Business Waste Reduction

The Solid Waste Division’s goal is to promote waste prevention and sustainable resource use in Thurston County. We do this by providing education, infrastructure, and technical assistance to fully engage the community in reducing waste and conserving resources.

Our programs strive to make it easier and more convenient for businesses to see results in reducing waste and to save money along the way. Thurston County Solid Waste provides free technical assistance to businesses to help:

  • Research the available disposal options based on your facility’s waste stream
  • Teach you and your staff what items your business can recycle.
  • Conduct an onsite waste sort or facility walk-thru to assess your waste stream
  • Develop a waste reduction program with priorities
  • Measure the progress of your efforts
  • Assess your hauler’s garbage/recycling service levels and costs
  • Develop and coach an employee green team
  • Market your efforts to your customers
  • Provide public recognition of accomplishments
  • Provide signs for waste/recycling bins

Green Resources

Waste Reduction/Recycling

Thurston County Solid Waste – Reducing Waste in the Workplace: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/solidwaste/business/business-home.htm

LeMay Certified Green Program: http://www.lemaymobileshredding.com

EPA on Recycling: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/recycle.htm

EPA on waste: http://www.epa.gov/osw/

California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov

A Kids Guide to Recycling: http://www.upack.com/moving-services/articles/saving-money-the-environment-a-kids-guide-to-recycling/

 

Pollution Prevention

Olympia car wash web link:
http://www.olympiawa.gov/cityutilities/stormwater/education/cleancars.htm

Gardening With A Sound Mind:
http://www.olympiawa.gov/cityutilities/stormwater/education/educationaction_gardening.htm

Storm Drain stenciling (this page will be revised soon):
http://www.olympiawa.gov/cityutilities/stormwater/education/educationaction_storm+drain+marking.htm

 

General

EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/

EPA Climate Change Calculator:http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/WARM_Form.html

Sustainable Resources Magazine: http://www.sustainableindustries.com/resources