The International Environmental Alliance (IEA) is looking to create a new standard in sustainable waste management. MetroGreenBusiness.com learned more about IEA's goals, challenges, and successes by talking with Executive Consultant and Founder Aaron Furman, who has more than 20 years of senior management experience in the waste, recycling, and technology industries, is a former finance professional who has devoted his career to sustainable waste management. Before founding IEA, Furman served as chief COO, executive vice president, and general manager at OAKLEAF Waste Management, where he oversaw client services, vendor services, and customer service. Previously, he was the president of Conncom Inc.'s Wireless Communication division, as well as an executive vice-president at Oxco Financial Management.
There has been talk of creating a new standard in sustainable waste management; what does this new standard entail and how are you working to create it?
The world is moving rapidly toward a greener economy. It's clear everywhere you look-and the most proactive companies are quickly adopting new standards to stay ahead of the curve. Factors like environmental citizenship, increasing regulations, cost-savings, and positive public relations are driving companies to shift their operations toward sustainable business practices. More and more businesses are actively seeking solutions that will have a positive impact on the environment, their communities, and their bottom lines.
The waste management industry has a natural key role to play in this transformation, but it's been slow to step up to the plate. My partners and I have spent our careers as leaders in various parts of the waste and recycling industry. As more and more clients came to us seeking sustainable waste management solutions, we realized that there were deep flaws in the older industry models. Lots of waste management companies were using the "green" buzzword, but few had the knowledge, experience and resources to actually act on it.
We started IEA so we could offer clients a new standard in sustainable waste management. To us, this means a commitment to building the most innovative, forward-reaching waste, recycling and diversion programs to align what's best for the environment with our clients' business success.
There are various industry standards being set by organizations such as LEED, Green Globe, ASHRAE, and others. Many of these are fairly similar, but can represent various interests in different sectors such as retail and construction. For instance, CALGREEN will take effect as of 2011 and it will use standards from these organizations to create regulations that will impact every new building built in California. These regulations and standards make sustainable waste management not just a great idea, but a business imperative.
Our goal is to not only help businesses comply with all of these external regulations, but to rise to a new level and set the standard for the future of the waste management industry.
What is the process of diversion? How is it different from and/or similar to recycling and waste disposal?
Diversion means targeting all possible recyclable and reusable materials and removing them from the waste stream so they don't end up in a landfill. This benefits both the environment and our clients' bottom lines.
IEA is a "diversion company" instead of a "disposal company" because our focus is on finding innovative ways to divert materials from the landfill, instead of disposing of them. Diversion encompasses recycling, plus all other methods of keeping waste out of the landfill.
Our process of diversion starts with a comprehensive waste audit. "Waste audit" is basically a fancy term for digging around in our clients' dumpsters to see what should be in there and what shouldn't. Yes, it's a dirty job, but that's why most of our clients would rather we do it for them. Usually, we find that a good percentage of what's in the dumpsters could be diverted. We break it down for our clients, showing them what's in their trash and what we plan to do with it to keep it out of the dumpster, save them money and help them go green. Then, we implement the plan for them, manage it to ensure its ongoing success, and help them showcase their increasing sustainability-savvy to the own customers and stakeholders.
What sorts of materials does IEA recycle or divert?
You'd be amazed at amount and diversity of items that businesses needlessly throw away. Our philosophy at IEA is: "It's not waste until it's wasted." Waste can be recycled, electronics can be eCycled, and some types of waste can even be turned into energy. But instead, most of it is getting tossed into dumpsters and businesses are racking up huge landfill fees-which are only going to get pricier as landfill space disappears.
Our commitment and priority is to divert as much waste from the waste stream as possible. Recycling and diversion make economic sense. Materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics and metals are commodities that when diverted in large enough quantities can become a source of revenue. Diverting even lesser quantities makes sense, as it reduces landfill charges. Composting is a promising diversion method that will become more and more viable as compost facilities become more accessible. IEA will recycle and divert all possible materials wherever it is feasible and will remain at the forefront of new developments in the industry so we can offer our clients that best available diversion options.
How is IEA providing a greener waste management alternative to businesses?
Our core focus is on three benchmarks that we heard over and over again as we asked clients what they were looking for in a greener waste management solution: simple, green and cost-effective.
We know our clients are busy running their own businesses. They want to go green-sometimes regulations and higher-ups are even demanding that they go green-but they barely have time to do their own jobs, much less figure out how to implement a sustainability program. So we keep it as simple as possible by taking care of their sustainable waste program for them, from waste audit to customized program design to implementation, so they can keep their focus on their own business.
We offer the greenest solutions in the industry by constantly staying on top of the most innovative diversion methods and supporting their growth so we can find cost-effective ways to bring them to our clients. Sustainable waste management is not only the responsible choice-it also enhances businesses' reputations with their clients, stakeholders and the public and creates positive visibility. We also provide recycling and diversion reports to make it easy for businesses to spread the word about their sustainability successes.
Finally, we know that cost-effective is the bottom line for businesses when it comes to waste management. That's the reality of doing business. Fortunately, it turns out that sustainable waste management is becoming the most cost-effective option. In the years to come, as waste levels go up and landfill space decreases and gets more and more expensive, the companies that put sustainable practices in place now are going to be at a huge advantage.
What can businesses expect from IEA?
Businesses can expect IEA to lead the industry in developing and nurturing environmentally sound waste management practices for all types of businesses: retail, office buildings, medical facilities, hotels, public buildings and more.
IEA will make sure every business we work with has access to a comprehensive, sustainable recycling program developed to suit the specific needs of their workplace. Businesses can expect the best customer service in the industry, customized, hands-on training, constant communication, and access to the deep knowledge and experience of our LEED-accredited staff.
Our foremost commitment is to providing top-quality, personalized service to every client-no matter how big or small. That's not always the case in this industry, and we've resolved to make this the core of our business. We pride ourselves on delivering friendly, accessible, knowledgeable service at every location throughout the entire client relationship. We see each client as a key partner-and we go the extra mile to help them achieve and exceed their waste management and diversion goals, stay compliant with regulations, and spread the word about their sustainability achievements. Our clients' success is our bottom line.
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