EastRidge Properties implements multi-building recycling program.

Implementing a comprehensive recycling program for 17 office buildings that complies with Westchester County's recycling laws requires coordination, communication and a close partnership between landlord and tenant. EastRidge Properties in White Plains launched its full-scale multi-building-/multi-tenant recycling program in March.

The EastRidge Properties "3 R's" program (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) was introduced to tenants on March 12th and 14th at tenant seminars with more than 100 tenant representatives in attendance. Tom Guerin, Recycling Coordinator for EastRidge, spent more than six months planning the extensive program to make it as simple as possible for the more than 200 tenants in their four suburban office parks along the I-287 corridor.

Westchester County introduced its Source Separation Law September 1, 1992. All businesses, institutions and school districts in Westchester are required by the law to separate recyclables from their trash. Businesses and institutions with more than 100 people at one or more work sites are required to submit a simple solid waste management plan that includes a written schedule for collection and delivery of recyclable materials and the waste reduction and re-use techniques to be promoted and practiced at the place of business. Tenants of commercial buildings occupied by more than 100 people must rely on the building owner to submit the plan.

Under the law, all businesses are required to recycle high-grade paper, newsprint, bulk metals, corrugated paper and cardboard, vehicular batteries and used motor oil. Cafeterias, restaurants, and taverns are required to recycle glass containers, metal containers and HDPE and PET plastics (coded 1 or 2). The penalties for non-compliance can be up to $1,000 per day, and Westchester has hired a Code Enforcement Officer to ensure the law is being obeyed.

To help their tenants understand and comply with the law, EastRidge distributed recycling kits that included important information from the County, the first issue of "Charlie's Corner" (EastRidge Properties' quarterly recycling newsletter), an environmentally-friendly coffee mug, and an 11-page booklet describing the 3R's program written and designed by EastRidge (and printed on recycled paper). The 3R's booklet explains the requirements of the law, how the program will impact tenants and their employees and tips on how individual offices can get started. Tenants have also received motivational and informational posters to help employees understand and implement the changes required.

The recycling booklet suggests that a typical office may have individual receptacles located at each desk; one black for non-recyclables and one blue for all fiber - related recyclables (paper). In addition, they might have a centrally-located large blue container located near the office copy machine or mail room and a centrally-located large green container for plastic, aluminum and glass. All containers should be color-coded for easier recognition and have clear plastic liners for easy disposal of recyclables. It may be economical to affix large color-coded labels to each receptacle, rather than purchasing new ones.

Some other waste reduction ideas included in the EastRidge 3R's booklet include: establishing a company-wide double-sided copying policy (to reduce paper use by 50 percent); re-using envelopes or using two-way envelopes; making scratch pads from used paper; circulating memos rather than making one copy for everyone; using voice mail and/or e-mail if possible or putting up a central bulletin board; proofing documents on the computer screen before printing; and donating old magazines and journals to schools, libraries and children's centers.

"The EastRidge Properties Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Program is the most comprehensive effort I've seen to date," said John Mazucco, Code Enforcement Officer with Westchester County's Department of Environmental Facilities. "They've gone out of their way to help their tenants understand and comply with the law."

To establish the program and make sure that it would be as successful as possible, EastRidge coordinated its efforts with the buildings' cleaning contractor and carting contractor. "We worked out a system with the cleaning company so that specific individuals are responsible for handling the recyclable materials, that way the good work that takes place during the day is not undone during the clean-up process," said Guerin. "We then worked with the carting company to ensure that enough dumpsters would be available and properly marked for the recyclables. They've also allowed us to use clear plastic bags for recyclables so that they can be placed in the same dumpster and then separated at the carting facility."

EastRidge Properties works hard to foster relationships with its tenants and this is a key to the success of the program. "Our tenants know that we care about them, our buildings and the environment because we host informational seminars throughout the year on a variety of topics," Guerin said, noting that they will hold two per year on recycling. "We publish newsletters filled with tips and ideas that tenants can use and we're responsive to their needs and concerns. Therefore the partnerships we've established and nurture will go a long way to ensuring the success of the recycling program."

The EastRidge Recycling booklet offers a five-step approach to starting a successful 3R's program with individual companies: Enlist management support, as the support of company management is essential to success; designate an internal waste reduction team with a team captain, and a designated group of employees should be responsible for all aspects of the program; analyze your trash and determine what and how much trash is generated to help set up collection sites and identify waste reduction priorities; set up internal collection sites, as convenient recycling encourages participation; and educate employees. Success depends on their cooperation and support.