Waste Reduction and Recycling Program
The Waste Reduction and Recycling Program develops and implements reuse, recycling and environmentally friendly purchasing programs throughout the Health District. Staff also conduct public education campaigns geared towards waste reduction and recycling. In addition, they will assist local businesses in waste audits and program development for recycling in the work place. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about waste reduction and recycling.
Download the 2008-09 Recycling Guide! (PDF, 3.1 MB)
Washoe County's Buy Recycled Program
Washoe County has adopted a policy to purchase recycled products, reuse durable products, reduce the waste stream and prevent pollution in support of the 1998 Federal Executive Order 13101; Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (R.C.R.A.) Section 6002 and the Nevada Revised Statutes 332.065 and 444A.020.
"It is the policy of Washoe County to purchase source reduction products and/or recycled products containing the maximum amount of post-consumer and/or recovered materials practicable. When post-consumer material is impractical for a specific type of product, source reduction products will be purchased containing the highest amount possible of recovered materials. In all purchases, consideration should be given to products made from recyclable materials. Such products must meet industry accepted performance standards, be available at a reasonable price and be available within a reasonable time. It is also our policy to prefer pollution prevention, whenever feasible. Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner. Disposal should be employed only as a last resort."
More information on Washoe County's "Buy Recycled Program".
Wastewise Partner of the Year
For an unprecedented third year in a row, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) honored the Solid Waste Management Program and the Washoe County Purchasing Department as the Local Government WasteWise Partner of the Year.
The WasteWise Program is a joint effort between the District Health Department, the solid waste management authority for the region, and the Washoe County Purchasing Department, which is responsible for all purchases and contracts executed by the county. Under the national WasteWise Program, staff established annual program goals aimed at waste reduction, reuse, purchasing recycled products and recycling. Their goals and accomplishments were reported to the EPA, which tracks participants' progress. Of the 138 local government agencies, which applied for the award, Washoe County's partnership was first in saving money while reducing waste and increasing recycling and reuse efforts.
More information on EPA's WasteWise Program.
Benefits of Buying Recycled Products:
- Reduces waste going to the landfills. Diverted materials are made into new products and not disposed of, so landfill space is conserved.
- Reduces manufacturing waste and pollution. In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air pollution, water pollution, and waste than making products from virgin materials.
- Reduces energy consumption. Recycled products usually take less energy to make. Recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95 percent less energy to make than new aluminum from bauxite ore.
- Creates new jobs. The manufacturing process for recycled products creates far more jobs than landfills or incinerators, and recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns.
- Improves markets. When you buy goods with recycled content, your purchases help create a demand for materials collected in local government recycling program.
What and Where Can I Recycle?
Need information on establishing a waste reduction program at your business?
EPA has developed a step-by-step guide designed to assist medium and large businesses, governments, and other organizations establish a waste reduction program. The guide presents an overview on developing and implementing a waste reduction program, followed by a series of worksheets designed to help the team conduct a waste assessment and devise a program tailored for its company's specific goals. Obtain a copy of the "Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste". This Web site is also good for obtaining technical guidelines and publications of interest.
