In February 2018, 555 California, San Francisco's largest office building, was diverting only 51% of its waste and facing a 50% surcharge from Recology San Francisco for failing waste audits. Great Forest consultants partnered with Vornado Realty Trust and ABM janitorial services to implement waste sorting procedures and launch an intensive tenant education program to improve upstream waste separation.
By May 2019, the diversion percentage had increased to85% which has been maintained since decreasing hauling costs by $10-12,000 per month from the inception of the programs.
Recology audits have found the building to be sending out waste with less than 10% contamination. 555 California adheres to San Francisco's Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance and is in compliance with the Large Refuse Generator ordinance.
The sorting team was first trained in March 2018 by the Great Forest consultant on “what-goes-where” and sorting techniques.
Seasonal “what-goes-where” training and an educational presentation are provided to tenants quarterly as well as at lunch n' learns throughout the year.
A multi-pronged approach to achieving greater diversion has been developed emphasizing implementation of centralized collection by tenants and usage of dishwashers.
"We are proud to have achieved TRUE Certification, the result of a long-term collaborative effort by our dedicated property management team, janitorial staff, zero waste consultant, landscapers, our environmentally conscious tenants and vendors," said Diana Rosenblatt, General Manager for 555 California Street Campus, Vornado Realty Trust. "This milestone demonstrates Vornado’s commitment to operational excellence and fostering a collaborative culture in the journey to zero waste."
Learn more about the facility's TRUE Certification in their case study and the Vornado Realty Trust 2023 Sustainability Report, on pages 58-59.