Impact Report
The Waste Management Initiative was established to equip businesses with the infrastructure, resources, and guidance needed to improve their waste disposal and recycling practices. This report presents early impact data collected from two participating businesses. We documented measurable outcomes and qualitative shifts observed in day-to-day operations.
Our Targets
We gathered data from two distinct businesses that Renewable Roots worked with to ensure diversity: a large port and terminal facility (SSA Marines), and a foam manufacturing company (Invicta Foams).
SSA Marines
SSA Marines introduced a Trash Bin Service Check List across five designated stations covering their key operational areas: the Clerk Office, Shed 7, 18 Union Hall, Shed 2A, and the Millwrights Shop. Each station was equipped with multiple labelled bins (Bins A, B, and C where applicable), giving the team a system for tracking bin status (empty, half full, or full), trash bag changes, and service dates at every location.
The check list is supported by a detailed Trash Bin Location Map, which plots each of the five stations across the facility grounds, making it easy for staff to locate and service bins consistently. Station locations were selected based on foot traffic and operational activity, with some requiring coordination beforehand, such as Station 5 inside the Millwrights Shop, which requires contacting the site supervisor prior to servicing.
This system replaced informal, aggregate waste collection with a traceable routine, providing the facility with a clear baseline to measure against going forward.
Invicta Foams
Over their first weeks on the initiative, Invicta Foams reported strong results across every area tracked. Recycling bins were emptied 4 times, averaging twice per week, while garbage bins were emptied 2 times, averaging once per week, reflecting their effort to separate waste rather than send everything to general disposal. The team dedicated 14 hours to sweeping and maintenance over the period, averaging 1 hour per day across approximately 2,000 square feet of workspace. On the shipping side, they transitioned to the provided eco-friendly packing materials for nearly all outgoing shipments, maximizing the use of those resources even during a period of lower shipment volume.
Beyond the numbers, the team shared that the changes have had a real cultural impact. The introduction of dedicated bins and new supplies made waste separation and workspace upkeep feel routine rather than effortful, with Invicta's owners describing it as second nature within just two weeks. In their words, the infrastructure provided fundamentally changed their daily disposal habits.
What This Means for Other Businesses
The results from SSA Marines and Invicta Foams show that meaningful change does not require a major operational overhaul. A clear bin layout, a simple tracking system, and the right materials were enough to shift daily habits at both a large industrial port facility and a product-based manufacturing company. Invicta Foams saw a 2:1 recycling to garbage ratio within their first two weeks, and SSA Marines now has a documented, repeatable servicing routine across their entire facility. For businesses considering joining the initiative, these results make a straightforward case. The effort to get started is low, the support is there from day one, and the impact comes sooner than you might expect.