Cardella Leads NY and NJ in Construction Recycling

According to Construction Waste Recycling online, construction of a 2,000 square foot home generates around 8,000 lbs. of landfill waste. With numbers like this, it seems obvious that we should be recycling construction supplies. But which home building materials are recyclable? In renovation or new builds, recyclables include:

• Appliances
• Masonry materials
• Sheetrock/drywall
• Glass and plastic windows
• Lumber and plywood scraps
  
• Cardboard materials packaging
• Metal scraps
• Metal and wood doors
• Some roofing materials

Building material recycling technology is developing rapidly, and Green waste management companies like Cardella are helping to spearhead the effort. If you're a construction manager, site owner or contractor interested in partnering with Cardella on your next building project, call us at 1-800-548-7001 today. We provide convenient, 24/7 services for your construction waste management needs and our streamlined, single-container recycling services will save you time and money.

Cardella Waste and Integrity Recycling Launch New iPhone App

Cardella is excited to partner with Integrity Recycling & Waste Solutions of Flemington to launch the first-ever conservation calculator iPhone app. This Green Machine Conservation Calculator can be downloaded for free from iTunes, and measures your environmental impact based upon provided recycling amounts.

By inputting paper, metal, plastic and wood recycling tonnages into the Green Machine, consumers and businesses will receive an environmental impact report that measures their conservation savings in gallons of oil, kilowatts of electricity, liberated landfill space and other eco-friendly terms. Cardella and Integrity hope that consumers will use the Green Machine app to (1) understand their personal impact on the environment, and (2) track the ongoing reduction of their carbon footprint.

“The Green Machine recycling calculator should be a favorite among industry professionals looking for environmental information related to their recycling efforts—and a staple for anyone who wishes to measure their recycling programs’ successes,” says David J. Cardella, one of Cardella's principals.

Currently, the Green Machine is only available for iTunes and Apple users. If you're a Blackberry or Droid user, however, don't despair. The app may soon be able for those platforms, as well. Visit the iTunes Store to download the Green Machine today, or call Cardella’s recycling experts for more information about this cool conservation tool.

RentDumpsters.com Goes Live!

If you're demolishing or renovating part of your home or business, consider renting a dumpster to dispose of building materials and other hefty, bulky items. Rental dumpsters save you the energy required to haul waste items to the dump or the recycling facility, and you'll also avoid the time it takes to make multiple trips.

When you use Cardella's new RentDumpsters.com website, it's easy to schedule the delivery and pickup of your container. We carry roll-off and front load models ranging from 2 to 30 yds., depending on the size of your project. Our rentals are ideal for estate cleanouts, siding & roof replacement, landscape projects, construction site refuse and business remodels--and our prices are some of the most competitive in NY/NJ.

Ready to order? Call 1-888-772-RENT today to talk with our container experts. And stay tuned for our online rental service--which will soon be available for Cardella's valued residential customers.

Bright Ideas About Light Bulbs

If you've already made the move from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lamps in your home or facility, congratulations. You're saving energy, and reducing your carbon footprint. In fact, according to the Energy Star website, "If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR [compact fluorescent lamp, or CFL], we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, about $700 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to the emissions of about 800,000 cars."

Interested in switching to CFLs? Just remember that each fluorescent lamp contains a small amount of mercury, and while the lamps do not release mercury when they're intact, it's important to dispose of them properly. Mercury, which is a known neurotoxin, should be properly handled in order to minimize human exposure and landfill/water contamination.

If you're looking for a safe way to recycle the CFLs used in your home or business, contact Cardella Waste Services today. When you schedule your pickup of old bulbs, we'll send you UN-certified safety packaging to protect your family and employees. It's simple, fast, and affordable--and you can schedule today by calling Cardella at 1-800-548-7001.

What's New in Green News?

Interested in the latest recycling news? Check out the following headlines.

Landfill GTE project to produce energy for 1,000 homes

St. Joseph, Mo., is partnering with Kansas City Power & Light to create a landfill gas-to-energy project at a 90-acre landfill. According to experts, the project will produce enough power to benefit 1,000 residences. Read more about it here.

Arizona Votes to Fill Old Mine Shafts with Scrap Tires

In a controversial decision, Arizona state lawmakers voted to get rid of old tires by stuffing them down abandoned mines. Environmental activists are concerned about the risk of underground fires and water contamination, but proponents of the decision say that it's an inexpensive way to close off dangerous shafts. Check out the full story here.

Waste to Generate Significant Energy in Spain

University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR) researchers are continuing to study the use of waste in the generation of electricity. While solid waste seems to be the most cost-effective option, the study did not rule out water treatment sludge and livestock slurry as alternate energy sources. Find out more about the possibilities by clicking here.

Cardella is Going Green

If your facility uses fluorescent bulbs to light workspaces, retail environments and warehouses, you know that they can be difficult to throw away. Fluorescents are made with mercury, an element associated with neurological problems in both adults and children. These bulbs are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and cannot be thrown in solid waste containers or sent to landfills. When bulbs are broken, mercury vapor is released into the air, increasing the chances of environmental pollution and mercury-related health conditions.

To help you safely dispose of the fluorescent bulbs used in your business, Cardella offers a new bulb recycling service. Customers can order prepaid EasyPak boxes online or over the phone. These EasyPak boxes are custom containers designed to securely transport your old bulbs so they can be safely recycled—with no danger to you or the environment.

Interested? Call today to inquire about eco-friendly bulb disposal—or to order EasyPak boxes designed for battery and electronics recycling, too. It’s just one more way that Cardella is going green—and serving our valued customers in New York and New Jersey.

Saving Money

Joining today’s “Green Movement” may be great for the environment, but did you know your pocketbook can benefit, as well? Here are a few ideas to stretch your 2010 budget while reducing the waste stream and protecting precious natural resources.

1. Need some NEW old things to replace your OLD old things? Visit Freecycle.org, where you’ll find a network of residents trading their goods to keep reusable “stuff” out of our landfills. Save money on furniture, clothing, landscaping décor and more. You may even find a hidden treasure worth more than you bargained for!


2. Find household uses for those pesky plastic bags. Bathroom trashcan liners, pet clean-up and muddy shoe covers are just some of the ways you can breathe new life into old grocery bags.


3. This year, keep in touch with family and friends using recycled postcards. By cutting the front off of greeting cards you receive, you’ll save money on both cards and postage. Remember, USPS postcard size guidelines are as follows:
   
   
   
   • Minimum size: 3.5 inches tall by 5 inches long
   
   
   • Maximum size: 4.25 inches tall by 6 inches long
   
   

It’s a great year to think green. When you look around your home and discover items that can be reused, you’ll be saving not only the environment—but your hard-earned cash, as well. And in this economy—that’s good news.

Peaceful, green holidays from Cardella!

To get in the holiday spirit, we recently sponsored the New Jersey U.S. Green Building Council’s 8th annual holiday celebration (Mon., Dec. 7). This is the first year the event has been held at Gladstone’s elegant Hamilton Park Golf Club, situated on 600 acres complete with USGA-rated golf courses, fine dining and luxury entertainment venues.
Joined by USGBC-NJ members from all over the area, the Cardella family gathered to celebrate the achievements that emerged in the midst of 2009’s marketplace difficulties.

We hope you’ll join us in preparing for an exciting, prosperous 2010. As the end of this year approaches, we’d like to wish all of you—our customers, families and friends—health, happiness and business success in the year to come. Enjoy the season.

Giving Green This Season

Estimates indicate that U.S. consumers dispose of millions of tons of additional trash during the holidays, making it a perfect time to think about conservation and recycling. But how can you remain festive while downsizing your carbon footprint? Use the following waste reduction tips to “green up” your holidays.

1. Opt for e-greetings over snail mail. While everyone enjoys holiday cards, they usually end up in a sea of wrapping trash by January 1.  Avoid paper waste by sending electronic greetings and holiday letters to computer-savvy friends and family. In addition to being eco-friendly, you’ll cut your holiday postage budget by 50 percent or more.


2. Think outside the wrapping paper roll. Companies like Delight.com and ReusableBags.com encourage consumers to go waste-free by enclosing gifts in holiday-printed, canvas shopping bags. Baskets, bins and buckets are also reusable—and become a creative part of the gift.


3. Give experiences instead of “stuff.” Tickets to a baseball game, theater performance or museum make great, green gifts—and offer the recipient and the giver a chance to spend time together.


4.  Pass around a box to collect reusable bows, bags and tissue paper. Even crumpled gift wrap can be shredded and reused to protect fragile items before they’re stored or mailed.


5. Don’t forget the rechargeable batteries. PDAs, gadgets and children’s toys seem to eat batteries, so get creative by adding a charger and some rechargeables to electronic giveaways.


6. Recycle Styrofoam peanuts rather than sending them to the landfill. Visit the Plastic Loose Fill Council for a drop-off facility near you.

Businesses and construction companies looking to become “waste-wise” this holiday season can call (800) 548-8001 to schedule a personalized recycling consultation. At Cardella, we urge all NY/NJ businesses to partner with us in creating a greener tomorrow.

More about Cardella’s Community Commitment

If you’re familiar with Cardella Waste—you know that we never hesitate to champion a worthy effort. We’re aggressively pursuing one of those efforts every day, as we make it our continued mission to contribute to a greener tomorrow. Through our state-of-the-art, 24,000-square-foot materials recovery facility, our innovative recycling technology and our impressive landfill diversion rates, Cardella is helping residents and business reduce their carbon footprints and protect valuable natural resources. And while we specialize in fulfilling LEED requirements for construction projects, our customers can rest assured that we recycle salvageable waste for all jobs—not just LEED-specific projects. If you’re new to Cardella, call us today at (800) 548-8001 for more information about partnering in our eco-friendly initiatives.

Cardella Sponsors “Cakes for a Cause”

Welcome to our blog! We look forward to connecting with visitors, and sharing information about our business, mission and dedication to our thriving community.

So what’s the latest? After completing a used cell phone drive for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity this summer, we were proud to sponsor “Cakes for a Cause” charity event at Gladstone’s Sublime Restaurant (Sept. 24). Hosted by Jerry Frungillo of TLC’s Masters of Reception, all event proceeds went to Raritan’s Habitat project. With over 50 participants donating $100+ per ticket, the event was a great opportunity to enjoy drinks, appetizers and networking opportunities. The highlight of the night was judging three decadent, inventive cakes (below), which were collaboratively designed by teams of reputable NJ architects and bakers. Congratulations to the winners – Studio 1200 and Sue’s Sweets.


Special thanks to John Covey and Kate Walsh—who spearheaded the cell phone drive and “Cakes for a Cause” as part of their Roman Jeweler’s Wedding Challenge. This committed couple has a great opportunity to impact the NJ community with their Habitat project, and we wish them the best of luck. To donate to Raritan Valley or find out more about the wedding contest, click here.