There is a recycling revolution happening at Kamehameha Schools’ Honolulu headquarters that is pushing the office complex closer to zero waste every day.
The Kawaiahaʻo Plaza Zero Waste program launched in June, and is aimed lowering the volume of waste coming out of the complex through eco-friendly initiatives. A recent waste audit revealed that 89 percent of waste generated by KP goes to landfills or incineration.
Just two months into the program, KS had piloted a paper, glass and plastic recycling program for the two-building complex which houses more than 700 staffers. Also, more than 4,300 pounds of office furniture and supplies were saved from being buried or burned through reuse and donations.
Here are some of the efforts that spurred the KP recycling revolution:
The EZ Recycling Pilot
Unlined recycling bins were placed under desks to collect office paper, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic containers. Staff members empty the recyclables into centrally located bins. Custodians remove the recyclables daily and take them to an on-site recycling dumpster.
“We are on our way to zero waste at KP thanks to the incredible support from our staff,” says KS Sustainability Manager Amy Brinker. “Our recycling pilot has been so successful, that work is underway to make it a permanent system.”
The Donation Station
Nearly 100 KP staffers relocated offices recently, purging their spaces of unwanted office supplies and furniture.
Brinker worked with the building management to set up a Donation Station to receive the unwanted items, then opened it up to all KP employees to “shop” in. Dozens of staffers scored gently used chairs, electronics, binders and more. Faculty members from Hawaiian-focused charter schools were also invited to take their pick of the office items.
“The donation program was an overwhelming success and many have asked about expanding the program,” says Brinker. “ It not only helped departments save money on office supplies but also put smiles on the faces of ‘shoppers’ in our educational network including Kaiapuni O Ānuenue, Ka Waihona O ka Naʻauao, Kamaile Academy, and Hālau Kū Māna public charter schools.”
If Can, Flip Can
One KP department went the extra mile to be eco-conscious. The Business Technology Services team started an “If Can, Flip Can,” effort to reduce trash bag waste.
“One afternoon, my co-worker, said it was a shame that a custodian just threw away his trash bag with only a small wrapper in it,” says Senior Applications Engineer Brook Gonsowski. “So we decided to share our trash cans to reduce trash bag usage. We flipped over the unused cans as a message to custodians not to replace the bag.
“We hope to help the ʻāina by reducing the amount of waste we generate and allow KS to invest more money in our keiki rather than maintenance supplies.”
You Can Flip Can!
- Partner up with one or more people in your work area. The more the better.
- Designate one shared trash can.
- Flip over the other cans so custodians do not change the bags.
KS Information Services and Management staffers Keoni Kaneakua and Roy Tsukiyama helped recycle more than 700 pounds of maps.
Hoʻoulu Hawaiian Data Center staffer Elijah Frost empties his recyclables into a centrally located bin.
The KS Business Technology Services team started an “If Can, Flip Can,” effort to reduce trash bag waste.
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