INTRODUCTION

To emphasize and reinforce the social, economic and environmental importance of source reduction, the County of Passaic has instituted an official policy which favors the reduction of waste producing practices, the purchase of recycled and recyclable products and the environment for prudent product use.

By setting standards for these procedures and practices in high profile areas such as County government, it is our determination to advance an efficient solid waste management program.

GENERAL REUSE AND SOURCE REDUCTION

1. The County resolves to upgrade all copiers to assure double sided copying capabilities.

2. All copy work will be done double sided wherever possible.

4. Reusable items are to be employed such as multi-addressable envelopes for internal mail and permanent or reusable packaging materials whenever possible.

5. Life cycle costing will be considered with the intent of choosing more durable products and materials.

6. All landscaping work will incorporate the practices used in the Passaic County Yard-fest yard waste management programs such as leaving grass clippings on lawn areas, adjusting fertilizing procedures, chipping brush for use as mulch, composting leaves and composting food scraps wherever feasible.

7. A waste reduction survey as part of a comprehensive waste audit will be conducted in each facility to assist in eliminating high waste generating products and practices.

a. Eliminating the use of yellow legal pads and other low value colored paper stock or cutting their use to a minimum.

b. Determining which supplies are over packaged or packaged in non- recyclable materials in order to determine alternatives.

c. Pinpointing materials and supplies which are single use or disposable for replacement with multi-use items such as:

• Typewriter ribbons
• Laser printer cartridges
• Batteries
• Water and coffee cups
• Towels
• Envelopes

d. Establishing improved maintenance scheduling to extend the life of equipment and machinery.

e. Reviewing subscriptions to all periodicals on a yearly basis, canceling those which are unnecessary or not utilized.

f. Maintaining central files rather than multiple files.

g. Routing one memo to all staff rather than making multiple copies.

INTERNAL AUDITING

It will be an ongoing concern of Passaic County to evaluate waste reduction policies and guidelines on a continuing basis to remain current with new technology, products and techniques.

1. Establishing monitoring procedures to advance the program.

2. Reviewing the progress of eliminating single-use items, non- recyclable materials, waste saving practices and so forth in order to continue to reduce solid waste.

3. Evaluating the level of participation and effectiveness of the program.

4. Determining the financial impact and resource efficiency of the program.

5. Periodically reporting to the governing body on the overall program.

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