1. Have a recycling contract in place
2. Educate employees about recycling on a regular/recurring basis
3. Post signage to help patrons and employees properly utilize recycling/composting/waste services
4. Offer source-separated recycling for employees and patrons
5. Follow the City's "no organics in dumpster" regulation

The City’s waste and recycling ordinances require that commercial properties implement certain practices. To fulfill this action, your property must follow the ordinance requirements listed above; each of these items is required by law, and should already be in place at your business. For example, the City regulates against disposing of grindable food waste in licensed commercial dumpsters; food establishments should be equipped with garbage disposals to process food waste, or have a contract with a compost collection service as an alternative.

Performing a comprehensive waste audit – tracking and documenting how much and what type of waste you’re generating – is a necessary component of achieving a higher waste diversion rate. Conducting a waste audit will better inform your Zero Waste goals, shedding light on what solutions are working for your building and where there’s room for improvement. Achieving a higher diversion rate saves money on waste collection services, reduces environmental impact, and elevates your business or organization to a higher tier of Partnership.

Composting is an easy way to recycle your organic waste – including food scraps and yard waste – and keep it out of the landfill. Commercial food services are already required to keep food scraps out of the dumpster, and composting provides a disposal alternative that benefits other local organizations. Refer to the Commercial Waste Report Guide for some tips on starting a composting program, and a directory of local composting services. Whether you’re a restaurant facing large amounts of food waste every day, or an office that collects some food scraps at lunch time, composting on any scale is a great way to improve your building’s waste diversion rate.

To check-off this action, your property can incorporate one or several Zero Waste initiatives. Your workplace can host a special materials recycling drive, collecting anything from e-waste to clothing. If your workplace serves as a special materials recycling drop-off location on a regular basis, you have also fulfilled this action. Alternatively, you may choose to donate excess packaged or prepared food, stock, and/or supplies to local organizations on a regular basis.

Choose to reduce waste from the materials that are commonly used at your place of business, whether they be office supplies, packaging, or service ware. Phase-out single-use materials that are bound for the landfill, and encourage reuse and waste diversion. Encourage your team members and patrons to bring their own reusable cup or bottle, and stop providing paper coffee cups in the break room. Or, make the switch to compostable take out containers and paper bags instead of polystyrene products and plastic bags.