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Materials

NREL's internal goal is Near-Zero Waste, which involves working to eliminate the Laboratory's waste stream. It is also the next step in holistically coordinating and managing our reduce, recycling, reuse and green purchasing activities to enhance overall effectiveness. This goal is also a way for the Laboratory to manage operating costs.

To achieve this goal, metrics are essential. The following graph depicts the metrics for the relative quantities of recycled materials and waste that NREL generated in 2005. Note that the figure includes estimates and the weight or volume of the packaging material as well as the waste itself.

Figure 1 showing NREL's total waste stream in 2005. NREL's total waste stream consisted of 305,901 pounds of solid waste disposal, 14,560 pounds of cardboard, 122,360 pounds of anything that tears, and 27,518 pounds of commingled containers.
For a larger view of the chart (MS Excel 131 KB).

Learn more about our current activities in:
Green purchasing
Recycling
Reuse
Reduce
New construction

Current Activities

NREL's current activities under its Near-Zero Waste goal include:

  • Green Purchasing. NREL has implemented several green purchasing activities:

    • Office supplies. NREL has an online purchasing capability, and green purchases are flagged in this system. NREL and its supplier are in the process of developing an online catalog composed solely of environmentally preferable (recycled content) products. The vendor has approximately 2,500 recycled items in its online catalog. The online system will automatically default to recycled products.
    • Electronic purchase card system. Green purchasing was integral to NREL's decision to create an electronic purchase card system in FY05. The system tracks metrics on green purchases made at the Laboratory and encourages staff to purchase green products whenever possible.

    • Office paper/toner cartridges/carpet. Since 1999, 100% of all carpet, toner cartridges, and office paper purchased by NREL have contained recycled content. The graphic above provides the purchasing data for FY05.

      • A chart showing laboratory purchase of recycled materials from fiscal year 1999 to 2005. Fiscal year 2001 data is not available. It represents 100% of purchases made at the laboratory. In fiscal year 1999, NREL purchased close to $90,000 of recycled carpet (9% of purchases), more than $80,000 of recycled toner cartridges (22% of purchases), and close to $60,000 of recycled office paper (59% of purchases). In fiscal year 2000, NREL purchased around $100,000 of recycled carpet (15% of purchases), more than $80,000 of recycled toner cartridges (25% of purchases), and around $60,000 of recycled office paper (60% of purchases). In fiscal year 2002, NREL purchased more than $70,000 of recycled toner cartridges (30% of purchases) and close to $50,000 of recycled office paper (48% of purchases). In fiscal year 2003, NREL purchased more than $90,000 of recycled carpet (26% of purchases), close to $70,000 of recycled toner cartridges (30% of purchases), and close to $40,000 of recycled office paper (39% of purchases). In fiscal year 2004, NREL purchased close to $70,000 of recycled toner cartridges (29% of purchases), and slightly more than $40,000 of recycled office paper (41% of purchases). In fiscal year 2005, NREL purchased more than $60,000 of recycled toner cartridges (18% of purchases), and close to $50,000 of recycled office paper (45% of purchases).
      For a larger view of the chart (MS Excel 35.5 MB).

    • Recycling. NREL has established a Recycling Advisory Committee composed of staff from various departments around the Laboratory. The committee oversees the recycling activities and makes recommendations for improvements to the recycling system.

      NREL currently has a recycling station in each building for the common office materials. Materials recycled include mixed office paper; commingled glass; plastic; aluminum cans; corrugated cardboard; foam packing material; batteries; scrap metal; computer monitors; printer toner cartridges; and fluorescent light bulbs. NREL-wide recycling metrics illustrate how much and what materials the Laboratory is recycling.

      • A chart that shows NREL recycling data from fiscal year 2002 to 2005. In fiscal year 2002, NREL recycled 210,788 pounds of materials, including: 23,400 pounds of cardboard, 164,958 pounds of anything that tears, and 22,430 pounds of commingled containers (plastic, aluminum, glass). In fiscal year 2003, NREL recycled 236,128 pounds of materials, including: 24,300 pounds of cardboard, 186,182 pounds of anything that tears, and 25,646 pounds of commingled containers (plastic, aluminum, glass). In fiscal year 2004, NREL recycled 180,636 pounds of materials, including: 23,400 pounds of cardboard, 128,032 pounds of anything that tears, and 29,204 pounds of commingled containers (plastic, aluminum, glass). In fiscal year 2005, NREL recycled 164,488 pounds of materials, including: 14,580 pounds of cardboard, 122,390 pounds of anything that tears, and 27,518 pounds of commingled containers (plastic, aluminum, glass).
      For a larger view of the chart (MS Excel 113 KB).

    • Reuse. NREL has established a Reusable Office Supply Center. It has been centrally located in one of our buildings. Staff is "free to take any office supplies needed." Staff is also encouraged to drop off any new or "good as new" items.

    • Reduce. NREL has multiple ongoing activities designed to reduce material use. Electronic communications and publications replace paper. Duplex modules were installed on all 77 network printers, which default to the double-sided printing option. Staff reuses cardboard boxes, packing peanuts, plastic containers, and drums. NREL's Chemical Management System facilitates sharing chemicals and redistribution of extra chemicals.

    • New Construction Activity. New construction offers several materials related opportunities including green purchasing and recycling. NREL's new 70,000 square-foot Science and Technology Facility (S&TF) was designed and constructed at the Leadership in Environment and Energy Design (LEED's) Gold Level. The Laboratory received LEED's points for its materials management.

      In the contract with the construction company, NREL required green purchasing for as many building materials as possible. At least 5% of the total value of materials used in the project contained recycled content, and at least 20% of the total value of the materials and products used were manufactured regionally within a 500-mile radius of NREL.

      The construction contractor at our Science and Technology Facility was also required to recycle all possible construction materials, so building could meet the LEED's Gold Level standard. In 2005, the contractor recycled about 75% of the total waste from the project. This waste included paper, scrap metals, wood, and concrete.
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