Conserving Resources

Recycling and Waste Reduction

In 2009, NI identified an opportunity to reduce waste by examining its printing and copying paper use habits. In 2010, NI worked with the NI Green Team to change all applicable printers at its headquarters capable of printing double-sided to do so by default.

The waste vendor used by NI corporate headquarters through 2009 did not offer a way to measure the exact amount of nonhazardous waste sent to a landfill from the facility. NI evaluated other waste vendors in 2009, and exact measurement of waste was one of the criteria NI used during evaluation. However, the vendor NI contracted with in January 2010 also offers only estimates of waste sent to the landfill. Trash decreased by 5 percent and recycling decreased by 12 percent in 2010, mainly due to increased employee education and awareness about the importance of reuse habits.

In addition to recycling paper, cardboard, and so on, in 2010 NI recycled 16,197 kg of electronic waste. Also, for the past several years, NI headquarters has recycled used batteries by setting up collection points in each building. NI more than doubled the amount of batteries recycled in 2010 compared to 2009. This was due to increased awareness of the program (an effort driven by the NI Green Team), as well as recycling a backlog of batteries from late 2009 when NI was between battery-recycling vendors. In 2011, NI will work with the NI Green Team to evaluate whether electronic waste can be reused in conjunction with the Goodwill recycling program.

Trash sent to landfills increased by only 1 percent at NI Hungary despite a 6 percent increase in headcount. This was partially due to increasing recycling 43 percent over 2009. Recycling increased because of more careful attention paid to separating recyclables from waste, and the addition of solder dross and electronic waste to the list of items recycled.

NI Canada initiated recycling programs for eyeglasses and batteries, and also began composting coffee grounds.

Estimated Trash Sent to Landfills*

Estimated Trash Sent to Landfills (kg)

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	564,467	361,197	170,580	162,036
Per employee	259	176	74	62
Hungary	83,540	107,140	81,200	81,700
Per employee	103	104	87	83

*Trash estimates are calculated based on the size of the containers and how often they are emptied.

Nonhazardous Waste Recycled

Nonhazardous Waste Recycled (kg)

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	147,178	95,568	121,404	107,051
Per employee	68	42	53	41
Hungary	119,089	166,277	115,036	164,211
Per employee	146	161	124	166

*NI Hungary recycling numbers include electronic waste, while NI headquarters recycling numbers do not. Electronic waste at headquarters is calculated separately.

Batteries Recycled

Batteries Recycled (kg)

Campus	2007	2008	2009	2010
Headquarters	603	816	579	1,387
Per employee	0.23	0.31	0.22	0.53