Case Studies

We have experience in a number of industries including restaurants, education, commercial real estate, constructions and special events. Our experience helps us to tailor our well-defined services to help businesses improve and profit from sustainability efforts. Please read the Case Studies below to see the breadth of services and experience applied to each situation.

Clipper Mill

Clipper Mill/Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse

Size: 250,000 SF

Adaptive Reuse

Type: Residential, Retail, Commercial, Mixed-Use

Creating a new urban corporate campus and upscale residential community in the JonesFalls Valley Clipper Mill offers commercial office space, art lofts/studios, apartments,town homes and single family homes. This $53 million project includes 97,500 squarefeet of office space and 200 residential units. The following details the services providedto the client:

1. Evaluation of current campus wide waste practices
2. a new system of campus waste management to maximize landfilldiversiona.Commingled recycling for commercial tenantsb.Paper recycling program that generates income - (All income is donated to the neighborhood association)c.Organic recycling program for food service (restaurant/bar) tenants
3. Negotiating with waste haulers to secure the most competitive rates on removal of recyclables and landfill
4. Bilingual training of the campus janitorial staff
5. Commercial tenant education to maximize participation and results thereof
6. Work with property manager to maximize program utilization and yield7.New waste practices established will aid in securing LEED Certification of Clipper Mill campus

Maryland Institute College of Art

MICA - Office of Residence Life and Off Campus Housing

Size: 16 acres

Education Outreach/Hauling Contract

Type: Residental/University Campus

Initiating and mediating contract process

The existing contract between MICA and their hauling vendor did not provide separate composting services nor did they offer such services. In order for food residuals and other organic wastes to be captured out of the waste stream, diverted from landfills, a new hauler relationship was required. WNG now provides hauling services to MICA and projections show that MICA’s costs will be lowered as well.

Outreach to student groups for support and involvement with new practices

Working with student groups provides an organic approach to our practice. It allows for the student body to feel included in the goings-on of campus. It also allows familiar faces to greet students with new information, often times ignored or challenged when solely provided by college personnel. We identified and contacted all student groups that may want to offer their assistance in promoting the program. We meet regularly with them and discuss their role, plan meetings, and offer training so they can assist with implementation.

Educational outreach to students about new practices

Working with the Office of Residence Life and Off Campus Housing, we identified placement positions for educational outreach materials at key junctions to impact the highest number of students.

Finally, Waste Neutral is aware that most students receive the majority of their information from email and other electronic announcements. Working with the appropriate offices, Waste Neutral will assist in the design of such notifications in order to broadcast changes in the cafeteria.

Identify areas in which alternative products may be procured by the cafeteria

During the initial evaluation of the cafeteria, it was clear that there were some procurement alternatives worth investigating. Products exist that could replace the Styrofoam containers used for to-go food. Further investigation showed use of utensils, to-go ware, straws, and the like. Alternatives exist for many of these items and they are not always cost-prohibitive. WNG advised on alternative (compostable) products and MICA is in the process of replacing togo products.

Continuing education

Waste Neutral continues to work with the Office of Residence Life & Off-Campus Housing to create institutionalized methods of information distribution with incoming freshman and new students. These include, but not be limited to:

• Information regarding waste practices distributed to prospective students
• Tours of campus that would highlight/mention waste practices to prospective students
• New-student handbooks with waste practices described
• Signage in appropriate locations within the cafeteria that would describe waste practices
• Assigning a person (student or staff) for the first 2-3 weeks of each semester to guide students on where to dispose of their waste