Waste and Recycling

Statewide Waste Characterization

Client: Washington State Department of Ecology

Ecology commissioned Cascadia to conduct a four-season municipal solid waste characterization study during 2009-2010. The purpose of this study was to support Ecology’s Beyond Waste Initiative and conduct an in-depth examination of the materials and resources currently being disposed throughout the state. The report may be found here.

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Cascadia began to immediately overhaul the way Resource Venture services were marketed, delivered, and tracked; ultimately resulting in superior outcomes. Among the dramatic changes we noted were (1) an increased level of accountability; (2) a more strategic focus; and (3) service documentation that demonstrated a more effective and efficient program. In particular, Cascadia’s “targeting and tracking” database made it possible to focus on the biggest commercial resources users with the greatest potential for conservation, and then measure their progress over time. The program’s unique targeted approach is extremely cost-effective; Cascadia has helped reduce the City’s program costs from about $100/ton diverted in 2006 to about $45/ton in 2008.

- Phil Paschke, Seattle Public Utilities