There are endless ways to help protect the environment, whether it’s recycling pop cans or using energy-efficient light bulbs around the house. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes began initiatives like these several years ago when they swapped out traditional light bulbs for LED bulbs in all of its holiday décor. Last June, the organization launched a new energy-saving waste management program throughout the entire property, replacing open-top Dumpsters with six solar-powered trash compactors and adding single-stream, solar-powered recycling units. “We’re the first retail mall to have them, and we’d like to lead the market in future initiatives,” The Shoppes’ marketing director Jennie Zafft says.
The old recycling bins only processed cardboard and paper, but the new system allows for cardboard, paper, cans and bottles. The new units can store up to four times the volume as the old Dumpsters, which reduces the number of pick-up times by more than half. With the previous waste management system, the Dumpsters had to be emptied as often as five times per week. Now the units are emptied just twice weekly, meaning there are fewer trucks out on the road, decreasing labor and fuel costs. The new pick-up schedule saves about 2,000 gallons of gasoline per truck each year and drastically reduces fuel emissions.
Currently, The Shoppes has a BigBelly solar trash compactor connected to the property’s consumer recycling unit. BigBelly cuts down on emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Zafft says the hope is to continue to expand these initiatives so that all businesses, restaurants and shoppers can take full advantage of the new program.
