Reducing, reusing and recycling can reduce an organization's costs, provide a sense of pride and assist your community in sustaining a quality environment.  Dakota Valley Recycling recognizes businesses, schools and organizations that keep the environment in mind with ARROW: Awards for Reduction & Recycling Of Waste.  ARROW is a free, voluntary program for businesses in Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville that do any of the following:

• Recycling. Your business has a recycling program in place, recyclables are included in a hauler contract for your facility, and/or scraps from production materials are included in merchandis production.
• Reducing resource use. Your business has implemented practices that reduce energy consumption, reduced the amount of packaging for the products sold, revised forms from a 2-page document to a two-sided single page, and/or computerized your requisition system.
• Reusing materials.  Your business reuses solvent or manufacturing byproducts generated on site or from another business, reuses shipping pallets or other supply elements, and/or procures office or lobby furniture from programs like Minnesota Materials Exchange.
• Buying recycled goods.  Your business buy materials or supplies with recycled content.
• Selling recycled goods.  Your business sells products or merchandise containing recycled materials or content.

Americans use 85 million tons of paper per year; about 680 pounds per person.  Recycling is an important and accepted way to reduce the impact on our natural resources.  In 2003, 5.75 million trees were saved because of paper recycling in Minnesota alone.  Reducing and reusing further these efforts.  People overwhelmingly see recycling efforts as a positive step for businesses to take. They are also buying more recycled-content products and supporting environmentally-minded businesses.

To have your business or organization recognized by the ARROW program, simply fill out the application here and return it to Dakota Valley Recycling via mail, email or fax.  Since 2002, over 130 local businesses, schools and organizations have joined the ARROW program to be recognized for their environmentally-preferable choices in managing resource use.  See the directory of current ARROW members here.

When your business or organization is recognized by ARROW, you will receive a certificate and window cling to let customers know that you care about resource use and a clean, healthy community.  Your business will also be included in Dakota Valley Recycling's annual advertisement, which is published during the week of America Recycles Day (November 15).  Additionally, your business and a link to your website will be added to the Dakota Valley Recycling ARROW member directory.