| Gills Onions, the largest onion processor in the United States, is committed
to achieving zero waste at their processing facility and administrative
office located in Oxnard, California. Zero waste encompasses a strategy
that aims to maximize recycling, minimize waste, and reduce consumption
of materials, energy and water. It is a long-term goal attainable through
a systematic and incremental approach. Gills Onions is motivated to pursue
zero waste initiatives not only because of increasing customer demand,
regulatory pressures and economic incentives but also because it wants
to be accountable for its environmental impacts. The company has already
taken steps towards reducing its waste, namely by using onion waste to
produce energy, and is now looking to the Bren School to provide a holistic
analysis of their entire business operation. This Group Project will therefore
provide a comprehensive audit and analysis of all of Gills Onions material,
energy and water flows, quantify their waste streams, and identify opportunities
for reduction, reuse, recycling, or material substitution where possible.
By providing Gills Onions with the information and strategic plan requisite
for achieving zero waste, the company will be able to influence other food
processors to follow its example. |