Western Fuels Fleet With Renewable Natural Gas
Carbon intensity for renewable natural gas derived from wastewater recovery is 3-fold less than for diesel.
Environmental Costs of Online Shopping
Virtually all of us at one time or another have enjoyed the convenience and ease of online shopping to purchase everything from toothpaste to mattresses. With companies such as Amazon, Instacart, Blue Apron, in addition to the online options from traditional retailers, Americans spent over $500 billion in online purchases in 2018. However, this convenience…
Food For Thought
Over the past decade, composting has shed its hippie-lifestyle image and become a mainstay in government policy efforts to increase diversion rates and reduce greenhouse gas emmissions. Composting is an important piece of the puzzle in diversion from landfills and overall climate stewardship, but isn’t the best use of our excess and uneaten food. By…
The Modern Landfill
When it comes to sustainability, the role of the landfill is most often portrayed in unflattering terms. Over the past 30 years the drive to divert material from the landfill has changed the template of recycling. From dual stream bin collection to commingled carts, more and more materials have been incorporated as acceptable items as…
Greening the St. Vrain Valley School District
If the St. Vrain Valley Schools were a city, its student and staff population of more than 38,000 would put it among the 25 largest in the state. As with any population this size, resource stewardship is important both fiscally and environmentally. Laurel Mattrey, St. Vrain’s Energy and Sustainability Manager, shares that school district leadership…
Electronics Recycling
Where is your stash — In a closet? On a garage shelf? Down in the basement? Most of us have an area in the house where outdated electronics accumulate. When you decide to clear the clutter, be sure to do so responsibly. In 2013, the state of Colorado passed the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act prohibiting…
Pollinator Project
Earth Day and Beyond Every year for the past 49 years, Earth Day has been observed around the world as a way to raise global ecological awareness. Observed in 192 countries, it is now the largest civic-focused day of action in the world. This year’s theme is “Protect our Species”. And while we here in…
Western Disposal Runs on Clean Burning Fuel
As of the end of 2018, we have forty-seven trucks – that’s 78% of our collection fleet – running on this clean burning CNG fuel.
Construction and Demolition Diversion Challenges
Across the Front Range, surging economic and population growth have stimulated the construction industry. New homes, apartment complexes and buildings are being built while older buildings are being removed or renovated. This construction activity generates jobs, homes, and offices, but at the same time, generates a significant amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Keeping…
Waste Tires and Paint – Colorado Product Stewardship Successes
Product Stewardship, the practice of minimizing the health, safety and environmental impact of products across their entire life cycle while also maximizing economic benefits, is receiving increasing attention in both the public and private sectors. But years before the term was common in waste management vernacular, stewards of public health recognized the threat that certain…
