In an era when waste seems to multiply by the day, Woodland Pond, a senior living center in New Paltz, is turning cardboard into a community resource. Amid growing concerns about the inefficiencies of traditional recycling systems, the center has launched a 60-day pilot program to redistribute its cardboard surplus to local businesses and individuals, free of charge. This initiative not only addresses the facility’s waste issue but also brings sustainability full circle, challenging the very system that’s supposed to handle it. For the community, it’s an opportunity to get much-needed supplies without the financial or environmental costs of buying new.
“There’s a universal question about what happens with recycling when it leaves,” said Woodlond Pond CEO Michelle Gramoglia. “Our waste management moved to a co-mingled system where everything goes into the same compactor. With the level of skepticism we have about what’s happening with the recycling stream and the reality of the amount of cardboard we have, we decided to do something.”
Woodland Pond’s decision to launch this cardboard recycling program stems from both its long-standing commitment to sustainability and concerns over the true impact of traditional recycling processes. Serving over 365 residents and employing 310 staff members, the senior living center has been proactive in reducing its environmental impact. It has implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing waste, conserving energy and fostering eco-conscious habits. These include efforts to reduce the use of potentially toxic chemicals on its grounds, promote composting, replace equipment with energy-efficient versions, and use organic and seasonal food products.
The center involves its community through six sustainability task forces, each focusing on a different aspect of eco-friendly living: the Alternatives to Grass task force, Cardboard, Composting, Paper task force, Communications task force, Dining task force, Energy task force, Repair and Re-Use task force, and the newly-created Sustainability Action Plan task force. However, despite these efforts, cardboard waste has remained a persistent challenge. With the rise in online shopping among residents and the facility’s ongoing commercial needs to stock the facility, the amount of cardboard generated at Woodland Pond was mounting.
“We get somewhere between 15 and 25 deliveries a day just from Amazon and FedEx,” Gramoglia said, and that’s not counting holidays or deliveries for the facility itself. “That’s a lot of cardboard.” Faced with this growing problem, the team began looking for a solution that would reduce waste and also benefit the broader community. The result was the launch of the cardboard recycling pilot program.
On Nov. 18, Woodland Pond launched its three-month pilot program to redistribute flattened cardboard boxes to local businesses and individuals. The program offers free boxes to anyone in New Paltz who needs them. All they need to do is provide a description of the size and quantity of boxes they need and explain the intended use, then pick up the boxes from the senior living center.
“We’re trying to match the boxes we have with the demand,” Gramoglia said. Some people need 50 – 75 boxes, while others need smaller boxes for their eBay business. By offering free, reusable boxes, Woodland Pond ensures that its surplus cardboard is put to good use rather than ending up in a landfill or being processed through the uncertain recycling system.
The team at Woodland Pond plays a critical role in preparing the boxes for reuse. The cardboard is cleaned, flattened, stripped of tape and labels to ensure it meets the needs of the community. As Gramoglia said, “We’re diverting this cardboard from the mainstream recycling system and putting it into the hands of people who would otherwise be buying new boxes.” It is a win-win for everyone involved.
Since the launching of the program just over a week ago, Woodland Pond has already seen strong interest from the community. Requests have come in from local businesses, movers, online sellers and individuals, all seeking cardboard boxes. So far, the center has received requests for 127 boxes, ranging from small shipping boxes to large, specialized ones.
The early success of the program has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. “We’re keeping close track of every order,” Gramoglia said, noting the sizes people need, how many at a time, and what they’re being used for, “trying to understand the pattern of need.” This approach ensures the program can be adjusted to better serve the community’s demands and be more effective as it moves forward.
The overarching environmental goal of the cardboard program is to reduce the environmental impact associated with cardboard production and waste. New cardboard is made from virgin resources, requiring energy, water and significant manufacturing processes. By redistributing used boxes for reuse, Woodland Pond helps reduce the need for new cardboard, conserving natural resources and lowering energy consumption. This aligns with the center’s broader sustainability goals.
The cardboard recycling initiative also strengthens Woodland Pond’s relationship with the local community. The center has long collaborated with local businesses and organizations, and this program builds on that foundation. Woodland Pond is helping residents and businesses save money and reduce their environmental footprint. This program also supports the center’s educational initiatives, which include workshops on sustainable living practices such as mindful consumption and reducing waste.
The sustainability efforts at Woodland Pond are not just limited to the senior living center itself; they extend to the wider community. The center’s sustainability committee, which includes both staff and residents, creates a platform for collaboration and change. Additionally, the center’s YouTube channel offers educational videos on topics like sustainable gift-giving, reaching an even wider audience beyond the local area.
While the cardboard recycling program is still in its early stages, Gramoglia and her team are optimistic about its long-term success. The program has already gained traction, with requests streaming in through social media. One potential next step is exploring buy-back or partnership opportunities with local companies, further expanding the program’s reach and sustainability. In the long run, Woodland Pond aims to make the cardboard recycling initiative a permanent feature of the center’s operations and perhaps even a model for other communities to follow.