2000
• Local Government Activities
• Contact Information
• Application Tips

The New Millennium begins with an open invitation to California's business sector to join in a waste reduction odyssey. The Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP), established in 1993 by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), is seeking businesses that have taken steps to reduce the astronomical amount of waste California generates each year. More than 2,800 businesses have been honored with a WRAP award by implementing resource-efficient practices and aggressive waste reduction, reuse, and recycling activities. In the process, these businesses have eliminated unnecessary spending and avoided much of their disposal costs.

Economics and Diversion
Roughly 50 percent of all waste generated in California is from its business sector, which is one of the world's leading economies. With an estimated 60 million tons of solid waste generated in California each year, businesses have plenty of opportunity to reduce waste and enhance their bottom dollar. In the year 2000, WRAP business winners diverted more than 5.6 million tons of waste from landfills. These businesses realized a cost savings of more than $21 million dollars. Of course, these accomplishments represent just a small fraction of the more than one million businesses in the State of California.

Reflection on the Past and the Present
WRAP presented 1,898 awards to California businesses in the year 2000, more than triple the number of 566 WRAP winners in the previous year. In all, WRAP has presented more than 4,200 awards to California businesses.

Companies and affiliates can apply for WRAP awards in two ways: as individuals or as multi-site businesses. In fact, WRAP encourages repeat applicants to give companies a chance to showcase their successful waste reduction programs. Many businesses have received awards in consecutive years, and some have won for multiple locations throughout the state. Business winner profiles are available for viewing on the WRAP Web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/. California regional press releases are available at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Pressroom/.

WRAP of the Year Honorees
Ten exemplary businesses received the WRAP of the Year honor in 2000. From a wide range of commercial and institutional sectors, they are all outstanding and creative models of business efficiency and waste reduction commitment. This latest group brings the total number of WRAP of the Year winners since 1996 to 50.

2000 WRAP of the Year Winners:

• Albertson's Food and Drug Stores (Statewide)
• Allergan Incorporated (Irvine)
• Apple (Elk Grove)
• Bentley Mills, Inc. (City of Industry)
• Direct Relief International (Santa Barbara)
• I.M. David Furniture (Gardena)
• North Coast Cooperative, Inc. (Arcata)
• Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Cooperative (San Diego)
• The Westin San Francisco Airport (Millbrae)
• Yosemite Concession Services (Yosemite National Park)

Business Use of WRAP Recognition
All WRAP-winning businesses receive a WRAP winner certificate and a WRAP window decal. In addition, the CIWMB provides sample news articles and disseminates statewide press releases to the media. But perhaps the most far-reaching aspect of the WRAP award is the camera-ready logo winners receive for use in promoting their waste reduction efforts and environmental commitment.

Business winners have used the WRAP logo creatively. For example:

• Pacific Bell Corporation (San Francisco), a four-year WRAP winner, displays the WRAP logo on the back cover of its White Pages and Smart Yellow Pages telephone directories sent to more than 34 million Californians. (INSERT GRAPHICS)
• Mad River Brewing Company (Blue Lake), a six-year WRAP winner, displays the WRAP logo on its cardboard packaging.
• Printer’s Ink (Woodland), a four-year WRAP winner, places the WRAP logo on their office invoices, envelopes, and business cards for their business use. (INSERT GRAPHICS)
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach), a first-time WRAP winner, places the WRAP logo in the Aquazette, their in-house staff newsletter.

WRAP-Winning 2000 Businesses
Each year, WRAP winners are publicized with a business profile on the WRAP Web site (www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/). Press releases are also issued to the general media statewide, and winners are encouraged, as well as their local governments, to pursue further publicity at the local level. 

Featured businesses for WRAP Talk 2001 are:  

Cottura Ceramic Art Imports (Los Angeles), a six-year WRAP winner, is the country's largest importer of handmade hand-painted Italian ceramics. Cottura recycles its packaging and offers gift certificates to customers returning their shipping materials. The business purchases postconsumer recycled paper products and reuses shipping boxes. Staff recycles cans, bottles, and plastic items using the proceeds for employee snacks and incentives. At lunch, staff dines on reusable Italian dinnerware with a  Renaissance-inspired mugs.

The MacCallum House Restaurant (Mendocino), a first-time WRAP winner, considers sound environmental practices a key to its longevity.  Employees sort bottles, cartons, and compostable material, and they break down cardboard. They also collect styrofoam packing peanuts for reuse and procure recycled paper supplies.

Korbel Champagne Cellars (Guerneville), a four-year WRAP winner, is the largest producer of Methode Champenoise and the fourth largest producer of brandy nationwide. A recycling coordinator has implemented a program that has reduced landfill costs by 60 percent. Korbel recycles 40 to 50 tons of scrap metal, 15 to 20 tons of plastic, 1,000 tons of cardboard, and 70 to 80 tons of glass annually.

Local Government Furthers Business Recognition
The WRAP program's success is largely due to local government's role in identifying businesses worthy of award recognition. Local leaders provide tremendous support to California's waste reduction effort by recognizing businesses at ceremonies, city council meetings, and other events.  

The following cities and counties hosted events further acknowledging local WRAP winners in the year 2000:

• City of Carson
• City of Irvine
• City of Ontario
• City of Santa Fe Springs
• City of Torrance
• City of Ventura
• City of Vernon
• County of San Bernardino
• County of San Mateo

The South Bay Business Environmental Coalition (SBBEC) also held a ceremony in El Segundo for WRAP winners from thirteen cities. SBBEC plans to make this an annual occurrence.

WRAP Coordinator and Contact Information

Piper L. Miguelgorry, WRAP Coordinator

Web site: www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/ 
or E-mail: WRAP@ciwmb.ca.gov 

(916) 341-6604 or -6607

Application Tips for WRAP 2001
The WRAP application period is open annually from April 1 through June 30. Businesses and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Here are some of the details we will be asking:

1. Your current business Web site and electronic mail address

2. Your current mailing address, phone, and fax numbers

3. The amount of waste diverted and cost savings to your business, if possible

4. An Environmental Statement or Policy (requirement)

5. A media paragraph for use on the WRAP Web site

6. A thorough listing of multiple sites also practicing waste reduction, when applicable

7. Examples of WRAP logo use (attach, if possible)

8. Your comments are encouraged

Apply for a WRAP 2001 Award!

Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP), MS #14
California Integrated Waste Management Board
P.O. Box 4025
Sacramento, CA  95812-4025

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov.

Last updated: March 03, 2008