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Sustainability at ORNL
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Wastes 

Wastes

WasteWise Awards

ORNL has won Gold Achievement WasteWise Awards for 100% LEEDs.

Recycling

Wastes at ORNL ORNL's Sustainable Campus Initiative has established aggressive goals for reducing the amount of waste that is sent to the landfill. One way to reduce the amount we dispose of is to take full advantage of our recycling programs, including the paper recycling bins. Staff working in Building 1509 (shown in the photo) recently piloted a new ORNL recycling program for offices.

To get a sense of how well we are recycling, we recently conducted two "dumpster dives." When we sorted the contents of a dumpster from Bldg 5600, we found that 20% of the waste was paper that could have been recycled. Check this report for more details on the "dumpster dives."

To encourage even more recycling, we've put new labels on the paper recycling bins located around the Lab. The labels list what can and cannot be recycled. Almost any type paper can be put into the locked paper recycling bins, including bound, loose, shredded, and specialty papers. Paper with contents deemed business sensitive, official use only, financial, and personnel information is acceptable and will be shredded on-site. Also, unclassified floppy disks and CDs/DVDs can be put in the bin to be destroyed. However, classified, Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI), or record copies of ORNL documents should not be put in the bins. In addition, carbon paper and personal hygiene products (tissues) do not belong in the recycle bins. Food containers and wrappers, three-ring binders, and transparencies also cannot be recycled. If you have any questions about paper or other recycling programs, contact Debbie Dillener at 576-7396 or dillenerda@ornl.gov or Susan Michaud at 576-1562 or michaudsr@ornl.gov.

Note that you can reduce landfill wastes by re-using materials. Your excess office supplies, including binders and transparencies, can be sold in Property Sales via e-Prop.

Green Products

In an effort to eliminate foam eating/drinking products and start a transition towards more environmentally friendly (GREEN) products, Buddy's Café switched to paper cups.