Massachusetts organizations recognized by EPA for waste reduction achievements

Two Massachusetts organizations are among the 2019 winners of the National WasteWise Awards announced April 20 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA’s WasteWise program is designed to encourage organizations and businesses to achieve sustainability in their practices and reduce select industrial wastes. Participants in the program work to prevent and divert waste that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills or incinerated.

Of the 2019 awardees, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Boston (BIDMC) was recognized as a Partner of the Year in the Non-profit Organization category, and Home Market Foods of Norwood was recognized as the Honorable Mention in the Small Business category.

Recognized for their efforts documented in 2018, EPA WasteWise partners, including today's award winners, collectively reported preventing and diverting more than 1.9 million tons of municipal solid waste that would otherwise be disposed in landfills or incinerated, saving close to 100 million dollars in avoided landfill tipping fees.

"As we begin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, it is fitting to highlight these WasteWise partners for their dedication to waste reduction, environmental stewardship and sustainable materials management," says EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "These efforts not only provide environmental and cost savings benefits, but they also increase the efficiency of these businesses and organizations positioning them for greater success."

In 2018, BIDMC tracked and reduced 18 waste streams that resulted in diverting 3,610 tons from waste-to-energy incineration, while a newly-hired sustainability program manager helped facilitate more accurate measurements and further waste reductions. In addition, the medical center’s waste reduction programs targeted excess packaging, disposable batteries, laboratory waste, office supplies, single-use medical devices and operating room surgical trays.

For Home Market Foods, the grocery store’s accomplishments included increasing its waste diversion rate from 61 percent in 2012 to 93 percent in 2018, as well as participating in community outreach by donating 150 tons of food to a local food bank.

"EPA is proud of these Massachusetts organizations who have stepped up and are setting a great example for other businesses and institutions to help the environment by employing sound practices," says EPA New England Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel.