Get Green!
Environmental Resources for Business
Tips and Ideas that will:
Save money
Meet regulatory requirements
Protect the environment
Get Green - save the planet one business at a time!
It's True! Businesses can make it happen - combine good environmental practices with cost-cutting efficiency. When you "Get Green", your business saves money and helps the Earth. Because having effective environmental operations usually costs less in the long run, increasing the bottom line while meeting regulatory requirements and protecting our land, air and water - all at the same time.
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Recycling/Waste Management:
Recycling and reducing the amount of waste companies produce can lower refuse service costs as well as conserving valuable resources. Depending on how your company chooses to set things up, recycling programs can raise funds for special programs, benefit charities or schools, and even reduce the amount of paper or other office products your company purchases.
A few general Recycling or Waste Reduction Tips*:
" Use e-mail whenever possible instead of printing documents
" Establish a policy of double-sided photocopying and printing
" Make scratch pads out of single-sided paper
" Send toner cartridges back to the vendor for remanufacturing or try donating to a local school recycling program
" Circulate one copy of memos and reports for review instead of printing hard copies for everyone.
" Provide reusable plates, mugs, utensils and glasses instead of disposable paper and plastic items.
" If your facility has a lawn, leave grass clippings directly on the lawn instead of bagging them for disposal. This will reduce waste and add nitrogen back to the soil for a healthier lawn.
" For larger companies or business complexes, contact the building manager to ask about getting a recycling program that takes mixed paper, cardboard, and beverage containers for the entire building.
" For smaller companies, consider paying for a recycling program as long as the cost is less than what you pay for waste disposal. If you eliminate a waste dumpster by recycling, that will lower your overall fees.
(*from the SmartBusiness Recycling LA program)
Ideas for Programs and Services*:
Check with your current waste hauler to see if they have a recycling program to offer. Torrance is an "open" city, meaning that waste haulers and recyclers are allowed to operate competitively, they just need a business license. Click here for a list of haulers operating in Torrance (pdf format).
The Los Angeles Conservation Corps offer free recycling programs to multifamily units and businesses throughout the entire County. Call 1-213-749-3601 for information.
For help locating a recycler, as well as tips and case studies, try the Smart Business Recycling web site at http://ladpw.org/epd/brtap/recyclingsite/index.cfm.
Exchange programs: donate office furniture or equipment to free exchange programs where others in need can reuse your old materials:
LA Shares
www.lashares.com or call 1-213-485-1097
CalMAX
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/CalMAX or call toll free 1-877-520-9703.
Televisions and computer monitors are considered hazardous as they contain lead and, therefore, cannot be tossed in the trash. Some electronics can be donated. Some local options are:
Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC) at 1-310-224-4312
El Camino College Electronics Department at 1-310-660-3611.
There are also companies that accept electronics for recycling. Again, because of the lead in televisions and computer monitors, there may be a fee to recycle those items. Some local companies are:
Walsers, 23145 Kashiwa Ct., Torrance, 1-310-891-3325 or click here for .pdf flyer.
SoCal Computer Recyclers, 1430 - 240th St., Harbor City, 1-310-626-8180 or www.socalrecyclers.com
Nxtcycle, 15141 Figueroa, Gardena, 1-310-329-9700 or www.nxtcycle.com
Other suggestions:
Green Disk
http://www.greendisk.com/
Recycling and safe destruction of video tapes, CDs, DVDs, batteries and other electronic media
Food Finders
http://www.foodfinders.org/ or 1-562-598-3003
Pickup of donations of unused food for immediate distribution to local charities and homeless agencies
For Hazardous Waste Recycling or safe disposal:
The Small Quantity Generator Program is available through the City of Los Angeles to all small businesses in Los Angeles County. See http://www.lacity.org/SAN/cesqg.htm or call 1-800-988-6942
For a listing of licensed hazardous waste collectors operating in Torrance, please click here or call Public Works at 1-310-781-6900.
*listings of businesses or agencies are for reference only and are not a recommendation by the City.
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