The United Way of Greater Simcoe County

Barrie, Ontario, January 30, 2011 — Busch Systems International, a leader in recycling, waste and compost containers has completed its annual United Way Campaign and presented the local charity with a donation of $6,100. This total, which surpasses 2010’s contribution, is comprised of $3,400 in employee donations and $2,700 in corporate support.

“Busch Systems is involved in multiple charity efforts. Of all our campaigns, United Way is the dearest to me personally,” states Busch Systems Office Manager Stephanie Doupe, who was also named 2010 Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year by United Way Greater Simcoe County. “The fact that the donations are used locally is very important to everyone here at Busch Systems. We are lucky to live in such a wonderful community with an organization like United Way that does so much”.

Rather than simply matching the campaign achievements of 2011, Busch Systems has pledged a total of $8,505 to United Way Simcoe County for 2012, including $6,005 in employee donations achieved through an 81.6% participation rate.

“For a company of its size, Busch Systems has always been a generous supporter of United Way,” states Doupe. “The participation rate for the employees at Busch is incredible.”

United Way Greater Simcoe County assists in funding a multitude of support services for members of the community. To find out more information, including how you and your business can get involved, please contact http://www.UnitedWaySimcoeCounty.on.ca.

For additional information or a sample copy, contact:

Chris McBrien
Busch Systems International

(705) 722-0806 – office
(705) 722-8972 – fax
chrism@buschsystems.com
http://www.buschsystems.com

Busch Systems International, Recycling Made Simple.

An industry leader for over twenty five years, Busch Systems has expanded internationally, with a product portfolio detailing upward of two hundred products. Busch Systems develops more new moulded recycling, waste and compost containers than all other manufacturers combined.

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Background

TD Canada Trust

• Subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank
• More than 11 million Canadian customers  
• Over 1,100 branches and 2,600 ATM green machines 
• One of the ‘Best Employers in Canada’ according to MediaCorps annual ‘Canada’s Top 100 Employers List’ 

Busch Systems International

• North American leader of waste, compost and recycling containers for the past 25 years
• Set the industry standard for new annual recycling container designs
• Each container is 100% recyclable and North America made with a minimum of 35% recycled content

Recycling Containers

• 30” Waste Watchers
• Deskside Recycling Bins
• Promotional Mini 28 Quart Recycling Bins

Analysis

In 2007/2008 TD Canada Trust launched a new internal recycling program for their retail branch locations across Canada. The goal of the program was to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills and to increase the diversion rate for recycling.  Busch Systems recycling containers were used to create this onsite separation program:

• The Deskside Recycling Bin
• The 30” Waste Watcher

Deskside Recycling Bins were placed conveniently at each teller location and fitted with biodegradable bags. Once full, the bags are emptied into one of the three Waste Watchers which are located in the branch lunchrooms. Together the containers form a centralized recycling station. The bank used custom label, color and shape options on the container openings to assists employees in the material separation process. Brail was also added above each label to assist TD Canada Trust members who are visually impaired. The program collected:

• Cans/Bottles
• Paper
• Fiberboard/Cardboard
• Waste

TD Canada Trust was attracted to the custom label and opening options available from Busch Systems. The bank also liked that the Busch recycling bins didn’t take up a great deal of space yet provided tremendous functionality. Each retail branch location has limited space available to properly run a recycling program. The Busch #mce_temp_url#recycling bins helped to create an effective and space efficient recycling program by:

• Being able to slide directly under teller desks and drawers
• Being able to form a sleek recycling station utilizing a small footprint and effective design
• Having concealed bags inside the centralized stations through the use of internal bag hooks. The bags were also able to be 18% smaller to save natural resources and costs

The greatest challenge for TD Canada Trust was what happened to the material after they were transferred into the Waste Watchers recycling bins. TD wanted to make sure that the collection process was simple and ran uniformly. They established three different types of weekly/biweekly pickup methods:

• Community based which relies on curbside municipal collection
• Building based for branches located in malls or plazas which relies on property owners to coordinate collection
• Waste hauler based which relies on TD Canada Trust to arrange for collection

For bank locations which didn’t have access to community or building based programs TD Canada Trust created one. The bank teamed up with local waste hauler service providers and arranged for programs to be setup. This was an entirely new approach to recycling. It required haulers to go directly into the facilities to collect the materials from central locations. Previously, the haulers were largely used to emptying large metal bins located outside of the facilities.

TD Canada Trust relied on their new recycling equipment to simplify the new collection process. The Busch recycling bins offered:

• Internal bag hooks to ensure that no material misses the bag. This eliminates the time waste collecting materials from the bottom of containers
• Easily removable lids which helps haulers get to the bags with ease
• Easy grip handles on the top and bottom of the container which make them easy to transport and empty

Once the strategy for the recycling program was established the equipment was selected and stocked. The bank created communication and promotional tools to launch the program to the retail locations. Each location was given access to recycling products and equipment supplied by Busch. TD Canada Trust also supplied mini recycling bins stamped with the banks logo and environmental slogan. The bins were filled with program instructions and geared toward educating and exciting TD employees to use the new program.

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Conclusion
Overall, the program was overwhelming well received by TD employees and customers. The recycling program and products helped to support the environmental brand and culture of the bank. TD is well known for their “Friends of the Environment Foundation” and various other green pursuits.

Background
Michigan State University

• Founded in 1855
• The top research institution and leader in international engagement
• Currently has 533 buildings and over 40,000 students enrolled in the more than 200 programs
• First recycling program was launched in 1991
• Thousands of recycling containers have been scattered across the campus

Busch Systems International

• North American leader of waste, compost and recycling containers for the past 25 years
• Set the industry standard for the yearly production of new molded bins
• Each container is 100% recyclable and North America made with a minimum of 35% recycled content

Waste Watcher

• Space efficient, high density, attractive and functional
• Ideal for high traffic areas
• Holds upward of 23 gallons of recyclables or waste
• Has custom lids, labels and openings for easy sorting
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also uses these containers

Analysis
The new containers marked the beginning of Phase II of the MSU recycling program.  In Phase I a mix of old and new containers were used in various building across the school. The mix of containers was confusing for students and looked poorly on the campus. Phase II was rolled out in late December of 2009 with Busch ‘Waste Watchers’. Staff spent four, fourteen hour days over winter break to setup the program effectively. 

Phase II consisted of three thousand dark green ‘Waste Watchers’ which were placed in over 200 buildings at MSU including:

• Classrooms
• Research labs
• Athletic centers
• Administration buildings
• Residential houses
• Bus terminals

Previously, Deans had objected to recycling containers being in so many public spaces because they wereunattractive. The sleek appearance of the ‘Waste Watcher’ meant that more recyclables could be collected in more places at MSU.

The containers were used to form a recycling station:

• The ‘Waste Watchers’ are designed to link together to form a sleek recycling station
• Each container collects a different material without occupying a great deal of space
• The station collects paper, mixed, boxboard, plastics and household metal

The recycling stations are emptied by the custodial staff who:

• Transfers the material into larger containers
• The recycling crew picks up and transports the containers to an on campus recycling center
• The school then sorts it, bales it and sells it
• This fosters sustainability and produces a profit to fund the program by

The ‘Waste Watchers’ features are designed to help the schools collection process including:

• Removable lids and easy-grip handles which save time and resources
• Custom lid openings
• MSU selected a circular opening for plastics and a thin slot shaped opening for paper collection

MSU found the custom openings on the containers to work well with their program. The openings feature a simple, clean sorting system which is easy to identify and use. This diverts more materials into the correct container and reduces the resources spent sorting them.

Conclusion
Overall, Busch recycling containers have increased MSU’s recycling participation. They have also improved the quality of sort from the collected materials. What remains to be seen is how the program will take shape in the coming months and how this will impact future initiatives. Nevertheless, the new containers allow for more recyclables to be collected in more areas. This increases the profit made by the recycling center and reduces the schools carbon footprint.

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Busch Systems is proud of the contributions they have made to making recycling simple. The company continues to introduce new methods for material collection in the recycling industry. Busch containers are easy to use and custom designed to improve recycling programs in different spaces.

Offering complete recycling packages, Busch Systems provides resources for setting up programs in any space and the recycling bins to maximize its participation. Busch Systems is committed to reducing our carbon footprint both through effective collection methods and container manufacturing. Busch containers consist of a minimum of 35% recycled content, are 100% recyclable and made in North America.

From its inception 25 years ago the company has expanded across North America and Europe. Busch now has a product portfolio including hundreds of products and over 40 employees. Today, the company has hundreds of recycling programs running out of tens of millions of homes.

Craig Busch, Chief Executive and President of Busch Systems, proudly notes that “This milestone is largely thanks to the team of people behind it. I am looking forward to the new recycling bins which the company will be introducing in the near future and where they will bring us over the next 25 years.”

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For information: www.buschsystems.com
Contact: Carla@netgainseo.com
t. (705) 797-2455

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Executive Summary

Background
Youngstown State University (YSU)

• Founded in 1908
• Started as an Urban Research Institute  
• 14,600 students currently enrolled
• First recycling program started in 1990

Busch Systems International

• North American leader of waste, compost and recycling containers for the past 25 years
• Set the industry standard for the yearly production of new molded bins
• Each container is 100% recyclable and North America made with a minimum of 35% recycled content

Recycling Containers

• 8 Collection Carts (65 Gallon)
• 50 Recycling & Waste Pails (32 Gallon)
• 25 Better Than Stone Containers (45 Gallon)
• 300 Apartment Recycling Bins (6 Gallon)

Analysis
In the 2006/2007 academic year YSU began using Busch containers to enhance their recycling program. That same year Youngstown State became the first college or university in Ohio to compost food waste. The schools recycling program used Busch containers in event locations, athletic facilities, dining halls, parking lots and office/academic buildings. The goal was to help the school reduce their carbon footprint by collecting different recyclables campus wide including:

• Paper & Publications
• Mixed Beverage Containers
• Compost
• Cardboard

The new recycling bins made it faster and easier to collect these materials with such features as:

• Heavy-duty rubber wheels which make it easy to manoeuvre the Collection Carts
• Grip handles which make it easy to recollect the Recycling & Waste Pails into different special events
• Side hinges which makes it easy to open the Better Than Stone bin regardless of where it is located
• Durable handles and lightweight frame which makes it easy to collect and empty the Apartment Bins

The containers are also helping to achieve the universities current recycling goals. In 2006 the goal was expand on the type of recyclables which could be collected and the areas the containers could be placed. In 2010 some of the goals are to:

• Divert 700 tons of recyclables, reusable and compostable materials from landfills
• Achieve a 55% waste diversion rate
• Consolidate waste receptacles and recycling bins to create waste stations
• Expand the current composting program

With the goal of expanding their composting program in 2010 comes the need for more recycling bins. For this new containers could be used. Since 2006 Busch has expanded their product portfolio; introducing containers with improved features for collecting food waste. For example, the new Busch Kitchen Composter (KC5) would be a great addition to their composting program. It is compact and fitted with a carbon filter for better odour filtration.

Youngstown State has set a very ambitious diversion goal for 2010. Thankfully, all of Busch containers are custom designed to divert more materials away from waste baskets and into recycling bins. The containers are fitted with custom labels, openings and lids so that students can clearly and quickly see what the containers are collecting. This ensures that more materials end up recycled and sorted effectively; making the post-collection process easier. At YSU after the recyclables are collected they are:

• Transported to the Mahoning County Solid Waste District’s (MCSWD) Recycling Center
• At the center the recyclables are emptied into 4 yd, 10 yd and 20 yd dumpsters
• Once full,  a waste hauler takes the dumpsters to a designated Materials Recovery Facility
• At the factory the materials are separated and prepared for reuse

Conclusion

Overall, the Busch containers have helped Youngstown State University achieve their recycling goals both in previous years and currently. The recycling bins are easy to use and collect, making it ideal for operators and the student body alike. What remains to be seen is how the upcoming changes to their program will shape the use of these containers.

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As the founder of the German Green Party, Petra Kelly once said “If we don’t do the impossible, we shall be faced with the unthinkable.” It is time we answered Kelly’s call to action and set into motion the necessary steps to revitalize the earth, such as, integrating recycling programs within local communities. The simple practice of generating new uses for discarded materials conserves natural resources, reduces air pollution, saves energy and downsizes landfills. For example, if everyone in the country recycled a newspaper a week thirty-six million trees a year would be saved.

There are six steps involved with setting up a recycling program for special events:

1. Consult a waste collection service
2. Determine what is needed
3. Gather equipment
4. Organize
5. Roll out the program
6. Maintain program

This guide will outline each of these steps in detail and how to use them to implement a successful recycling program.

Step 1: Consult a Waste Collection Service

Before introducing a program determine what type of recycling is possible for the area. Contact local businesses and find out who collects waste and recyclables in the area. When contacting the companies evaluate their customer satisfaction and collection costs, as well as, determine if neighbouring businesses are interested in sharing recycling services.

Each community has a different procedure for collecting recyclables. Find out from the waste hauler what the collection requirements are in the area including:

• What types of materials are collected
• How materials are separated
• What color schemes are used
• What types of containers are accepted
• When are materials collected
• How much does it cost
• What type of areas work with the collection trucks
• What happens when the program requirements change

Step 2: Determine What Is Needed

Determine how much and what type of waste is anticipated. Apply it to the specifications provided by the hauler and the anticipated level of traffic for the area. Together this information will provide what is needed for the recycling program to run. For example, a special event planner may require different container combinations based on the event which they are servicing. The type of recycling bin combination which will work best will depend on how often it will be emptied, the amount of staff and attendees contributing to it, possible janitorial services and the size of the area.

A great way to determine what is needed for a recycling program is by seeking the input and approval of those in the space. Applying the advice of others can encourage future program use. It can also ensure that an appropriate recycling program is selected by those who will be using it.

Step 3: Gather Recycling Equipment

Now that the specific needs of the program have been determined the equipment can be purchased. Consult a recycling bin manufacturer for program ideas and container solutions. Ensure that the bins selected are easy to use, efficient and environmentally sound.

Easy to use recycling containers should be versatile and custom designed to work with any environment. There are different bin features available which make participation in a recycling program easier such as:

• Mountable bins for increased surface space
• Desk side bins for increased leg room
• Stackable containers for easy storage
• Large wheeled or lidded containers for easy transportation

Select the container which makes the most sense for the area it will be placed in.

Containers should feature the correct combination of visual indicators and sorting mechanisms to maximize the ease in use. Use clearly marked labels, shaped deposit slots and different color options.  These tools will allow others to quickly identify what the bin is designed to collect.

Implementing plastic containers which are environmentally sound can assist a recycling program. Select containers which are 100% recyclable, made with a minimum of 35% recycled content and complimented by matching waste baskets. Containers meeting these requirements will maximize the results of a recycling program as they have green solutions built right in.

North American made containers have a reduced impact on the environment. Local products will reduce air pollution resulting from overseas shipping and toxins from foreign containers. Also, if the recycling bins are within arm’s reach they will be easier to replace or distribute in the future should new containers be needed.

Product Recommendations

Busch Systems offers an extensive line of recycling and waste container solutions. The type of bin to select for a special event will depend on how it will be used. There are two categories of use to consider when selecting recycling bins: temporary and permanent. Listed below are product recommendations for each category:

1. Recycling containers designed for temporary use target functions which require added recycling, such as, banquets or weddings. The ‘Recycle Clear’ series is ideal for these types of temporary activities as it is lightweight, durable and custom designed to work indoor or outdoor in varying weather conditions.
2. Permanent recycling containers are for venues hosting special events which wish to continue the use of the containers after the event is complete. The product best suited for this category is the ‘Better Than Stone’ container.  It is a cost-effective alternative to concrete bins which will not rust, dent or dirty.

These are only a few of the recycling container solutions offered at Busch. To view the complete line of equally attractive alternatives please visit: www.buschsystems.com.

Step 4: Organize the Recycling Program

After a container is selected it must be incorporated into a well organized recycling program. The first step is assigning a program coordinator. This should be someone who is involved with the event and interested in taking charge of the program. Once the coordinator is made aware of their responsibilities they can ensure that the recycling program is always running smoothly.

The new candidate can begin their duties by selecting where the containers should go. When deciding where bins should be placed bear in mind other containers which may be in the environment, traffic, capacity and collection. The scheduling of container collection may be the deciding factor in determining where the bins should go. Placement options may be limited depending on the size of the collection vehicle and the accessibility of the area.

Suggested Green initiatives

Once the collection of recyclable material has been arranged other green initiatives can be considered. Listed below are a few suggestions for green practices which special event coordinators can practice:

• Advertising online
• Using online registration and confirmation
• Choosing local venues to reduce gas emissions resulting from travel
• Having food service providers supply sugar, salt, pepper and cream in bulk containers
• Planning meals using local ingredients
• Selecting venues with linen reuse programs

Step 5: Roll Out Program

Following the development of a recycling program is the execution. In order for the program to run smoothly the end user must be educated on how it operates and understand what the goals are. Rolling out the initiative will get those sharing the space excited about the program and motivated to use it.

Contact event venues and inform them of the recycling program. This will ensure that there are no competing programs at the event and eliminate confusion for guests. Organize a meeting with all staff prior to the event. Educate the staff on how the program runs, what the goals are, who the program coordinator is and what everyone’s responsibilities are. Also, consult the event hosts and determine if recycling program information can be supplied to guests prior to the event (perhaps alongside an invitation).

Step 6: Maintain Program

Maintaining a recycling program is a critical component to ensuring its longevity and success. A large part of the upkeep process will be the responsibility of the program coordinator. They will need to constantly monitor the effectiveness of the program and find ways to improve it. The coordinator will also be responsible for keeping those in the facility enthused and new staff educated on the program procedures.

There are several ways in which a program coordinator can keep up enthusiasm at special events. For example, a record can be stored of the amount of recyclables leaving each event. Statistics can be generated on the materials recovered. These statistics can be distributed to each staff member at the beginning of each event along with an acknowledgement of a job well done. This will keep up program enthusiasm and motivate staff keep up recycling efforts at every special event.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the combined usage of the above six steps will enable special event coordinators to incorporate an effective recycling program. The program should work toward conserving our natural resources and safeguarding our environment. Ideally, a new recycling program will allow future generations to flourish in what we have instead of flounder in what we have left behind.

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