Case Study: Reducing a Non-Profit's Carbon Footprint
the client
Our client - the Oakland branch of an international multi-service non-profit agency - impacts lives everyday. Through mostly private funding, it provides stable housing, outreach services, and skill building programs for at-risk and homeless youth.
the challenge
Although our client provided housing and warm meals, it lacked a recycling and compost system. BEACN’s goal was implementing a permanent and sustainable recycling and composting system so our client could make the same meaningful contributions to the environment as it does daily to the lives of its clients.
what we did
Following a detailed nine-month timeline, BEACN conducted a series of trash audits to quantify information about our client’s total waste disposable, such as volume, where most of the trash is generated, and how much could have been recycled or composted.
In light of our audit findings, we developed the following action steps:
- Recommended different sized recycling and compost bins
- Researched local waste pick up services
- Applied to grants for additional funding
- Developed and led informational workshops for our client and its residents
- Created and distributed educational flyers
- Received continual feedback from the staff and clients at our client site
- Monitored level of recycling and compost bins in comparison to our baseline data and both short and long term goals
Exhibit (mouseover to enlarge)
Exhibit: Waste Metrics
testimonial
"The BEACN team was instrumental in assisting us establish a much needed recycling program. The team was dedicated and willing to work around our program’s schedule and limitations. The project manager was communicative, patient, and an excellent organizer. We very much appreciate the team’s efforts."
"The team showed not only a commitment to environmental causes, but also great sensitivity to our non-profit program. They were willing to work hard for their cause, and they weren’t afraid (literally) to get their hands dirty. They worked well as a team and were friendly and positive with our staff, clients, as well as with each other."
