Resource Synergy

Another school district throws inefficiency in the trash! The Lake Washington School District is improving its waste management services and reducing the burden on staff by partnering with Resource Synergy. Our team has recently installed 47 sonar sensors throughout the school district. These sensors are monitored twice a day to optimize waste management. Our dispatch team will notify waste haulers and the district about missed collections, overflowing dumpsters, and opportunities for waste container resizing.

We’re partnering with the City of SeaTac to help local businesses implement composting services in alignment with the Washington State Organics Management Law! This new initiative will help reduce waste, promote sustainability, and create a healthier environment for everyone. Thanks to funding from the Department of Ecology, local businesses can now receive the tools and education needed to divert their food waste from the landfill.

Thank you to The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho of Ktunaxa Nation, Karen Schumacher, and Theresa Wheat for allowing Resource Synergy to host a community engagement event on the Kootenai Reservation! Lauren and Kevin talked about building decarbonization, transportation electrification, and waste reduction and management, along with a demo of new Reencle composters available to tribal members. Community members shared how they’ve been affected by climate impacts and which measures they want to learn more about in order to reduce emissions. Thanks to all who attended - stay tuned for updates on Upper Columbia United Tribes member Comprehensive Climate Action Plan projects!

Erik and Daniel attended the Center for Green Schools Green Schools Conference in Orlando this week. Erik’s presentation with Monica Fleisher from Portland Public Schools was well received. It turns out that districts across the country share similar challenges: tight budgets, limited labor, and a desire (yet not the resources) to pursue sustainability.

With a strong foundation in environmental stewardship and community engagement, Daniel B. is the newest addition to the Resource Synergy team. His environmental journey began with the City of Tualatin’s Youth Advisory Council, where he balanced sustainability with cost-effectiveness while assisting in cleanup efforts, trail upkeep, and early collaboration on Tualatin’s Community Climate Action Plan. Daniel’s experience in both sustainability and sales gives him a unique perspective on the challenges organizations face when implementing environmental initiatives. He understands the practical obstacles leaders and community stakeholders encounter and is eager to help drive meaningful change. Outside of work, Daniel enjoys hiking, trail running, and exploring Portland. We’re excited to have him on board.

While we're at the Green Schools Conference next week, we'll not only present with Portland Public Schools, but we'll also host the "Speed Greening" event on Monday, 3/3, from 3pm to 5 pm. We hope you'll join us for this unique networking event to hear about how other districts are managing waste! 

We're heading to the Green Schools Conference in Florida! Erik and Daniel will make the trek to Orlando early next week. We're there to present with Portland Public Schools and share the wins from their innovative and cost-saving dumpster monitoring program. If you're going, make time to attend the presentation Monday, 3/3, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, or find us and say hello!

We’re excited to introduce Rina, who brings over a decade of expertise in waste management, recycling, and sustainability solutions to Resource Synergy. Before joining us, Rina Talafili Savea worked as a Waste Project Specialist at Engie, where she managed projects, collaborated with clients and vendors, and ensured the accuracy of waste data to strengthen sustainability programs. Now, she’s eager to apply her experience in waste management and data analysis to support our decarbonization and waste reduction efforts. Rina is passionate about driving meaningful environmental impact and looks forward to helping clients implement innovative sustainability solutions. We’re thrilled to have her on board.

Members of our Waste Management Team spent the day on Mercer Island conducting outreach and implementation regarding the new Washington State Organics Management Law. Under this new law, food service businesses that generate at least 96 gallons of organic food waste per week must participate in organic waste management instead of discarding food waste in the trash. When food waste ends up in the landfill it produces methane gas, a greenhouse gas 75x more potent than carbon dioxide. The goal of this new law is to divert food waste from ending up in a landfill, avoiding the production of methane gas. The City of Mercer Island has contracted Resource Synergy to aid in the distribution and education of organics management materials. Here is Cole Goree, Resource Synergy Analyst, checking on an organics waste bin that was previously implemented at a local restaurant. As you can see, this establishment has been diligently using their organics waste bin instead of throwing away food waste in the regular trash - a great success for the program! #organics #WasteManagement #ResourceSynergy

Resource Synergy is excited to welcome Sarah Kistner to the team. With a strong background in corporate sustainability, Sarah has helped organizations of all sizes reduce their environmental impact. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University and a master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard University’s Extension School, with a focus on Corporate Sustainability and Sustainable Cities and Communities. Before joining our team, Sarah led the sustainability department at an Austrian-based startup, developed a sustainability reporting dashboard for small- to medium-sized businesses, and most recently worked as a sustainability consultant on a corporate biodiversity strategy for a global corporation. She blends her expertise in sustainability, research, and conservation to create innovative solutions for today’s environmental challenges. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking and knitting herself a new sweater. We’re thrilled to have her on board. #CompanyCulture #EnvironmentalImpact #ResourceSynergy