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Recycling Initiative
05.14.2021
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Proposed By
Nicholas Kirkorian, Maintenance Supervisor
Kirkorian Enterprises
290 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95030
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Table Of Contents:

Executive Summary……………………...……………………………………………….……3

Problem & Necessity…………..………………………………………………………………5-4

Project Description……………………………………………………………………….…....6-7

Cost Analysis …………………………………………………………………………….……..8

Assessment Strategy…….……………………………………………………………….…..…9

Conclusion……………………………………………………………..…………………..........9

Appendices…………………………………………………………………….…………….….10

Works Cited…………………………………………………...……….………...…………..11-13
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Executive Summary:

Overview

Kirkorian Enterprises was founded in 1950 and now holds properties in cities across California,
Utah, and Nevada. Kirkorian Enterprises specializes in commercial and office building repair,
renovation, and construction. At Kirkorian Enterprises, we operate with the intent to make every
employee part of the family and build strong relationships with our lessees. The maintenance
team aims to make sure the properties stay clean, look professional, and function correctly. As
the maintenance department, our mission is to make sure our lessees are pleased and especially
our executives. Being able to be a part of this family is one thing that we never take for granted;
each employee at Kirkorian Enterprises receives more than enough benefits and acceptance. In
addition, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to clean up our community and add to the
annual amount of funding for non-profit organizations from the Kirkorian Family Foundation.

Problem

Over the past summers, I have worked on the maintenance team; whether I was cleaning
shopping centers, repairing buildings, or renovating stores, there is a heavy amount of recyclable
materials we use or find. Unfortunately, these pieces of plastic we gather are scattered across
shopping centers and commercial buildings. Frequently pieces of plastic and trash are collected
but not recycled. We want our buildings, and the community's around them to look clean and
healthy. Unfortunately, after seeing all the littering and improper recycling, our commercial
centers and community are not treated correctly.

Solution

While cleaning or renovating commercial buildings and centers, the maintenance team can
collect all recyclable items and place them in separate bags. While making our centers look
professional and contribute to cleaning up the community, we can turn all of our monthly
recyclables in for an acceptable amount of money to donate to the Kirkorian Family Foundation
or other charities. Also, when renovating, there are many appliances and scrap metals that
recycling centers could collect. Currently, there are two recycling centers in the area to support
Ranch Town Recycling Center in San Jose and Goodwill Industries located in Cambell. The
Kirkorian Family foundation already donates a shocking $200,000 annually to organizations
helping the community. With the number of recyclables collected, we could add even more to the
donations to organizations trying to solve trash pick-up or other services.
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Problem

Wasteland
Since recording began in the 1960s, the United States has never had a higher recycling rate than
35%. When people do not recycle the necessary materials, our landfills begin to produce many
chemicals that are toxic to humans. Our landfills are also beginning to lose space, not to mention
the amount of littering and trash under and above the Earth's surface. The world produces 2
million metric tons of waste annually, and Americans rank number one in per capita waste. In
addition, the United States is the only developed country in the world where MSW generation is
greater than recycling.

Almost half of all landfill is made up of recyclable materials. Our whole world has the ability to
lower the amount of toxic waste; however, we continue not to take the opportunity that's right in
front of us. A report found that 68% of the time, recyclables fail to be recycled. All of the
recyclables we see in our centers and properties take a significant number of years to decompose
into the Earth. Aluminum cans take 250 years to decompose, plastic bottles take 450 years, glass
takes almost 1 million years, and styrofoam will never decompose. Unfortunately, our
communities continue to be lazy, and we have the ability to take matters into their own hands.
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Necessity
Our maintenance team can begin our initiative by collecting and gathering our own recyclables
and the ones we find while cleaning and renovating the properties. We definitely have enough
room in most of our work trucks to each carry separate bins for plastics, aluminum, specific
scrap metal, and glass. With our strong relationships with the lessees, we can encourage them
and our community's to recycle. With the profits we make from the recycling centers, we can
donate to landfill and waste organizations or other non-profits. If our employees were appointed
to complete these tasks, our company would be benefiting its property and community while
making a difference for everyone. The Recycling Initiative can have many effects by supporting
multiple issues our communities face.

Landfills continue to run out of space, and in 2018 there was a report of Americans sending
nearly 150 million tons of waste to landfills annually. Looking at the chart below, we can see that
recyclable materials(Plastic and Paper) make up a lot of the landfill over the years.

People need to start emphasizing the importance of recycling and its toxic effects on the
environment and our planet. Our organization must work together to influence our community
and help make a difference. With the commitment from the maintenance team, we can benefit
the company, the environment, and the areas around our properties.
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Project Description

I propose that the maintenance team bring separate bins or trash bags, with each being assigned
different recyclable waste. Each week these bags will begin to
fill up. Some of the maintenance crew will deliver these
materials monthly or annually(depending on amounts collected)
to a recycling center and collect the profits for the individual
parts of waste. The profits gained will be used to support
organizations of the companies choosing or be donated to the
Kirkorian Family Foundation.

This initiative will benefit our companies properties, as well as

the community around them. In addition, this plan will boost
our companies morale because we know we will be making a difference as well as pleasing our
executives. Instead of throwing waste away to be headed to the landfill, we will adequately take
care of the long decomposing waste to be recycled. With our strong relationships with the
lessees, we could influence them to provide specific recycling bins for the customers. Also, with
the profits we receive from the number of recyclables turned in, we have the ability to donate to
organizations that truly make a difference. This initiative will impact all of our properties and
create less littered waste off the sites and streets.

I have noticed that many of our centers and commercial buildings do not have designated waste
bins for trash or recycling. In addition to the
maintenance team collecting individual types of
recyclables, our company should look to purchase
designated trash bins for all of our properties to
influence the people in the communities to throw
away their trash correctly.
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Triple Bottom Line

The triple bottom line is a framework that helps

companies make decisions and evaluate their
performance based on three aspects. Instead of only
focusing on profits, the triple bottom line
encourages companies to also commit to social and
environmental concerns. For a company to last long
term, the three values, People, Planet, and Profits,
must be emphasized. The recycling initiative
commits to all three of these essential values. For
instance:
People: Our employees will be able to boost
morale for both themselves and the people in the
community. In addition, the possible donations made from the profits received in exchange for
recycling can help the people of organizations as well as those they support(Ex. Homeless,
Foster care, mental health).
Planet: We will not be able to impact the whole planet, but the recycling initiative will get
recyclables off the streets and out of landfills. Recycling tremendously helps our planet, and
instead of taking years and years to decompose, these pieces will be reused and reduced. This
plan primarily aims to help the environment and reduce pollution for our planet.
Profit: This will result in a profit from trading in recyclable materials; however, all profit will be
distributed towards non-profit organizations and charities. In the long term, our company will
benefit from the support we give and the cleanliness of our properties, so new lessees will be
eager to use our buildings.

Integrating Plan Into Company Culture

I am confident that this initiative will be well received and integrated into the organizational
culture. Every employee at Kirkorian Enterprises is aware of the donations the Kirkorian Family
Foundation commits to and how we want our customers to see us. This plan is simple, already
our maintenance crew is advised to repair, clean, and professionally present the properties.
Implementing this plan will emphasize all three of those tasks because we provide more support
for the properties and communities. The plan is also credible; properties that are well maintained
and presented are viewed as higher-tiered, which gains more attention and customers. Also, the
project is emotional; we will help clean our planet while also donating to charities and
organizations that help make a difference. Lastly, the project is unexpected; our properties will
look professional and bring in new clients. Also, who knows what kind of an influence this will
have on others in the community and the new amounts of donations to be given.
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Cost Analysis

There will be no cost to initiate this plan unless Kirkorian Enterprises decides to purchase
designated recycling and trash bins for all shopping centers and commercial buildings. The
recycling bins are expensive, but we do not have to add in the cost for trash cans, given that all
properties have many. Below is the potential cost:
Cost of one outdoor Trashbin # of trash bins needed Total Cost

$240 100 $24,000

In addition, to get a better perspective on the possible refund amounts received from the
recycling centers, the California Refund Values are shown below:

Recycled Material CRV

Individual beverage container under 24 OZ $0.05

Individual beverage container 24 or greater $0.10

1 pound of aluminum cans $1.65

1 pound of plastic bottles $1.27

It takes around 23 plastic bottles to weigh a pound. Also, it takes about 24 aluminum cans to
make a pound. After our first year of gathering all collected recyclable materials, we will get the
exact CRV generated from all trade-ins. Overall, there will not be any cost to the company unless
designated recycled bins are purchased. This initiative will only bring benefits to the community
and environment.
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Assessment Strategy

To evaluate the proposed change, we will be able to use the monthly and an annual total of
recyclables gathered from our properties as well as consumed by our employees. By going to the
recycling center monthly or annually, we will get an exact count or weight of recycled materials
traded in for refunds.

Immediately, we will be able to see the number of recycled materials stored from our properties
and the recyclables used by our employees. The recycling centers will count or approximately
weigh per pound the amount of each type of material we trade-in. With the refunds we receive,
the amount will determine the success. Long term, we will hope to see a consistent amount of
recycled materials primarily from our work and consumption. We aim to influence our
community and lower the number of littered materials at our properties, so we hope that a steady
annual number of materials generated from ourselves.

Regarding the Kirkorian Family Foundation

and the donations we give to charities, we
will be able to see the sums of profit
generated from our recyclables. In addition,
this initiative will cause an increase in
donation support from the Kirkorian Family
Foundation.

Conclusion

The Recycling Initiative will bring nothing but support for the company, the clients, and the
community. The maintenance crew will continue to do their part for the company while
emphasizing the importance of proper recycling. Properties owned by Kirkorian Enterprise will
be professionally presented to customers and lessees. In addition, the money generated from
collecting the recyclables will be donated by Kirkorian Enterprises to charities and non-profit
organizations that want to make a difference. Employees at Kirkorian Enterprises will be able to
make a difference for the planet, the people and gain more awareness of the type of culture and
professionalism the organization carries. Long-term, our organizations' influence and cleaning of
our community will lead to less littering and proper disposal of waste. New clients will begin to
notice the support and attention we give to our community and properties. Also, charities and
organizations will be able to benefit from our donations that we contributed to by recycling.
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Appendix

TO: Kirkorian Enterprises Maintenance Employees

FROM: Nicholas Kirkorian
DATE: May 14th 2021
SUBJECT: Beginning Recycling Intitaive Plan

I am ecstatic to inform you that Kirkorian Enterprises will launch the "Recycling Initiative" this
week. This plan comes with many benefits, and I cannot wait to see what type of difference this
makes for our organization and the environment.

I want you to know how confident I am in this team to show total commitment to initiating our
recycling plan. This initiative will bring benefits to both our company and our community
around all of our properties. We will begin by having specific bins/bags for each type of
recyclable material. As you have all seen, wherever we go to work, our properties constantly
have trash and recycled materials lying around. We already take the time to clean the areas;
however, we will start recycling properly and trading in our materials for profit. Annually we
will total our profit from our recycled materials and provide support for the Kirkorian Family
Foundation to donate to charities and non-profit organizations.

We all know we drink a lot of water at work. Every morning I put a whole pack of arrowhead
waters in our ice chest, which typically only lasts half the workday. We can store all of our empty
bottles in bins, plus the recyclables we find while working at the properties and trade those in at
recycling centers. With the refunds we receive from the centers, we can annually use those funds
to support a charity or organization. It is a double benefit because we are cleaning the planet, as
well as helping people.

You may ask why we do not keep the profits are selves, but we all know the type of company
and family we are. We give back to the community. Thank you for your time guys, let me know
if you have any questions or concerns. I will see you all this summer, ready to work.

Sincerely,

Nick Kirkorian
Maintenance Supervisor
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Works Cited

Bell, Shelby. “The Decomposition Clock.” RoadRunner Recycling,

www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/decomposition-clock.

California, State of. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ),

www.calrecycle.ca.gov/bevcontainer/programinfo/faq.

Creativeresultsmanagement. “7 Ways To Make Your Message Stick.” Keith Webb, 23 July

2020, keithwebb.com/7-ways-to-make-your-message-stick/.

Deer, Ryan. “Landfills: We're Running Out of Space.” RoadRunner Recycling,

www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/landfills-were-running-out-of-space.

Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei. “Kirkorian Family Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica, 9
May 2013, projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/201968695.

“PET - Plastic Water / Soda Bottles - By Bale Weights, Size and Recycling Equipment.”
PET Plastic Water and Soda Bottles - Recycling Equipment Bale Weights,
www.wastecare.com/usefulinfo/PET-Plastic-Water-Soda-Bottles-Bale-Weights.htm.