Don’t Feed the Landfills Initiative Eliminates 22 Million Pounds of Waste From National Parks Nationwide
Subaru of America and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) have announced the impressive results of their Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative. Since 2015, the initiative has helped eliminate 22 million pounds of waste from national parks through reduction, recycling, composting, and educational efforts. The project, which started with three pilot parks - Denali, Grand Teton, and Yosemite - has reduced landfill waste by half in these locations.
The initiative's success is attributed to a collaborative approach involving nearly 60 park partners. It has led to enhanced recycling and composting infrastructure, dedicated staff for educational outreach, and standardized bin labeling. Subaru, as the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation, has provided over $55 million in support since 2013 and will continue funding environmental stewardship efforts across the National Park System.
Subaru of America e la National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) hanno annunciato i risultati impressionanti della loro iniziativa Don't Feed the Landfills. Dal 2015, l'iniziativa ha contribuito ad eliminare 22 milioni di libbre di rifiuti dai parchi nazionali attraverso la riduzione, il riciclaggio, il compostaggio e le attività educative. Il progetto, iniziato con tre parchi pilota - Denali, Grand Teton e Yosemite - ha ridotto di metà i rifiuti destinati alle discariche in queste località.
Il successo dell'iniziativa è attribuito a un approccio collaborativo che coinvolge quasi 60 partner parco. Ha portato a un miglioramento delle infrastrutture per il riciclaggio e il compostaggio, personale dedicato per l'insegnamento educativo e etichettatura standardizzata dei contenitori. Subaru, come il più grande donatore aziendale della National Park Foundation, ha fornito oltre 55 milioni di dollari in supporto dal 2013 e continuerà a finanziare sforzi per la gestione ambientale in tutto il Sistema dei Parchi Nazionali.
Subaru of America y la National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) han anunciado los impresionantes resultados de su iniciativa Don't Feed the Landfills. Desde 2015, la iniciativa ha ayudado a eliminar 22 millones de libras de desechos de los parques nacionales a través de la reducción, el reciclaje, el compostaje y esfuerzos educativos. El proyecto, que comenzó con tres parques piloto - Denali, Grand Teton y Yosemite - ha reducido a la mitad los desechos enviados a vertederos en estas ubicaciones.
El éxito de la iniciativa se atribuye a un enfoque colaborativo que involucra a casi 60 socios parqueros. Esto ha llevado a mejorar la infraestructura de reciclaje y compostaje, personal dedicado para la divulgación educativa y etiquetado estandarizado de los contenedores. Subaru, como el mayor donante corporativo de la National Park Foundation, ha proporcionado más de 55 millones de dólares en apoyo desde 2013 y continuará financiando esfuerzos de gestión ambiental en todo el Sistema de Parques Nacionales.
미국의 스바루와 국립공원 보존 협회(NPCA)는 쓰레기 매립지에 음식을 주지 마세요 이니셔티브의 인상적인 결과를 발표했습니다. 2015년 이후, 이 이니셔티브는 2200만 파운드의 폐기물을 국립공원에서 줄이고 재활용하며 퇴비화하고 교육 활동을 통해 제거하는 데 기여했습니다. 데날리, 그랜드 테톤, 요세미티의 세 개 시범 공원에서 시작된 이 프로젝트는 해당 지역에서 매립지 폐기물을 반으로 줄였습니다.
이 이니셔티브의 성공은 거의 60개의 공원 파트너와 함께하는 협력적인 접근 방식 덕분입니다. 이는 재활용 및 퇴비화 인프라의 개선, 교육 홍보를 위한 전담 직원 확보, 표준화된 쓰레기통 라벨링으로 이어졌습니다. 스바루는 국립공원 재단의 가장 큰 기업 후원자로서 2013년 이후로 5500만 달러 이상의 지원을 제공했으며, 국립공원 시스템 전반에 걸쳐 환경 관리 노력을 계속 지원할 것입니다.
Subaru of America et la National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) ont annoncé les résultats impressionnants de leur initiative Don't Feed the Landfills. Depuis 2015, cette initiative a contribué à éliminer 22 millions de livres de déchets dans les parcs nationaux grâce à la réduction, au recyclage, au compostage et aux efforts éducatifs. Le projet, qui a commencé avec trois parcs pilotes - Denali, Grand Teton et Yosemite - a réduit de moitié les déchets envoyés aux décharges dans ces localités.
Le succès de l'initiative est attribué à une approche collaborative impliquant près de 60 partenaires parcs. Cela a permis d'améliorer l'infrastructure de recyclage et de compostage, de recruter du personnel dédié pour l'éducation et de standardiser l'étiquetage des conteneurs. Subaru, en tant que plus grand donateur corporatif à la National Park Foundation, a apporté plus de 55 millions de dollars de soutien depuis 2013 et continuera à financer les efforts de gestion environnementale dans tout le système des parcs nationaux.
Subaru of America und die National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) haben die beeindruckenden Ergebnisse ihrer Initiative Don't Feed the Landfills bekannt gegeben. Seit 2015 hat die Initiative geholfen, 22 Millionen Pfund Abfall aus Nationalparks durch Reduktion, Recycling, Kompostierung und Bildungsmaßnahmen zu beseitigen. Das Projekt, das mit drei Pilot-Parks - Denali, Grand Teton und Yosemite - begann, hat den Abfall, der auf die Deponien gelangt, an diesen Orten um die Hälfte reduziert.
Der Erfolg der Initiative wird einem kooperativen Ansatz zugeschrieben, der fast 60 Parkpartner einbezieht. Dies führte zu einer verbesserten Infrastruktur für Recycling und Kompostierung, zu engagierten Mitarbeitern für Bildungsaktivitäten und zu standardisierten Behälterbeschriftungen. Subaru, als größter Unternehmensdonator der National Park Foundation, hat seit 2013 über 55 Millionen Dollar an Unterstützung bereitgestellt und wird die Umweltpflegebemühungen im gesamten Nationalpark-System weiterhin finanzieren.
- Elimination of 22 million pounds of waste from national parks
- 50% reduction in landfill waste at pilot parks (Denali, Grand Teton, and Yosemite)
- Subaru provided over $55 million in support to National Park Foundation since 2013
- Implementation of enhanced recycling and composting infrastructure
- Development of best management practices for waste diversion and reduction
- None.
The Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative, spearheaded by Subaru and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), has achieved a remarkable milestone in waste reduction within national parks. The elimination of 22 million pounds of waste over nearly a decade is a significant accomplishment in environmental conservation.
This initiative's success lies in its multi-faceted approach:
- Implementation of recycling and composting infrastructure
- Introduction of sustainable food packaging and reusable containers
- Educational programming to promote visitor stewardship
- Standardization of bin labeling to increase recycling participation
The initiative's impact extends beyond waste reduction. By engaging nearly 60 park partners, it has created a ripple effect in surrounding communities, potentially influencing waste management practices on a broader scale. The development of best management practices aligned with the National Park Service's strategic plans provides a scalable model for other parks to follow.
However, it's important to note that while 22 million pounds is impressive, the National Park Service manages over 80 million pounds of waste annually. This indicates there's still significant room for improvement. The initiative's success at pilot parks like Denali, Grand Teton and Yosemite, where waste sent to landfills was reduced by half, demonstrates the potential for even greater impact if implemented system-wide.
The phase-out of single-use plastics is particularly noteworthy, as plastics pose a significant threat to wildlife and ecosystems. Doubling the amount of single-use plastics kept out of landfills at the pilot parks is a substantial achievement that could have far-reaching environmental benefits if replicated across all national parks.
Subaru's involvement in the Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative exemplifies a robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy that aligns environmental stewardship with brand values. This long-term commitment, spanning nearly a decade, demonstrates a level of dedication that goes beyond typical corporate philanthropy.
Key aspects of Subaru's CSR approach in this initiative include:
- Leveraging its zero-landfill expertise from manufacturing operations
- Providing substantial financial support (
$55 million since 2013) - Engaging in multi-stakeholder partnerships (NPCA, National Park Service, National Park Foundation)
- Focusing on scalable and sustainable solutions
The initiative's success enhances Subaru's brand image as an environmentally conscious company, potentially appealing to eco-minded consumers. This aligns well with their 'Subaru Love Promise' and 'Subaru Loves the Earth' campaigns, creating a cohesive narrative around the brand's environmental commitments.
However, it's important to view this initiative in the context of Subaru's overall environmental impact. While waste reduction in national parks is commendable, the automotive industry's primary environmental challenge remains vehicle emissions. Subaru's efforts in developing more fuel-efficient or electric vehicles would be a necessary complement to these conservation initiatives for a comprehensive environmental strategy.
The longevity and measurable impact of this initiative set a high bar for corporate-nonprofit partnerships. By providing a scalable waste reduction roadmap, Subaru is contributing to systemic change in national park operations, potentially influencing industry standards for corporate environmental responsibility in public land stewardship.
The Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative represents a significant shift in how waste management is approached in high-traffic tourist destinations like national parks. This initiative's success has implications for the broader tourism industry, particularly in natural and protected areas.
Key takeaways for the tourism sector include:
- Visitor education can lead to meaningful behavior change
- Infrastructure improvements (e.g., water-filling stations, bear-proof containers) can support sustainability goals
- Collaboration between private sector, non-profits and government agencies can drive innovation
- Standardized systems (like bin labeling) can improve visitor participation in sustainability efforts
The initiative's success in reducing waste by half at pilot parks demonstrates that significant improvements are possible without compromising visitor experience. In fact, elements like water-filling stations likely enhance visitor convenience while supporting sustainability goals.
However, the tourism industry should note that this initiative required substantial investment and a long-term commitment. The
The emphasis on community engagement and the involvement of local stakeholders provides a model for sustainable tourism development that extends beyond park boundaries. This approach could be particularly valuable for destinations grappling with overtourism and its environmental impacts.
As travelers become increasingly eco-conscious, initiatives like this may become a competitive advantage for destinations. Parks and tourism operators that can demonstrate tangible sustainability efforts may attract a growing segment of environmentally aware visitors, potentially leading to increased visitation and revenue.
Subaru of America celebrates its nearly 10-year partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association and shares the results of the Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative
CAMDEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / July 31, 2024 / Subaru of America, Inc. and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today announced the impressive impact of their partnership and celebrate the legacy of the Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative. In coordination with the National Park Service (NPS), and the National Park Foundation (NPF), Subaru and NPCA collaborated with many community partners to significantly reduce the amount of waste that national parks send to landfills. Since launching in 2015, the initiative has helped the National Park System eliminate 22 million pounds of waste through reduction, recycling, composting, and educational initiatives while engaging park visitors to lessen their environmental footprint.
The Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative started with three pilot parks-Denali National Park & Preserve, Grand Teton National Park, and Yosemite National Park. The automaker, known for its zero-landfill expertise and deep commitment to the environment, partnered with the non-profit national park advocacy group NPCA to launch the project. Together, with the expertise of NPS and NPF, Subaru, and NPCA, engaged park concessionaires and community stakeholders to develop innovative waste reduction solutions and help design infrastructure systems to ensure sustainable and resilient park operations.
Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc.: "The Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative has been an important undertaking at Subaru for nearly a decade and has led to the elimination of 22 million pounds of trash through recycling, composting, and educational initiatives. We are incredibly grateful to our partners at the National Parks Conservation Association, National Park Foundation, National Park Service and others for helping us develop and implement innovative waste reduction solutions. Together, we have reduced the amount of waste taken to landfills by half at Denali, Grand Teton, and Yosemite, and we are proud to have provided a scalable waste reduction roadmap that supports the national parks' sustainability efforts for future generations."
The initiative's successes and long-term impact can be attributed to the collaborative community-based approach in and around the pilot parks. With a network of nearly 60 park partners supporting the effort, the ripple effects of these efforts extend to nearby park communities. The challenging work that began at Denali, Grand Teton, and Yosemite has changed how millions of visitors experience America's national parks and plays a critical role in keeping waste out of them.
From sustainable food packaging to reusable containers, visitor stewardship, and educational programming, the initiative led to enhanced recycling and composting infrastructure, dedicated staff for educational outreach, and standardized bin labeling to increase recycling participation. Furthermore, Subaru also provided grant funding to the National Park Foundation to support engagement programs, and operational and infrastructure improvements, including over 1,000 new bear-proof containers and nearly 30 water-filling stations.
Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association: "We were so proud to join forces with industry leader Subaru of America, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service to address the significant waste challenges facing our national parks. Through our nearly 10-year partnership on the Don't Feed the Landfill initiative, we've helped keep millions of pounds of waste out of our parks and the landfills, made it easier and more clear to recycle, and connected with millions of Americans about ways they can help lessen their footprint when they explore our parks. The systems and infrastructure we've put in place will benefit national parks, and all who visit them, for decades to come."
The National Park Service manages over 80 million pounds of waste each year. Taking the lessons learned at the three pilot parks, Subaru and the NPCA developed best management practices around waste diversion, reduction, and management aligned with the National Park Service's strategic plans to achieve these goals, including the phase-out of single-use plastics. Through these actions and applying the best management practices, the amount of single use plastics kept out of landfills more than doubled at the three pilot parks. These efforts provide a roadmap for more national parks, including Big Bend and Zion which are already making significant strides, to implement successful sustainable practices while reducing operating costs.
The Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative is part of Subaru Loves the Earth®, the automaker's environmentally focused philanthropic pillar of the Subaru Love Promise. Subaru is the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation and has provided over
For more information about Subaru Loves the Earth, visit Subaru.com/earth and follow #SubaruLovestheEarth on social media to see this initiative in action.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than
About the National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation's most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
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Diane Anton
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com
Adam Leiter
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com
Alison Heis
National Parks Conservation Association
(202) 384-8762
aheis@npca.org
For nearly 10 years, Subaru of America, the National Parks Conservation Association, and partners have kept more than 22 million pounds of waste out of national parks like Denali, Grand Teton, and Yosemite through the Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative. In coordination with the National Park Service, National Park Foundation, and community partners, the program's success was achieved through waste reduction, recycling, composting, and educational initiatives to engage park visitors on ways to lessen their environmental footprint.
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SOURCE: Subaru of America, Inc.
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