March 30, 2012

Case Study: How White Castle Recycles Light Bulbs

White Castle

Copyright: White Castle

When you think of White Castle the first thing that probably comes to mind is little cheeseburgers. What you don’t see or hear about too often are some of the initiatives White Castle has in place to benefit the communities it operates in.

As lamp recycling laws and regulations continue to grow stricter, large companies like White Castle need to make sure they have the most efficient, and most cost effective, lamp recycling programs in place. With over 70 restaurants around Chicago, White Castle viewed this market as a great place to test a new lamp recycling program, EverMail.

For those who don’t know, EverMail is an easy to use mail-in recycling program with a one time payment that covers the cost of the container, shipping fees to and from EverLights and the recycling costs.

Because of the number of stores in the area, as well as the low number of lamps each store goes through, White Castle decided the EverMail program made the most sense for them. And they were right.

EverMail containers require minimum storage space and allow businesses to fill them at their own pace, rather than worrying about whether or not they have enough material to require a pickup.

It gives White Castle an easy to manage system for recycling light bulbs that didn’t exist within the company previously.

Before joining forces with EverLights, White Castle did not have a program set up to make the lamp recycling process as easy as possible on them. Since it started using the EverMail program in 2011, White Castle has recycled over 2,000 fluorescent lamps, with more being recycled each week. And it had no effect on the company’s day-to-day operations.

This is a great example of how a company of any size can spend a small amount of money to help keep residents in its communities safe and healthy.

If you’re interested in learning more about how your company can start using the EverMail program, send an email to info@everlights.com or call (877) 934-9873 today.

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Filed under Fluorescent Lamp Recycling

March 20, 2012

19 Things Your Company Should Be Recycling

These days it seems like every company is trying to go green, and we’ll be the first to back those efforts up. To prove how supportive we are, we decided to bring back our “Green Office Tip of the Week” segment this week to offer up our thoughts on how your company can improve its recycling efforts.

In order to do so, we’ve compiled a list of 19 things that your office can, and should, recycle. Recycling is the easiest way to go green. There are businesses around the country that will take pretty much any material from you, and some of them will even pay you for certain items. If you need help finding a place to recycle any of these materials, check out Earth911.com.

  • Light Bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Computers
  • Monitors
  • Printers
  • Televisions
  • Cell Phones
  • Newspaper
  • Printer Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Aluminum Cans                                      
  • Plastic Bottles
  • Glass
  • Wood, Bricks & Other Building Materials
  • Metal Scrap
  • Shipping Styrofoam
  • Ink Cartridges
  • Tires
  • Furniture
This list doesn’t even come close to covering everything that can be recycled or reused, but it should provide you with a good starting point to get your business on the right track.
If you’re looking to set up a recycling program for light bulbs, batteries or any of the electronics listed above, give EverLights a call. We have services for businesses of all sizes, and we would love to help you out.
If you’re really interested in going green, you might also want to consider purchasing products that are made from recycled materials. Companies like TerraCycle take your old trash and turn it into some pretty spectacular stuff.
Does your office recycle any other materials that didn’t make our list? Share it with us in the comments section and we’ll make sure to add it!

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March 13, 2012

E-Waste Recycling Red Flags

Think before you act. It’s a thought that is preached to us our entire lives by parents, teachers and pretty much anyone else we meet. As common as it is, we all still have the tendency to jump into things without thinking about the effect our decision can have.

This also holds true in the business world. When we see the opportunity to make our lives easier, it’s easy to dive right in without a second thought. Building managers, engineers and business owners will face a number of temptations as new e-waste recycling laws pop up around the country. In order to prevent you from giving in to those temptations, we’d like to provide a list of things to look for in an e-waste recycling company that should be considered “red flags.”

Paying for E-Waste

If your e-waste recycling company pays you for the materials you’re sending them, odds are little to nothing is actually being recycled. In order to comply with the new e-waste recycling laws, a lot of businesses will be tempted to work with a company that pays for the materials. The idea that you can follow the law and make money is too good to pass up, right?

While that may seem like a good idea, it almost guarantees that the e-waste will end up in the wrong place and will not be tracked properly. It also puts you at a higher risk of receiving one of the $7,000 fines that can now be handed out to businesses that fail to recycle e-waste. To avoid potential complications, it would be in your company’s best interest to stay away from this practice.

Accepting E-Waste for Free

This idea goes hand-in-hand with companies that pay for e-waste. People don’t always realize is that it costs money for a company to properly recycle the materials found in electronic equipment. While the end result of the process is obviously to make money, the recycling companies need to cover the costs of breaking down the equipment into useful materials. In order to cover those costs, recycling companies have to charge a small fee when accepting the materials from your business.If the materials are accepted for free, or are paid for, there is a good chance they’re ending up in landfills, incinerators or are sent overseas to be broken down at a low cost.

While paying for something you could get for free isn’t the most appealing idea, spending a little money on e-waste recycling could end up costing you less in the long run. Not only will paying the low cost to recycle save your business from any potential fines, you could also use your recycling certificate to position yourself as an environmentally friendly company.

Failure to Track E-Waste

If you’re going to spend the money to recycled your e-waste properly, you probably want to know where it goes and what’s done with it, right?

Any business can say it recycles all of its materials properly, but the only way to cover your tracks is to work with a company that will provide documents proving that your e-waste was recycled correctly. At the very least, you should receive a certificate of recycling each time you send electronics to a recycling company. This certificate will list what type of equipment was recycled, and how much of it there was.

The best e-waste recycling companies are those that take the process a step further. These companies will track the serial number on each piece of equipment so you can see exactly where it has been and where it is going. This not only gives your business the comfort of knowing all your information was erased properly, but it also provides you with proof that everything was recycled properly in case you’re ever questioned.

If the e-waste recycling company you work with falls under any of these three categories, you should consider other options. EverLights guarantees that all the e-waste it receives is processed in the United States and none of the materials are sent overseas. We have the ability to track all of your electronics and will always provide you with a certificate of recycling at the end of the process.

If you have any questions regarding e-waste, lamp, ballast or battery recycling, please feel free to call us at (877) 934-9873 or send an email to info@everlights.com. If you have anything else our readers should be on the lookout for, please feel free to share it in the comments section below. We would love to hear what you have to say!

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Filed under E-Waste Recycling

March 8, 2012

Can Light Bulb Recycling Improve Your Triple Bottom Line?

The short answer to that question is yes, recycling your light bulbs can improve your triple bottom line.

Mixed into the growing number of options for improving your company’s triple bottom line is something we consider a hidden gem. Light bulb recycling.

For those who don’t know, triple bottom line refers to people, planet and profit. Companies around the world are constantly tweaking their methods to improve their social reach and environmental impact, while simultaneously increasing profits. But how can recycling light bulbs, something businesses have to pay to do, improve all three aspects of your triple bottom line?

light bulb recycling

Via Recycle San Diego

People

It all starts with people. This aspect generally pertains to business practices that have a positive impact on the community and region in which a company conducts business. Giving back to the community and eliminating parts of your operation that are often frowned upon are good ways to position your company as one that cares about more than money. Without appealing to people, the potential for new customers is non-existent.

Setting up a program for recycling your light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to show your company is doing its part to improve the lives of the surrounding community. By throwing light bulbs in the trash, you are potentially creating a health risk. One light bulb breaking might not seem like the end of the world, and it’s not. Light bulbs accidentally break all the time. However, if enough businesses are careless with their light bulbs, the amount of mercury released has the potential to be harmful. Rather than position your company as one that has no regard for the well-being of the community, set up a recycling program. It’s easy, inexpensive and will do a lot to boost your company’s image.

Planet

It’s obvious how a light bulb recycling program can have a positive impact on this portion of the triple bottom line. Keeping fluorescent lights out of landfills eliminates the potential for mercury to be released into the air or our food and water supplies. In a world where “green” is quickly becoming the norm, businesses have to do everything they can to stay up to date with the latest trends. With recycling laws constantly being updated, it is one of the key areas they should be focused on.

But it’s not enough to just say that you recycle your light bulbs and other materials. Being able to prove that your company is environmentally responsible is a big part of improving the triple bottom line. EverLights, like most lamp recycling companies, will provide you with a certificate of recycling showing exactly what was recycled.

Profit

How light bulb recycling benefits both people and planet is easy to understand. Becoming environmentally friendly will lead people to think of your company as one that cares about the environment and the community it operates in. The hard part is convincing companies that paying the low cost for light bulb recycling can have a huge impact on the financial success of their business. There are a few ways you can turn that small amount of money spent into a noticeable profit.

When potential customers see a business that is putting forth the effort to improve the overall quality of their community, they will naturally become more interested in the company. Throw in the fact that what the business is doing will also help the environment and eliminate health risks, and you have a combination that can’t be beat. The interest that people and planet generate will inevitably lead to new leads and an increase in revenue.

The other way to increase your company’s profitability by recycling light bulbs is less direct than the first. Not complying with lamp recycling laws can lead to a fine up to $10,000. That $10,000 fine would be a huge hit for a lot of companies. Spending a small amount each year on lamp recycling will eliminate any risk your company has of receiving one of those fines, which will help keep your profits up.

Fluorescent light bulbs aren’t the only material your company should recycle to help improve its triple bottom line. You can recycle batteries, computer equipment, paper and countless other items. To find easy ways to dispose of those materials, head over to www.earth911.com. If you’re interested in setting up a light bulb recycling program for your company, contact us today at (877) 934-9873 or by email.

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Filed under Fluorescent Lamp Recycling

March 6, 2012

The Case For a Federal Lamp Recycling Law

Fluorescent lamp recycling laws already exist at the state level, and there are federal laws that include certain restrictions about how mercury-containing materials may be handled. What the United States is lacking, however, is a federal law that streamlines the recycling of fluorescent lamps and provides the same requirements for all businesses and institutions throughout the U.S.

EverLights, along with a handful of other companies across the U.S., is currently working toward creating that law. In order to develop the most effective law possible, we have been researching regulations in individual states, choosing the best aspects of each to combine into one federal law. So what is the reasoning behind our recent push for a federal lamp recycling law?

Health Issues

As an essential part of most energy-efficient lighting, mercury is found in large quantities around the world. It’s also found in batteries, thermostats, thermometers, electric switches, batteries and other measuring devices. While most of these products no longer require mercury to produce, there are plenty of older products that are still in need of disposal.

Mercury is highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. It is easily absorbed and can cause a handful of serious health problems. If mercury-containing products are disposed of properly, these potential health effects would not be an issue. Creating a law that mandates the proper disposal of mercury-containing products, including fluorescent lamps, would eliminate the worry of contamination and health concerns.

Rare Earth Metals

Yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, europium and terbium. All common household names, right? Probably not.

The shortage of rare earth metals like these is an issue that does not receive the attention it should. Found in new energy-efficient lighting, the value of these rare earth elements makes it a priority to recover them from recycled lighting. Their recovery will help alleviate potential supply restrictions that have been identified by the U.S. Department of Energy. Without proper regulation, mercury and rare earth elements found in fluorescent lamps can be released into the environment and lost forever.

Energy Efficient Lighting Regulations

Thanks to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, incandescent lighting will slowly be phased out and eventually become almost non-existent. In order to fill the need for replacement lighting, more fluorescent lamps will need to be purchased. This will have a significant impact on the number of lamps that will need to be recycled.

Fluorescent lamp recycling process

Via EMCCHawaii.com

What Will the New Law Do?

Enough about why there needs to be a federal law in place. Let’s talk about what this lamp recycling law will have to do in order to benefit the country as a whole.

  1. Disposal – As a result of this new act, no business will be allowed to knowingly or intentionally dispose of a mercury-containing lamp unless it is sent to a certified lamp recycling facility.
  2. Lamp Management – Requirements for the handling of fluorescent lamps will include waste management and storage, labeling and marking, accumulation time limits, employee training, response to releases, shipments to collectors or destination facilities, tracking shipments and reporting by collectors and destination facilities.
  3. Penalties – If enacted, failure to comply with this law can result in a civil penalty up to $10,000, an order requiring immediate compliance or a civil action in the U.S. district court in the district in which the violation occurred.

While work on this lamp recycling legislation is still in the early stages, we believe the law can gain a lot of traction and fully expect to see it unfold in the coming years. A federal law would make lamp recycling easier to control and would make the process more efficient.

If you’re interested in setting up a program to recycle your fluorescent lamps, EverLights can help you get started. Give us a call at (877) 934-9873, visit our website or read our post detailing 7 easy steps to create a lamp recycling program.

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Filed under Fluorescent Lamp Recycling, News Stories

March 1, 2012

What EverLights is Doing to Give Back

EverLights has always made it a top priority to get involved and give back to the community we’re so lucky to be a part of. One of the best ways we’ve found to do that is by working with local organizations such as the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago).

BOMA/Chicago offers a variety of opportunities to participate, including committees, fundraising events and networking events. I recently decided to get in on the action by joining the Diversity and Social Responsibility Committee (DSRC).

The main goal of the DSRC is to promote diversity as a solid business practice. As a female owner of a small business, I understand the challenges that a minority owned business has to overcome. With over 16 years of experience running a business, working with a committee to promote diversity was an easy choice.

Simply joining a committee is great, but the only way to truly accomplish something is to be as active as possible within that committee. So I took it upon myself to join the Civic & Charitable Initiatives (CCI) Task Force as well. What better way to show the people of Chicago we appreciate them than to help design and improve programs that are directed at providing assistance for those in need. This year, the CCI Task Force is taking on two major projects and working to make them more successful.

We will be working with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) Holiday Food Drive, which provides over 30,000 meals to hungry Chicagoans each year. With a task force as capable as this, and the support of so many business around Chicago already, there is no doubt we can make the 2012 GCFD Holiday Food Drive the most successful yet.


We will also be working with LifeSource on its “Skyscrapers For Life” blood donation campaign. The goal of this project is to save as many lives as possible by collecting blood from donors around the city. It’s been a huge success in past years, and we’re looking forward to being a part of it this year.

I am truly excited about the opportunity to work with a committee and task force that are so passionate about working with the community and improving the lives of others. This is a great time to be a member of BOMA/Chicago, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

- Kelly Aaron, President, EverLights

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February 28, 2012

4 Easy Steps for Reducing Energy Costs

Take a second to think about all the energy your office wastes on a daily basis. Leaving office and kitchen lights on when nobody is in the room, letting appliances stay on all day and forgetting to turn your computer off at night are just a few of the big energy wasters.

There are two key reasons your company should be worried about the energy it wastes. For those who worry about financial stability, the increasing cost of energy has a negative impact on profits and personal wealth. If you’re the type who cares about the environment and keeping the planet healthy, then you should be concerned with the amount of greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere as a result of energy consumption. If you care about both (as you should), then pay close attention to these four steps.

1. Measure Energy Consumption

As is the case with any plan, it’s important to have a reference point to look back at to see if there has been any improvement. There are a few options you can use to establish benchmarks for your energy reduction efforts. Performing an energy audit is the quickest, simplest way to discover how much energy your office uses on a regular basis. There are companies, like EverLights, that will come to your facility and do a walk through to determine how much energy is being used. The company will provide options that can be implemented at your office to begin reducing energy consumption. These can include energy efficient lighting, energy saving power strips and lighting wall switch sensors. If you’d like to determine your own energy use, try this easy to use formula for estimating energy consumption.

2. Sweat The Small Stuff

Start off small by improving on the easy to manage areas. Things like switching computers off at night, turning the lights off when everybody leaves a room and unplugging appliances that aren’t in use can lead to significant improvements. The NRDC provides a great list of energy saving tips that you should take a look at before deciding what your best options are. Try these practices for a month or two. If  your company wants to save even more money, there are a few bigger options to consider.

3. Lighting Retrofits

The savings that are seen by eliminating some of the smaller energy consumers may not always be enough for businesses. If your business is looking to save a lot of money, it’s time to consider bigger changes. Updating and automating the lighting in your office is one of the most effective ways to save money. Lighting technologies are constantly improving, and switching to more efficient fluorescent lighting or LED lighting can provide huge savings. While it’s a big investment, the payback on these retrofit projects will more than make up for the initial costs.

To get the most out of a lighting retrofit, it would be in your best interest to include automated light switches. These motion sensor switches turn on when someone enters the room and the lights will turn themselves off when the room is empty.

4. Monitor 

Like you would do for any project, it’s important to monitor the energy consumption once you’ve made the changes. During the months following the updates, compare your energy consumption to the numbers you came up with at the beginning of the project. If you stick to the plan and make the changes we described, you should see a significant decrease in energy spending. That means more money for improving other aspects of your business, or more money in your pocket at the end of the year. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?

Bonus Step

If you decide to update the lighting in your office, make sure you handle your old lighting properly. Because of the toxic materials found in them, businesses are required to recycle fluorescent lamps. EverLights provides recycling services for lamps and ballasts, and can answer any questions you might have. Give us a call at 773-734-9873 or send an email to info@everlights.com to find out more about how we can help you go green.

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Filed under Green Office Tip of the Week