The document discusses the impacts of zero waste strategies on both the environment and business bottom lines. It notes that American industrial facilities generate over 7 billion tons of waste annually, while the average person produces 4.3 pounds of waste daily. Several companies that have implemented zero waste programs, such as GM, PepsiCo, Unilever, and P&G, have seen significant cost savings and revenue increases totaling in the billions of dollars. Recycling 75% of US waste could create 1.5 million new jobs by 2030 while reducing pollution and saving energy and water resources.

1. ZERO WASTE: IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT
AND THE BOTTOM LINE
NUMBERS
TO KNOW

2. American industrial facilities generate and dispose of approximately 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid
waste each year, according to the EPA.
Source: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/05/07/zero-waste-strategies-create-new-revenue-streams/#ixzz3YWVXwQW6

3. The average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day. This is 1.6 pounds more than most produced
back in 1960.
Source: https://center.sustainability.duke.edu/resources/green-facts-consumers/how-much-do-we-waste-daily

4. GM generated $2.5 billion in revenue between 2007 and 2010 through various recycling activities. One
example seen at Pontiac Metal Center in Michigan resulted in the generation of $7.5 million in recycling
revenue, including metals, in 2011 alone.
Source: http://www.gm.com/content/dam/gmcom/VISION/Environment/More_Environment/pdf/Landfill%20free%20blueprint%20_%20FINAL%205_28.pdf

5. In 2013, PepsiCo’s landfill elimination efforts enabled it to avoid $3 million in landfill costs,
while increasing revenue from recyclable and reusable materials diverted from landfills.
Source: http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste

6. According to Unilever, its waste diversion efforts have resulted in $225 million in savings while boosting
social enterprise projects and jobs.
Source: http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/02/unilever-zero-waste-program-saves-225-million-creating-jobs/

7. GM reduced program costs by 92 percent and total waste by 62 percent in its landfill-free journey.
Source: http://www.gm.com/content/dam/gmcom/VISION/Environment/More_Environment/pdf/Landfill%20free%20blueprint%20_%20FINAL%205_28.pdf

8. P&G’s zero waste program has returned $2 billion in savings back to the company since 2008.
Source: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/pg-and-sears-share-their-secrets-path-zero-waste

9. PepsiCo packaging-reduction initiatives conducted in 2013 eliminated nearly 110 million pounds of
packaging material from the market and reduced packaging costs by more than $55 million across
global food and beverage operations. Source: http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste

10. DuPont Building Innovations has slashed the annual amount of waste it sends to landfills from 81
million pounds to zero in three years.
Source: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/story/2012-01-29/dupont-zero-landfills/52873674/1

11. Walmart has achieved 82.4% waste diversion of the materials that flow through its stores, clubs and
U.S. distribution centers.
Source: http://www.corporatereport.com/walmart/2015/grr/2015_WALMART_GRR.pdf

12. Globally, 22 PepsiCo manufacturing facilities achieved the goal of zero waste sent to landfill and 48 have
achieved near-zero waste sent to landfill.
Source: http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste

13. Recycling 75 percent of the nation’s waste will create nearly 1.5 million jobs by 2030 while significantly
reducing pollution, saving water and energy, and building economically strong and healthy communities.
Source: http://www.nrdc.org/business/guides/recyclingreport.asp

14. Citations
American industrial facilities generate and dispose of approximately 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste each year, according to the EPA.
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2014/05/07/zero-waste-strategies-create-new-revenue-streams/#ixzz3YWVXwQW6
The average person generates 4.3 pounds of waste per day. This is 1.6 pounds more than most produced back in 1960.
https://center.sustainability.duke.edu/resources/green-facts-consumers/how-much-do-we-waste-daily
GM generated $2.5 billion in revenue between 2007 and 2010 through various recycling activities. One example seen at Pontiac Metal Center in Michigan resulted in
the generation of $7.5 million in recycling revenue, including metals, in 2011 alone.
http://www.gm.com/content/dam/gmcom/VISION/Environment/More_Environment/pdf/Landfill%20free%20blueprint%20_%20FINAL%205_28.pdf
In 2013, PepsiCo’s landfill elimination efforts enabled it to avoid $3 million in landfill costs, while increasing revenue from recyclable and reusable materials diverted
from landfills.
http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste
According to Unilever, its waste diversion efforts have resulted in $225 million in savings while boosting social enterprise projects and jobs.
http://www.triplepundit.com/2015/02/unilever-zero-waste-program-saves-225-million-creating-jobs/
GM reduced program costs by 92 percent and total waste by 62 percent in its landfill-free journey.
http://www.gm.com/content/dam/gmcom/VISION/Environment/More_Environment/pdf/Landfill%20free%20blueprint%20_%20FINAL%205_28.pdf
P&G’s zero waste program has returned $2 billion in savings back to the company since 2008.
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/pg-and-sears-share-their-secrets-path-zero-waste
PepsiCo packaging-reduction initiatives conducted in 2013 eliminated nearly 110 million pounds of packaging material from the market and reduced packaging costs by
more than $55 million across global food and beverage operations.
http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste
DuPont Building Innovations has slashed the annual amount of waste it sends to landfills from 81 million pounds to zero in three years.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/story/2012-01-29/dupont-zero-landfills/52873674/1
Walmart has achieved 82.4% waste diversion of the materials that flow through its stores, clubs and U.S. distribution centers.
http://www.corporatereport.com/walmart/2015/grr/2015_WALMART_GRR.pdf
Globally, 22 PepsiCo manufacturing facilities achieved the goal of zero waste sent to landfill and 48 have achieved near-zero waste sent to landfill.
http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Packaging-and-Waste
Recycling 75 percent of the nation’s waste will create nearly 1.5 million jobs by 2030 while significantly reducing pollution, saving water and energy, and building
economically strong and healthy communities
http://www.nrdc.org/business/guides/recyclingreport.asp

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