Industrial Property Case Study

Enhanced Recycling Program Saves Elk Grove Village Industrial Facility $42,000 Annually

PROBLEM:

The industrial property was facing inefficiencies in waste management with high costs and inadequate recycling efforts. The facility was using a vendor-owned 25-yard compactor serviced once per week and a 2-yard container serviced three times per week. The existing recycling system included a 60” vertical baler for OCC only, with no reporting of weights or rebates offered, leading to unmonitored and unrewarded recycling efforts. The facility’s waste included general waste, silicon, steel, film, fiber purging, and purging pails/lids, necessitating a comprehensive waste diversion strategy.

OVERVIEW:

• Facility Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
  • This industrial facility is situated in Elk Grove Village, a hub for manufacturing and industrial activities in Illinois.

SOLUTION AND RESULTS:

Through our strategic recycling partner, DWS introduced a robust recycling program that established rebates for various materials and optimized waste services. This approach led to a significant reduction in waste volume and costs, increasing the landfill diversion rate and resulting in an annual savings of $42,000. The facility experienced a 74% reduction in net waste management costs, demonstrating the substantial financial and environmental benefits of the improved waste management system.

WASTE SERVICE AND COST PRIOR TO OUR INVOLVEMENT:

• Solid Waste:
  • One vendor-owned 25-yard compactor serviced once per week
  • One 2-yard container serviced three times per week
• Recycling:
  • 60” vertical baler for OCC only, with no reporting of weights or rebates
• Manufacturing Waste:
  • General waste, silicon, steel, film, fiber purging, purging pails/lids

OBJECTIVES:

• Divert all recoverable materials from the waste stream
  • Aim to maximize the recycling and reuse of materials to reduce landfill waste.
• Reduce the number of hauls on the compactor for MSW
  • Optimize waste compactor usage to decrease service frequency and costs.
• Drive down pricing for disposal and transportation
  • Negotiate better pricing to lower overall waste management expenses.
• Renegotiate and recontract services with site-preferred waste hauler
  • Establish more favorable contracts with waste haulers to enhance service efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

SOLUTION:

DWS, in collaboration with their recycling partner RPM, implemented a comprehensive recycling program that offered rebates for most recyclable materials. Although some materials had zero resale value, their removal from the waste stream resulted in significant cost savings. This strategic approach not only improved recycling efforts but also optimized waste management costs.

OUTCOME:

• Initial (Average Monthly | Annual):
  • Volume in Tons: 18.89 | 226.68
  • Expense: $5,556.79 | $66,681.48
• Post-Solution (Average Monthly | Annual):
  • Volume in Tons: 11.19 | 134.28
  • Expense: $1,437.61 | $17,251.32
• Average Savings: $3,493.30 monthly | $41,919.60 annually

DWS increased the landfill diversion rate while saving the facility $42,000 annually. This resulted in a 74% reduction in net costs from waste and recycling streams, showcasing the effectiveness of the implemented waste management strategies.