Solid Waste Management

For more than 30 years, Franklin Associates, a division of ERG, has characterized the generation and disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States. These data are invaluable for solid waste planning and are used extensively by the public and private sector. Each characterization study analyzes the quantity and composition of the municipal solid waste stream, including how much MSW is generated, recycled, combusted, and disposed of. The report also includes a breakdown of materials and products found in the waste stream, as well as an analysis of trends in MSW management. From ERG’s work, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes a series of reports titled "Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: Facts and Figures."

An outreach campaign coordinated by ERG has been instrumental in boosting recycling rates at EPA’s facilities in the Washington, DC, area. ERG developed the campaign theme, “Bin There, Done That?” to educate EPA facility managers and employees about a new recycling program at the agency’s headquarters facilities. As part of the campaign, ERG designed new collection containers; developed educational posters; produced animated video spots; designed and developed a new section of EPA’s intranet site; launched a kickoff event in each building; developed a guidance manual for facility managers; and assisted with recycling pilot tests and demonstrations of nontraditional materials. ERG also created and illustrated a recycling mascot named Slim Bin, designed to look like one of the mixed office paper recycling bins.

The WasteWise program was among the very first voluntary partnership programs created by EPA to encourage environmental stewardship in the private and public sectors. ERG helped create and implement this successful program, which has reduced millions of tons of municipal solid waste in the United States through recycling, reducing waste, and purchasing recycled content products. ERG provided comprehensive program development, outreach, technical, and logistical support for this national program, including partner recruitment and assistance, marketing support, Web site development, program materials development, and conference and meeting support.

The federal government purchases billions of dollars worth of information technology equipment and services each year—all of which can have significant environmental impacts. ERG provided comprehensive outreach and communications support to the Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC), which helps federal agencies and facilities become leaders in electronics stewardship. ERG has conducted strategic meeting planning for FEC; developed fact sheets, brochures, and articles; supported an awards program and annual workshops; created posters and an e-newsletter for partners; and developed training materials.