NAU Country Insurance Company, located in Ramsey, is a federal crop insurance provider. They were excited to take on new recycling programs, including adding organics.
Camille Johnson, Senior Administrative Assistant, worked closely with Waste Wise to figure out what opportunities their office had to reduce waste and decided that they wanted to start an organics program to collect waste in their breakrooms, lunch rooms, and restrooms, and better collect standard recyclables throughout their office. They utilized grant funds to get color-coded bins and compostable service ware, and bin liners to get started.
“Originally, we just had cardboard and trash dumpsters, then went to single stream recycling—we weren’t even recycling cans and bottles before,” Camille noted. “When we changed over, now our recycling is overflowing, and we upgraded our dumpster so it is picked up more often.” In addition to their improved recycling, they are diverting an estimated 1,648 pounds of organics from the landfill each year. “Everyone is impressed!” she noted. “At a lunch recently, our President was surprised and happy that everything from lunch plates, utensils, and food could go into the organics bin. The program has gotten a really good reception!”