Bell Canada Sets the Tone for Waste Reduction

Bell Canada set up their Zero Waste™ program in 1991, starting modestly with a building in Etobicoke, ON. Starting with recycling just paper, glass and cans, waste was reduced from 1989 levels of 1800 lbs per day to 700 lbs in 1991. Bell set a goal of 5 lbs a day; as of 1992, they had already achieved 75 lbs. These reductions also significantly reduced costs – pick-up and disposal costs went from $30,000 per year (at 80 bags per day) to only $5000 (for a mere 3.5 bags). The program costs of $18,000 were paid for in only 7 or 8 months!

Changes included the installation of nine accelerator composters; working with suppliers to stop the use of Styrofoam cups and dishes, plastic cutlery, and individual creamers and the like. They also provided each employee with a “Lug-a-Mug” reusable coffee cup; and “changed the perception of garbage” by decreasing the number of garbage cans to only four per floor, and putting a recycling bin by each desk.

By 2002, Bell had implemented recycling initiatives at almost all of their sites. That year, they showed an average diversion rate of 26.5%, or 930 tons of material. Sixteen admin offices achieved a rate of more than 40%. Paper consumption dropped from 8316 tons in 1991 to 4707 in 2002 – saving more than 61,000 trees per year. Electronic tools such as email, on-line reporting, and computerized business forms contributed to these reductions.

Bell also collects used laser printer cartridges, and buys refurbished ones. The 12,000 refurbs bought in 2002 cut costs by 30 to 50%.

By 2005, waste reduction programs were seen in many aspects of Bell’s operations, and led to 8813 tonnes of materials being diverted from landfill. In their network operations, copper cables, lead sleeves, and other products are sent to recyclers. Reused items include pallets, splicing closures, and aerial terminals.

In the administrative operations, 1073 tonnes of materials were recycled – 68.4% paper, 31.2% cardboard, 0.4% bottles and cans.

Hazardous materials, though a small part of operations, are collected centrally and handled responsibly. By 2002, Bell had also removed all telecommunications equipment that contained PCBs. New wireless technology uses equipment that does not contain PCBs.

Bell continues to strive for improvement, setting themselves a goal of a further overall waste diversion rate of 5% by 2008 (over 2005). No doubt they will succeed.

For more info, visit:

Bell Canada site for information on handling of residual materials

Bell's 2002 Performance report

(Source: Sept. 2006 WasteWatch)

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