82.1 F
San Fernando
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

A Model of Sustainability

In 2007, Chris Stetson asked his employer, Precision Dynamics Corp., about what the company was doing to be environmentally sustainable. The term generally refers to reducing one’s impact on the environment through recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and more. “The company didn’t have a lot of answers,” said Stetson, web master for the San Fernando-based manufacturer of identification wrist bands. It wasn’t that they didn’t have environmentally sound practices, but they had no system in place to answer the questions. With the blessing of management, Stetson launched the Green Team. The idea was to tap volunteers within the company to meet on a regular basis, examine ways to reduce the business’ environmental impact, and coordinate education and volunteer opportunities for employees. Three years later, the Green Team has grown from a grassroots initiative into a fully integrated part of the business. And it’s not just a bunch of eco-talk. The team is having a positive impact on Precision Dynamic’s company culture and bottom line. “Now we have a full-blown environmental management system that ties into everything we do,” said Stetson, who leads the Green Team. “I’m totally amazed every day about how far we’ve come.” Starting small The Green Team consists of a core group of eight volunteers, including upper level management. Meetings attract anywhere from 10 to 20 employees. The group started by addressing “low-hanging fruit” such as the company’s practice of supplying employees with styrofoam cups for coffee and tissue paper for their desks, and people over-using printing machines. The team convinced management to stop purchasing styrofoam cups and require employees to bring their own coffee mugs. As an alternative, they sold reusable mugs made out of 100 percent corn plastic. Employees also had to bring tissue from home. “There was anger,” said Susan Farrell, national accounts supervisor, adding the team also placed “Think before you print” signs on copiers, encouraged people to turn off computer monitors when not in use, and started a plastic bottle and aluminum can recycling program. “Some employees said, ‘What are you going to take away next?’” she said. But the initial shock and lash back were short lived. The team began sending out weekly green tips to employees and convinced the company to install energy efficient lighting, purchase non-toxic cleaning supplies and install automatic towel dispensers in restrooms. Management caught on quickly to the team’s potential. Success of the first few initiatives led management to provide the group with funding within its first year. “It was a grassroots thing, and people would notice what we were doing around the office,” said Shawn Farrell, customer care generalist. “We started with little things and built up the ladder. And once we proved ourselves, management gave us a budget.” Financial upsides The Green Team also generates its own income. Proceeds from the sale of re-usable coffee mugs and the company’s recycling program go directly into the group’s budget. The company recycles: aluminum cans, batteries, electronic waste, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes, film, light bulbs, paints/solvents, paper/cardboard, and plastic bottles. And the sustainability programs help Precision Dynamics’ bottom line. At the group’s urging, the company installed eight waterless urinals that save an estimated 416,000 gallons of water and $12,362 in water costs per year. It reduced the use of chipboard in packaging by 40 percent to save approximately 75,000 pounds of waste and $50,000 annually. And the company changed to a less paper intensive media clipping service that reduced waste and saves $1,200 to $1,560 per year. The company touts the Green Team’s success for marketing and public relations purposes too. It dedicated a whole section of the web site to the group’s accomplishments and on-going initiatives. The group helps educate other businesses in the area about how to make similar changes. Employees participate in beach and trail clean-ups. The company hosts an annual Earth Day Fair and electronics waste recycling drive. And Precision Dynamics donates a portion of domestic proceeds to the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We have received support from customers too,” said Daniel Hobin, director of marketing communications. “More and more customers prefer to do business with companies that have environmental sustainability programs.” Job satisfaction Beyond saving money and the environment, Green Team members said participating in the group is a plus for job satisfaction. “I work on the leisure and entertainment side of the business, and just selling wrist bands to shows is not going to have a lasting impact,” said Shawn Farrell. “Knowing these changes will outlast me makes going to work even more enjoyable. The Green Team also encourages out of the box thinking.” Stetson said the fact that Precision Dynamics’ CEO and upper-level management have supported the project from the beginning speaks volumes about the company. And maintaining the Green Team’s momentum requires keeping everybody in the loop. “The biggest advice I can give to other companies wanting to start this type of program is to start small and work your way up,” he said. “You also have to make sure information is known to employees and all of the company’s stakeholders.”

Featured Articles

Related Articles