Conference 7.286::digital

    Well, in LKG you separate the white pages out from the other
    stuff (covers, separators, etc) and put them in the "recycle"
    bin inside your cubicle.   Or if you've got more than one binfull,
    you take 'em to the nearest "recycle - white paper" container
    in the hallway.
    
    I suspect the answer is, if you haven't already heard about 
    paper recycling at your site, there's no easy way to do it.
    Recycling is apparently done on a local, voluntary basis.

Years ago when I was with the RSTS engineering group we had a similar but
magnified problem. Everytime we came out with a new release and a new doc
set we had the excess doc sets from the previous release from everyone
in the group. We made arrangements through Community relations, Security
and the account reps to donate the docs to local schools (e.g. MASH,
Rivier College) who were still using the previous version of RSTS and
could make use of the manuals.

I have no way of knowing if this can still be done, but you could check.
If I recall, the correct order is 1) get Community relations to bless
it, 2) get security to OK the removal, 3) clear it with the account rep
who should notify the customer, etc.

Now, finding a customer who's still using 4.7 may be a bit tough, but . . . 

-Jack

    It may not be an idea that corporate likes, but many schools probably 
could use the three ring binders. Those binders are expensive, and I seldom 
see us reuse them when we change colors and version levels of software.

    Now if you could jsut buy filler paper for the smaller binders that 
most software comes in now.......

    Vic

    We sure use a lot of the old binders in ed services!  (The big ones). 
    We all have a lot of documentation that we need to have in hard copy,
    and many of us have past, present, and future courses in various
    states of development that we store in binders.  I am glad to see quite
    a few of the old orange and very old navy blue software binders in
    active use around my group.
    
    But we still waste too much paper - I was thrilled when they got us a
    post_20 printer that prints back to back.
    
    Holly

    results will vary site to site and depend on the level of reduction
    currently in effect, but the sample results below are an indication of
    the impact of one item in the waste stream. The idea of inserting
    volunteers into the waste recovery process just before the compactor
    has been submitted to DELTA. 
    Remember, you can begin a program by yourself. You don't have to wait
    for corporate approval. Get the necessary signoffs and start. DELTA
    would like to have more 'results' type input.
    
    J.B. 
    
PILOT PROGRAM:
         Results & Recommendations from recovering 3 ring notebook binders 
           from the waste stream at Stow, MA


INTRODUCTION:

 After receiving permission to accumulate and disburse 'scrap' binders
on Nov 2, by Dec. 11 we had recovered and delivered 656 binders to the Quabbin
School District. Twelve binders were turned into stationary since the quality
of the binders was good enough for reissue by stationary's guidelines. 

 These binders were recovered from the trash, just prior to their going into
the compactor.

 This effort utilized a lively, active group of volunteers monitoring the 
Stow, MA waste stream. That waste stream was reduced considerably. Those 
binders going into the compactor that could be used by the school were removed.
Those binders that could be reused by Digital were returned to stationary.


RESULTS:

 ***  Stow, MA did not pay to have these binders hauled away as trash.
 ***  Digital can get a contribution write-off for the donation.
 ***  All efforts to do this were donated apart from normal work duties.

All of the following were benefits realized by the 'pilot':

     o Reinforce Digital's image as a good corporate citizen and neighbor
     o Reduce the costs of waste disposal by reducing waste volume
     o Increase the volume of recovered paper for recycling
     o Provide to Digital a tax deduction for contributions
     o Eliminate a considerable volume of plastic and metal from the waste 
       stream and consequently lessen the burden on the environment
     o Put the Digital name (found on most every binder) in front of a new 
       generation of computer users in a positive manner at no cost to Digital
     o Provide a necessary, fundamental supply to schools at a time when 
       budgets are stretched to the limit


CONCLUSIONS:

 Regardless of what Stow, MA - or Digital - does to address reduction and 
recycling, waste will still be generated. Not having this effort in place to 
reduce the waste stream further, simply means Digital pays to haul waste that 
could have been donated to schools.

 The 3 ring binders recovered here represent a small part of the 'waste'
that can be recovered. From observations of this volunteer it would appear
that only a third to half of the available binders were processed. 

 The volunteers entrusted to 'comb' the trash need to be aware of company
guidelines on what 'trash' really is, but more importantly they need to
be capable of applying common sense. This does not appear to be a problem.


RECOMMENDATIONS:

 This 'pilot' demonstrates that depending on people to do the right thing
for the right reasons can produce real dollar savings. By offering the
'reward' of materials for schools, a small group of volunteers can further
reduce the cost of waste disposal to each Digital site, benefit community
schools, etc. without expansive, expensive overhead. This approach works
regardless of the current level of reduction, reuse and/or recycling 
currently in effect.

The guidelines in place to control recovery of materials from the waste
stream need to be reviewed to remove unnecessary 'red tape' in regard to
these activities.


STATISTICS:

Total number of days for pilot -  23
Total 3 ring binders recovered - 727

                            |    656 to school
                            |     12 to Stationary
Disposition of binders      |      7 to intra-group use
                            |     52 returned to trash stream
                                    after pilot was canceled
                                 

Cubic feet of waste storage not used    -    total         84 cubic feet
    (675 binders avg. 12 per 1.5 cubic ft box)

Weight of waste storage not used        -    total        562 lbs
    (675 binders avg. 1/3 lb each)      -                 202 lbs
    (360 binders - contents only - avg. 1 lb each)        360 lbs

Cost to implement the pilot                         -  $ 0.00
Cost to manage the pilot                            -  $ 0.00
Cost to Digital to realize savings and deductions   -  $ 0.00

Note on weight and contents:

   Approximately half of the recovered binders had paper contents intact.
   Approximately 50 binders contained 'Internal Use Only' or 'Digital
   Classified' documentation that was removed and disposed of in secure
   containers. The paper contents of the remaining 300+ binders was placed
   in recycling containers.

    Tell you what, I could use the binders,but not the insides,so if you
    could just throw that into the re-cycle bins and send me the
    binders,I''d be eternally grateful.
    
    Ken Bouchard
    CXO3-2/N8

1227.78 is looking for cast off Digital Technical Journals
.-1      is looking for binders

Must be time for a Let's Swap Digital's Equipment Notes conference.
  binders/manuals/journals/old issues of VNS :-)/what-have-you

re .-1: Just how many binders are you looking for? :-)

    re:-1
    
    About 10 binders. Got some?
    
    Ken

    Ken,
    After only a few days of culling the trash (with lots of help from
    my friends) I've got about 50 or 60 in my office that were going to
    the compactor. Since I no longer have permission to remove them
    from the building to donate to the school district (where they were
    going) maybe they are finding a home.
    
    Got anyone from CXO visiting STOW this month and with room in their
    luggage?
    
    J.B.

    Tell you what. If I can get my manager to pay shipping,could you send
    them?
    
    Ken

    
    Come'on Ken. Let's get creative. We have to be able to find some
    cross country travelers that can lug a few binders along. Heck,
    after stopping DEC from spending money to throw these suckers away,
    it'd be almost a crime to spend money to get them back into use where
    they're needed. 
    
    ATTENTION NOTERS: Any cross country travelers out there who are willing
    to save a few bucks for the company?
    
    J.B.

Ken,
Looks like I can't get the binders to you for free. However, mentioning
it to my manager brought the response:

  "Pack up a box and send it out!"

So I've got a box here of about 19 binders awaiting your address. Then
they go down to shipping.

The cost of this load is on my boss. If you want more I'm sure we can work 
    something out. 

So, send me an address.

John Baird

    re:-1
    
    Are they full-size binders? (11 inch?) I've already got five boxes of
    the smaller ones that nobody seems to want. If they *are* full-size
    send 'em to CXO3-2/N8.
    
    Ken

    
    I got 'em all - full, 1/2, 3/4, and really strange. 
    What I have for you is all full size, mixed widths. 1" 2" 3"
    
    Next question before I go to shipping:
    
       Could you use about 100 of these suckers - gratis, of course?
    
    Your response determines quantity shipped.
    

	RE: Last several. You people would probably get faster turn around
	by using mail or perhaps even the telephone. Just a suggestion.

				Alfred

    
    RE: .15
    
    Alfred,
    I was wondering when a friendly reminder would surface :-)
    
    Seriously though, this isn't without thought as to the public
    discussion element. One of the advantages of using the notesfile
    is increasing the awareness of the 'silent majority' who read
    without writing. Organizing recovery and reuse on a grassroots
    level of consumables throughout the company.
    
    My association with 3 ring binders is my small contribution to
    reducing waste and associated avoidable costs. A nice byproduct
    is helping out another Decie in need.
    
    Using the DIGITAL notesfile to conduct business that WOULD be
    better conducted offline give a public exposure to this aquired
    'new' way of Digital working and drums interest and action.
    
    Having said all this I am prepared to stop extending this entry
    if that's the moderator's desire.
    
    I remain your humble, but wordy and posturing, servant,
    
    J.B.

    re:.14
    
    If they're all full size,why don't you send me half and put the other
    half under a sign that says "free binders"
    
    BTW: CXO3-2/N8
    
    Ken

    
    forgot to add this in last note:
    
    If DEC really wants to save some money,why doesn't upper management
    simply decree that all un-needed binders (like the orange ones which
    are as plentiful as flies in summer) be returned for re-use by the
    folks that send out VMS documentation? 
    
    Ken

    Re .16
    
    Since I have to read this exchange between the two parties, I guess
    I will second the comments of .15...
    
    What I believe is the most constructive approach is to announce the
    availability in the notes file and removal of availability when your
    service is no longer capable of delivering.  This gives you the wide
    desimenation it needs without tying up several notes in between.
    
    Just tell me what you got, how I get some of it, and let the remainder
    of the communication flow individually...  And appropriate thank you
    or closing note might be posted here and in attaboys to make sure your
    contribution is recognized....
    
    Thanks anyway back to reading...
    
    	Paul N ;-)