Transparency Information
Pack Rat Outdoor Center is committed to conducting business in a manner that strives to reduce the negative impact on the environment and while encouraging the highest standards of sustainable business practices. We realize our business is responsible for choosing clean and efficient energy methods, sustainable waste reduction processes, and for the conscientious procurement of materials used to run our day-to-day business operations. From inception, conservation of the environment has been a priority to ensure future generations are given the opportunity to enjoy the wild spaces we hold dear to our heart. As the years passed, we have become aware that simply the act of running a business has many environmental costs that must be addressed. We choose to hold ourselves accountable for the environmental costs of doing business and our love for our natural world encourages us to ask the deep, and at times, difficult question “Is there a better way?” We ask this simple question even when engaging in the most mundane of daily business practices and we create space to develop new and creative ways of doing business. During our discovery of becoming a Zero Waste Business, we found it takes more than just taking out the recycling to become a responsible company-it takes looking at every stage of business practices. We admit there have been difficult junctures along our journey that have yet to be resolved, however, we continue to save space to allow us to circle back to these challenges and we believe in the transparency of our sustainability vulnerabilities. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are cornerstone values we choose to infuse into all areas of business practices. These practices prioritize not only sustainability, but dedicate tangible areas that offer transparent resources and stewardship opportunities. We believe in sharing all sustainability knowledge with staff and community to assist others in also practicing sustainable living choices. We understand ignoring our impact on our natural world may be less complicated, but we also understand there is no natural world if we choose not to care for it as it has cared for us. Pack Rat Outdoor Center will remain conscious and responsive to our responsibility to our natural world through ensuring business practices that strategize the most current sustainable business choices. We believe in transparency so we will update our metrics and resources quarterly to provide the most current information on our practices. Waste diversion is dynamic and markets are variable so these resources may change at any moment.
Plastic #1 & #2: https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/1297/Recycling
Plastic #5: https://www.totalrecycling.llc
Aluminum & Steel: https://www.totalrecycling.llc
Cardboard: https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/1297/Recycling
Paper: https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/1297/Recycling
Plastic #4 Merchandising Bags: https://www.moistureshield.com
(Plastic dropped off at recycling plant in Lincoln, Arkansas)
Food Waste: https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/1297/Recycling
Terracycle:
--Food Wrappers and Single-Use Cups, Lids, and Straws
https://www.adventuresubaru.com/eco-friendly.htm
--Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling for Contact Lens Cases
--ARM & HAMMER™ and OXICLEAN™ Pouch Recycling Program
--BIC® Stationery Recycling Program
--Colgate® Oral Care Recycling Program
--eos Recycling Program
--Febreze Air Care Recycling Program
--Gillette® Razor Local Recycling Solutions
--Late July® Snacks Recycling Program
--Mountain House Recycling Program
--Performance Nutrition Recycling Program
--RB Health & Nutrition Local Recycling Solutions
--Rubbermaid® Food Storage Recycling Program
--Swiffer® Recycling Program
--Tom's of Maine Natural Care Recycling Program
https://www.terracycle.com/en-US
Bubble Wrap and Foam Packing Materials: https://mailcousa.com/
Ink Cartridges:
https://www.officedepot.com/storelocator/ar/fayetteville/office-depot-343
Donations for Clothing and Shoes:
https://peaceathomeshelter.org/thrift-shop/
Donations for Reusable Goods: https://www.pottershousethrift.com
Silica Packets: Saved to donate to individuals/organizations in need of this resource
While waste diversion is an important piece of the dynamic puzzle that creates a sustainable business, diverting waste from the landfill comes with victories and challenges. We appreciate the merit of sharing our successes as much as we respect the value of communicating the areas of potential growth. We use these areas of growth to help us make business procurement decisions and create community conversation about how to resolve currently unresolvable issues. As we practice transparency, we invite others to help us in our pursuit to solve the issue of waste we struggle to divert from the landfill. Below is a list of waste streams that have yet to be diverted:
- Styrofoam
- Plastic Gift Cards
- Irregular Shaped #1 or #2 plastics
- Paper Cartons/Tetrapak Packaging
- Air Unit Filters
- Water Filters
- Vinyl Stickers
- Plastic Coated Paper
- Packing Tape
- Plastic Shipping Binding
