Recycle at Work Businesses, continued...
Epson Portland Inc. - Hillsboro, Oregon
Pictured: Kimberley Sackman
How does the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen help Epson meet its environmental goals? Kimberley Sackman, Environmental Specialist, of Epson Portland Inc. (EPI) explains that Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement management, is designed to move organizations beyond simple productivity enhancements in order to humanize the workplace, eliminate labor intensive work and provide employees with an outlet to streamline their daily duties. How does this apply to environmental programs?
"Epson has been practicing 'green' for a long time, and we've exhausted the simple ideas. Our Kaizen management principles allow us to reach new heights and make our practices even darker green," Sackman said. Proof of this is EPI's project to capture waste water used in the ink making process and redirect it to flush toilets. In addition, EPI has recently implemented a durable packaging reuse program, eliminating the use of cardboard in the shipping of products. They have also partnered with business neighbors, Norm Thompson and Technapack, to develop a new employee recycling program for polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). They have a Zero Waste to landfill initiative and alternative employee transportation options. Evidence of EPI's environmental commitment and innovation is made clear by the company's "wall of fame" that showcases awards from organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), City of Portland Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST), Salmon Safe, Portland Business Journal, and many more. Recently, the Washington County Recycle at Work Business Award was added to EPI's efforts in going above and beyond.
City of Tigard - Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Jennifer Jo, Nick Nissen
Nick Nissen, the Facilities Services Supervisor of the Public Works Division has an infectious "can do" attitude about how to manage the city's infrastructure. He and his team must make numerous decisions that reflect innovative choices which empower employees and lessen the environmental impacts of constructing and maintaining roads, buildings and the acres of landscape that are all part of the team's responsibility. On construction projects, they reuse dirt, asphalt and gravel, return wooden pallets and flower pots to vendors, and reuse boxes and packaging or donate them to other businesses. Nick promotes the use of recycled-content products among his colleagues when purchasing new supplies. He plans ahead and purchases high quality post-consumer recycled-content supplies in bulk, reducing the costs associated with packaging and transportation and delivery of the products. A purchasing policy ensures the use of recycled-content office and cleaning supplies, as well as environmentally friendly pesticides for insect pest management. The city also earns money recycling aluminum and brass.
Transportation decisions have also helped reduce the city's carbon footprint. The City of Tigard fleet includes twelve hybrid vehicles; the trucks also use biodiesel, and they encourage employees to use alternative transportation by offering time off or gift card incentives to staff when they carpool or use mass transit. Inspired by the 2009 Tree City USA Growth Award, where the city received recognition for its conservation efforts, the Public Works Division is constructing an eco-friendly restroom at the Jim Griffith Memorial Skate Park. It will feature faucets that shut off automatically, push-button hand dryers, solar lighting and low-flow toilets. In addition, sensors will be installed to regulate lights and heating.
"Operating in a sustainable way results in cost savings, but it also means looking beyond the short-term benefits. We have realized that durable equipment, fuel-efficient vehicles and green practices really pay off over the long-term through reduced maintenance and labor costs." – Nick Nissen, Facilities Services Supervisor
Pacific Landscape Management – Hillsboro, Oregon
Pictured: Cory Peterson, Mike Rice, Elias Godinez
Pacific Landscape Management (PLM), a provider of landscaping services in the Portland Metropolitan area, is reducing the impact of its maintenance services through the use of organic blended fertilizers and through the practice of weather-based irrigation and drought tolerant plantings that conserve water. PLM built a bioswale, installed an Eco-Lawn and a rain garden at its Hillsboro Hillsboro
"Sustainability in all forms is essential to us. We ensure the equipment we purchase has low emissions, we conserve and generate our own energy, and we operate as efficiently as possible. Recognizing water as the valuable resource it is, we strive to provide the most effective irrigation management in the Portland Metropolitan area." – Mike Rice, South Metro Area Manager
Insomnia Coffee Company – Hillsboro , Oregon
Pictured: Tyler Geel
Insomnia Coffee is a champion of reuse. Its creative reuse of building décor materials gives the Hillsboro Portland State University
"Our goal is to educate and involve our staff and customers in our vision; showing that it is fun to reuse and recycle. We have found that it truly saves us money and helps us build a unique, creative and comfortable atmosphere." –Tyler Geel, owner
City of Cornelius – Cornelius , Oregon
Pictured: Amber Mathiesen, Dave Waffle, Dick Reynolds
The City of Cornelius
"Cornelius is striving to create a clean, 'green' and sustainable city. Using 'green' practices in city departments sets the example for our entire community." – Amber Mathiesen, management analyst.
Woodfold Manufacturing - Forest Grove, Oregon
Pictured: Kevin Emerick
Woodfold Manufacturing is an employee-owned manufacturer of custom doors, shutters, and bookshelves. Woodfold's employee mantra is to 'work lean and work clean.' This has made sustainability a natural part of doing business. Through Woodfold's lean manufacturing philosophy, they have become more selective in the use of resources. They recycle 75 percent of their waste and offer employee training on topics such as waste and its impact on the environment.
"Recycling is an important part of our sustainable business practice. It has proven, like so many of our sustainability initiatives, that it's not only good for the environment but also good for business."- Kevin Emerick, environmental health and safety manager
WHPacific - Portland, Oregon
WHPacific specializes in engineering, architecture, surveying and planning and has offices in eight states. The Portland office is a leader in the company for consistently raising the bar in regards to sustainability. There was a time when recycling was not available at the building where WHPacific leased space, so they developed a staff-supported recycling program on their own. They also have a sustainable purchasing policy and a green catering policy.
"The Portland office has been leading WHPacific down a green brick road. Their ideas and strategies have subsequently been implemented in several other offices. We celebrate the Portland office for their success in recycling and waste reduction and also their part in greening our behaviors company-wide." - Cheryl Marks, business development manager and sustainability specialist
Oregon Scientific - Tualatin, Oregon
Pictured: Refael Morales, Tara Homsley, Julia Lenocker, Garrett Buchanan
Oregon Scientific, a wholesale distributor of consumer electronic products, saves money by preventing waste. In addition to expanding their recycling program to include all materials in the mixed recycling system, the company set up a separate plastic film and bubble wrap collection with a plastics recycler. Oregon Scientific reuses materials in its operations and donates usable cardboard boxes, foam peanuts, batteries, wood pallets, computers and other electronic devices to businesses, institutions and individuals. These efforts have resulted in an annual savings of more than $2,000 this year! The company's purchasing policy ensures the procurement of Energy Star equipment, recycled-content office supplies and green cleaning products.
"Our partnership with Recycle at Work has helped us to improve our waste reduction program and has shown us tangible results for our efforts." - Tara Homsley, inventory coordinator
IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (A Ricoh Company) - Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Christine Stonesifer, Jillian Daley, Neal McQuarrie, Kris Hobson, Jennifer Berman
IKON, a provider of document management systems and services, is finding innovative ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. IKON staff use a single-serve coffee machine, reuse packaging and office supplies, purchase products in bulk, use durable dishware, and also de-construct machines to recover parts. They utilize print-preview technology features on computers, blackberries and iPhones to reduce unnecessary printing. To conserve energy, staff unplugs electrical equipment when not in use, dial down screen brightness on monitors, there are climate controls for each work area and sensors in place for lighting fixtures. IKON also sells Energy Star equipment.
"Spreading the word about IKON's commitment to environmental stewardship programs and resources, both to employees and customers, is an important priority for Oregon in 2009 and beyond"- Christine Stonesifer, area vice president
SOLV - Hillsboro, Oregon
Pictured: Quintin Bauer, Rick Fiedler, Dianne Smiley, Mike Phillips, Brett Lyon, Jalene Braun, Bonnie Gretz
SOLV, a non-profit organization, has implemented a purchasing policy ensuring the use of recycled-content products including office stationery, sign boards, banners and trash bags. In addition to purchasing products from environmentally certified manufacturers, all publications are printed with soy ink. SOLV organizes events to reduce employee driving, provides durable towels and dishware for staff, donates computers for reuse, and collects food waste for compost. New employees receive free bus passes, and a company bike is available for employee use.
"As an organization that encourages Oregonians to take care of their state, we at SOLV feel that we should do everything we can to be sustainable. SOLV staff are not only committed to eco-friendly habits at work, but also at home." - Brett Lyon, outreach coordinator
Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) - Beaverton, Oregon
Pictured: Monte Carstens, Cheryl Welch, Cindy Maas, Scott Page, Kendal Decker, Tina Alexander, Jim Meierotto, Collin Fleming
Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD), a utility provider of water for much of Washington County, has focused on increasing the sustainability of its internal operations since 2001. In addition to basic recycling and sustainable purchasing, TVWD reuses or recycles uniforms, shoes, electronics, old meter registers, cell phones, styrofoam, and even lawnmowers! Stainless steel travel mugs are provided to all employees and durable dishware and silverware are standard in all break rooms. Energy Star equipment is utilized, variable frequency drives are employed in appropriate pump stations and new opportunities are constantly being evaluated. To top it off, 100 percent of the District's remaining greenhouse gas emissions are balanced with carbon offsets and renewable energy credits.
"Tualatin Valley Water District is charged with managing one of the world's most valuable natural resources, so sustainability in all its forms is essential to us. We strive to deliver quality water and customer service in a manner that provides regional leadership, protects the Earth's environment, supports a strong economy, and promotes a robust community." - Cheryl Welch, strategic planning coordinator
Scholls Valley Native Nursery LLC - Gales Creek, Oregon
Pictured: Len Norwitz, Al Mowbray, George Kral, Sara Kral
Scholls Valley Native Nursery grows native plants for restoration contractors, municipalities and nurseries. They employ conservation methods such as drip irrigation to minimize water use and practice cover crop and crop-rotation techniques. Scholls Valley Native Nursery voluntarily restored riparian areas of Gales and Roderick Creeks. The company's "green" purchases include recycled-content office supplies, a hybrid automobile and energy through the PGE Green Source Options Program.
"It is all about making the right environmental choices for us and for future generations. We take a holistic approach to growing and supplying native plants. Our plants restore the land and we want to make sure our practices are consistent with that goal." - Sara Kral, owner
The American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO) - Tigard, Oregon 
The American Lung Association, a non-profit organization, provides programs for people with lung disease and advocates for policies that improve indoor and outdoor air quality. ALAO adopted a purchasing policy supporting the procurement of environmentally preferred products such as recycled-content copy paper, paper towels, greeting cards, file folders, and colored paper. ALAO donates electronics to organizations that refurbish, resell or recycle them. Additionally, ALAO reduces waste by providing staff and volunteers with durable dishware and utensils, reusable towels, and an office book and magazine exchange.
"The ALAO staff is environmentally conscious and the transition has been easy. Providing the tools and removing barriers makes eco-friendly practices an easy habit to adopt." - Dana Kaye, executive director
Pacific Natural Foods - Tualatin, Oregon
Pictured: Rory Schmick, Juan Olguin Perez, David Luna, Athena Ehnot
Pacific Natural Foods, a leader in natural, organic foods, has been incorporating sustainable practices in their operation for years. During the first six months of 2009, they recycled 60 percent of their solid waste or approximately 95 tons per month. They also recycle all organic waste, composting all their tea waste and annually converting six million pounds of soy by-product into high-protein cattle feed.
"We're proud to be a part of the Recycle at Work community. At Pacific Natural Foods we strive to integrate environmental considerations into every business decision we make, including how we manage our solid waste and recycling program. We envision a future in which we've completely closed the loop on our waste stream and we look forward to partnering with the Recycle at Work program to help us get there." – Jon Gehrs, president of packaged product division
Ash Creek Forest Management LLC - Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Front - Melissa Rowe Soll, Garla Isaacson, Karen Golden, Sara Kral, Matt Stine; Back - John Goetz III, George Kral
Ash Creek Forest Management LLC, a natural resource restoration firm, uses only native plants to restore wetlands, riparian corridors, and other natural areas. Over the past ten years, Ash Creek has installed more than 3.2 million native trees and shrubs. In addition, they have created purchasing policies to ensure the materials they bring into their office are as sustainable as the material they plant outside their office. Employees are partially compensated if they bike, walk, carpool or use public transportation to get to work, decreasing the number of cars on the road and their carbon emissions.
"Ash Creek's mission is to make our world a better place. We want everything we do to support this central mission.” - George Kral, Forester
ClubSport– Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Front - Jennifer Bell, Kari Timmerman, Shelle Garlock, Jason Schlager, Candy Parker, Gail Hoddevik; Back - Amanda Good, Lisa Greenough, Bob Dolan, Jarod Cogswell, Adrian Henninger
ClubSport, a fitness center, is committed to sustainable business practices. Durable dishware is used in their café, fryer oil is collected and donated to a local company to make bio-fuel, and lighting and water fixtures have been replaced with those that use less energy and conserve water.
“Green business practices just make sense for our club. Our members like it, it saves us money, and we feel good about being part of a community’s solution for sustainability and resource conservation.” - Shelle Garlock, administrative assistant
GeoDesign Inc. - Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Erin Warner, Dacia Hawkins, Stacey Reynolds, Viola Lai
GeoDesign Inc., an engineering consulting firm, is committed to sustainable business operations. Ongoing efforts range from replacing employee monitors with more energy-efficient models, to implementing a purchasing policy encouraging the use of recycled-content products. Employees even collect athletic shoes for recycling! The employee Green Team, The Renew Crew, adds to this culture by raising awareness among staff through newsletters and blogs providing green tips and Earth Day activities. “Our goal is to reduce our impact on the environment from the office to the home. We believe in good stewardship of the earth, both as a company and as individuals.” - Dacia Hawkins, project administrator
Ticor Title Insurance (Amberglen) - Hillsboro, Oregon
Pictured: Autumn Gordon, Rochelle Navarro, Devon Morse, Heather McCarty, Dian Coler
Ticor Title Insurance, a title company located in Hillsboro, implemented a sustainable purchasing policy. Instead of paper copies, Ticor distributes CD’s to its clients that contain the multiple closing documents generated when purchasing a home. It saves more then 100 pieces of paper for each client. “It’s just the right thing to do, and it saves us money on office supplies.” - Heather McCarty, business development specialist.
Ticor Title Insurance - Tigard, Oregon
Pictured: Julie Dethlefs, Sharron Burgum, Leann Harris, Laura Flynn, Valeria Telesc, Matt Houston
Ticor Title Insurance, a title company, has taken extra steps to ensure their office “goes green” by hosting trainings for the real estate agents they work with to encourage green business practices, to decreasing the paper consumed during each client transaction. “Our customers and our agents know we are committed to decreasing our overall waste, recycling, and promoting sustainable business practices to companies we work with and the clients.” - Leann Harris, business development specialist
