Who Can Join
Any Washtenaw County business, school, governmental agency or non-profit.
Qualify
Washtenaw County organizations that have waste management practices that incorporate the three key elements to a successful waste reduction and recycling program qualify.
The three key elements (referred to as the 3 Ps) are:
- Practice regular recycling and waste reduction within the organization including education of employees on how to recycle and reduce waste.
- What types of materials is the organization recycling? Is the organization reusing materials? What practices are being utilized by the organization to reduce solid waste? How does the organization communicate to its employees about recycling and waste reduction?
- Purchase recycled content products.
- What types of recycled-content products does the organization purchase? What is the post-consumer recycled content of the products that the organization purchases?
- Policy - Organization policies on recycling and waste reduction (may include energy conservation).
- Does the business have a company waste reduction and recycling policy? Does the business have a designated recycling coordinator? Are the business' employees informed of and/or updated on the company's recycling policy? Does the business offer incentives to employees to recycle?
When You Don't Meet Requirements
If your organization does not meet one (or all three) of the aforementioned program elements (3 Ps), it may qualify for a Certificate of Merit designation. A Certificate of Merit designation is a temporary partnership that acknowledges your organization's commitment to waste reduction and recycling and to making the necessary changes to become a full partner.
The Solid Waste Program offers free, non-regulatory waste assessments and program development assistance to help organizations become Waste Knot Partners. All it takes is a phone call or an email to get the process started!