Argonne recycling wins state recognition

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 30, 2004) — In 1993, Argonne National Laboratory's Illinois site disposed of almost 3,700 metric tons of sanitary waste. In 2003, because of recycling and reuse efforts, that amount was down to just 36 metric tons. In recognition of this and other effective pollution controls, Argonne was presented the 2004 state award for “Outstanding Government Leadership” in recycling.

The award was sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the Illinois Recycling Association.

Barbara Markwenas, Argonne's pollution prevention coordinator, said the award was well deserved.

“We've dramatically decreased the amount of waste we have to get rid of,” she said. “Since the initiatives began in 1996, we've saved about $12 million — we don't have to pay as much to send trash to landfills, and by reusing materials we buy less.”

The strongest impetus for Argonne's recycling efforts was a 1996 government mandate that each U.S. Department of Energy facility reduce its regulated waste streams.  For example, the government called for a 50 percent reduction in sanitary (non-hazardous) waste by 2005.

“We've already surpassed that — we're at 77 percent,” said Markwenas. Sanitary waste includes paper, toner cartridges, scrap metal and even asphalt and concrete. She said Argonne not only reduces, recycles and reuses, but also resells items such as metal and rubber for added revenue.

Michael Mitchell, executive director of the Illinois Recycling Association, said Argonne 's 77 percent reduction in sanitary waste was remarkable. “State regulations dictate 33 percent recycling or better. Anything over 50 percent is extremely impressive.”

Markwenas suggested that Argonne 's success was due to a culture of cooperation. Upper management provided immediate support, she said, and quarterly advisory meetings allowed the laboratory's Pollution Prevention Program to get the word out.

“We'll do a pollution waste assessment where we look for ways to reduce waste while maintaining quality,” Markwenas said. “By recycling and reusing raw materials, we can find cost savings without sacrificing efficiency.”

She said it's not surprising that Argonne groups have been so receptive to the pollution prevention message.

Argonne National Laboratory brings the world's brightest scientists and engineers together to find exciting and creative new solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

For more information, please contact Catherine Foster (630/252-5580 or media@anl.gov) at Argonne.