Business Waste Reduction

Sample Waste Prevention Policy and Resolution

Offices can use this sample waste prevention resolution and policy to develop their own in-house policies and company resolutions.

CIWMB In-House Waste Prevention Policy

As part of its overall integrated approach to waste management, it is the policy of the California Integrated Waste Management Board to implement cost-effective waste prevention practices in all of its in-house and external operations. Specifically, except where prohibited by State law, regulations, or preexisting contracts, the Board shall:

1. Maintain or increase the level of paper reduction attained in 1994 (25 percent).

2. Purchase photocopiers with a duplex function designed for heavy loads.

3. Purchase computer printers that have double-sided printing capability.

4. Maintain all copiers and printers so that all functions are in full working order.

5. Double-side all documents and communications except where necessary in the case of master documents or where equipment is unable to perform this function reliably.

6. Encourage use of paper used on one side in fax machines and as an optional paper in copiers, except where specifically prohibited by equipment warranties, and for scratch paper and pads.

7. Assure that electronic systems, including individual and network software, are always set up to allow for default double-sided copying.

8. Require that all proposed changes in procedures, formatting, the computer network, any software, and documents be reviewed for their impact on waste generation and that adjustments be made to the proposed changes if necessary to minimize any waste generation.

9. Encourage internal documents to be submitted with minor legible handwritten corrections.

10. Practice waste prevention in all procurement decisions.

11. Operate in a facility that maximizes waste prevention in its custodial, maintenance, and landscaping practices.

12. Maintain and require that Board staff are to use a centralized mailing system.

13. Purchase only useful promotional items which further waste reduction.

14. Actively pursue reducing the size and number of all documents and Board informational publications through streamlining and format revisions.

15. Implement other waste prevention practices as deemed appropriate.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned Executive Officer of the California Integrated Waste Management Board does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the California Integrated Waste Management Board held March 29, 1995.

Dated:

Ralph E. Chandler Executive Officer

Top

CALIFORNIA INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD RESOLUTION
NO. 95-265

WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (Board) is required to promote waste prevention (source reduction) as the priority waste management practice; and

WHEREAS, the Board is required to maximize the use of all feasible waste prevention, recycling, and composting options in order to reduce the amount of solid waste that must be disposed; and

WHEREAS, the Board, in response to these and other statutory mandates that require the Board to promote statewide waste prevention, recycling, and composting, has developed a Statewide Waste Prevention Plan and is implementing a state facilities recycling program; and

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that waste prevention offers a great potential to reduce waste, but is a relatively underdeveloped approach because it competes with better known traditional waste management practices that rely on managing discards, such as recycling; and

WHEREAS, the Board fully intends to lead the way in reducing the generation of solid waste in California; and

WHEREAS, the Board adopted and implemented an In-House Waste Prevention Policy and Waste Prevention Plan to provide leadership though example and serve as a case study; and

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that the results of implementing the In-House Waste Prevention Plan demonstrate that the in-house waste prevention effort should continue and certain changes should be made to improve the In-House Waste Prevention Policy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board adopts the following revised In-House Waste Prevention Policy and:

• Directs its Executive Director to implement this policy; and

• Directs its Executive Director to issue an executive order which encourages managers to allow minor handwritten corrections on internal documents; and

• Directs staff to investigate ways to reduce purchases of unneeded items by state agencies especially at the end of the fiscal year; and

• Directs staff to actively look for ways to reduce the number of copies and size of all written material printed and distributed by the Board because this offers the greatest form of savings (including both cost of copying and mailing); and

• Directs staff to implement a tracking system to ensure that all copier break-downs are recorded and responded to within 24 hours by May 31, 1995; and

• Directs staff to implement centralized mailing list by fall 1995; and

• Directs Waste Prevention and Project Recycle staff to identify two receptive State offices to test the feasbility of the office waste prevention model. This will be done in conjunction with the Statewide Waste Reduction Training Program utilizing Project Recycle's established network.

Do you have questions, or some ideas of your own we could share with others? bzassist@ciwmb.ca.gov

Office Paper Home  |  Business Waste Reduction Home

Last updated: November 01, 2007