EMPIRE STATE REALTY TRUST: 2021 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
WASTE We commit to minimize waste generated at our properties through waste reduction, recycling, composting, donation, and other initiatives to divert waste from landfills. Our Sustainable Waste Management Policy outlines the necessary steps for implementation, with responsibilities delegated to our property managers, project managers, custodial staff, tenants, and any third-party waste vendors to improve waste diversion. We place clearly labeled accessible bins for trash, paper, and combined plastic, metal, and glass recycling at all of our assets and loading docks and comply with applicable local Codes and regulations. The installation of waste decals from the Business Integrity Commission (BIC) at our New York City properties provides an opportunity for us to identify single stream or separated recycling to assist building occupants and maintenance. We provide an array of education and engagement programs for our tenants on topics which include recycling, composting, donation programs, and special diversion of regulated waste such as lamps, batteries, and electronic waste. We deploy proactive practical waste diversion strategies that meet or exceed local regulations. We provide training and set best practices and standards for our employees and outside contractor teams to reduce overall waste generation and increase diversion rates. We identify opportunities to track and report waste at each property to ensure that all waste is being collected and diverted in accordance with ESRT’s guidelines. • We commit to perform waste audits at 100% of our buildings to understand waste performance and identify opportunities for improvement. • Waste audits were not completed in 2020 due to low occupancy. Waste audits were completed at each building in 2021 when occupancy reached levels sufficient for impactful results. • We have implemented pilot compost programs with some of our largest tenants and offer furniture reuse and donation programs, and electronic waste collection opportunities.
WASTE INITIATIVES
ANNUAL WASTE AUDITS ESRT partners with Great Forest to annually complete Waste Audits to verify and understand the waste performance at our buildings, identify opportunities to increase diversion rates.
TENANT PILOT COMPOST PROGRAMS
ESRT partners with tenants to deploy composting programs to reduce the amount of food waste.
TENANT ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION ESRT provides education on
BUILDING STAFF ENGAGEMENT ESRT building staff annually
waste management and recycling practices to ensure our tenants are equipped with the knowledge to reduce waste.
receives training on proper waste management to ensure waste/ recycling is handled correctly from start to finish.
MONTHLY WASTE DATA AND DIVERSION RATES At year end ESRT provides tenants with monthly waste data and diversion rates.
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