Microsoft Recycling Program Halves Redmond HQ’s Waste

Microsoft announced that its new recycling program is helping to cut its Redmond headquarters’ waste in half.

The initiatives included:

— Changing the tableware, food containers and flatware to more eco-friendly, non-petroleum based compostable products, which has removed more than 20 million pieces of cutlery, over 18 million plates and bowls, and about 22 million cups; resulting in the reduction of 109 tons of plastic each year.

— Converting kitchen oil to biodiesel for all cafés and kitchenettes. About 833 gallons of used fryer oil is also shipped from Microsoft to biodiesel refineries every month, resulting in about 10,000 gallons of Microsoft’s used kitchen oil being converted into biodiesel fuel annually.

— Expanding waste management practices to include all paper waste, milk cartons, glass, metal and composting. This year, the company will also convert 400,000 gallons of food waste to compost materials through Trim Trax, and about 285,000 pounds of food will be composted on site. Microsoft is also adding organic recycling units at 407 campus kitchenettes and 35 cafes, where 4.7 million milk cartons are expected to be recycled.

In July, the company announced that its employee incentives to improve energy efficiency saw a 22 percent improvement in the energy efficiency of its data centers from 2004 to 2007.