Case Study: Ben & Jerry's

Located in Georgetown, Ben & Jerry's is an ice cream store with headquarters in Vermont. This site has 45 employees who all participate in the recycling program. Ben and Jerry's motivation to recycle is built into the company's social mission. The company tries to be as environmentally conscious as possible; therefore, it was imperative to start a recycling program when the first store opened in the Washington area in 1989. From the start, metal, plastic, cardboard and glass have been recycled at all locations.

The most beneficial part of the program is that customers are excited about participating. In each of the stores, there are built-in wooden bins to collect the plastic spoons used by patrons. In fact, some regular customers now bring their plastics from other restaurants in the area to have Ben & Jerry's recycle them.

Materials Recycled: Plastic spoons, other plastics, cardboard
Cost Savings: Recycling saves money by diverting waste from regular trash disposal.
Waste Reduction: Includes double-sided copies, using other side of paper for scrap, and e-mail. Reusable espresso cups are for in-store customers. Plastic tubs/buckets and popsicle sticks are donated to school groups for use in crafts and gardening, and to greenhouses, where popsicle sticks serve as plant markers.
Buy Recycled: Fax paper, office paper, gift items (e.g., plastic frisbees), napkins
Education: During the first two days of training, new employees are told about the company's environmental involvement including recycling. The public sees permanent bins for plastic spoon recycling. A bulletin board in the store displays letters from headquarters.
Keys: Be sure one of the first things you tell your employees is how to recycle on the job. Be consistent. Get employees involved.
Challenges: Getting employees to do it right. Getting everything to go in the correct bin.
Hauler: Allen Services