Last fall, Recycle at Work, a recycling program fueled by Metro and local partners, offered a bike raffle as a way to recognize companies that participated in a waste reduction consultation. Led by regional sustainability advisors, these consultations illustrated how business of all sizes could cut back on workplace waste. From a simple composting bucket in the staff kitchen to the elimination of non-resusible coffee cups, each business in the running made unique changes following their consultation. Local online store CD Baby won the raffle drawing, leaving its staff with both a brand-new set of wheels and increased awareness in waste reduction at work.
CD Baby’s Megan Flynn says the business' 119 employees learned a lesson in responsibility when it came to their own personal waste. "We started composting for the first time," Flynn said. "That was definitely a big change for a lot of us." Additionally, the business added hand dryers in its bathrooms to reduce paper towel waste and began reusing packing peanuts in its shipping department.
But what will an online store of more than 100 employees do with its new bike? "Lunch bike rides," Flynn said. "We're right along a bike path, so I'm hoping staff can take turns getting some fresh air on their breaks."
Yvonne Garcia, the City of Portland’s sustainability advisor, worked closely with CD Baby to suggest ways the company could crack down on waste. "It just came down to talking things through with the staff, figuring out what could be reduced for both the employees and people who use the website." The biggest issues Garcia saw were a lack of clear signage for waste and recycling and a simple lack of information when dealing with waste reduction. "It just comes down to communication," Yvonne said "It's all downhill from there."