Distinguished Recycling Partner—The highest honor given for a company’s exemplary environmental stewardship and leadership. The recipient’s efforts must be supported by quantitative and sustainable environmental results.
Frito-Lay, Inc. participates in numerous environmental programs and initiatives. Its Plano headquarters boasts the largest organically maintained facility in the nation. The company participates in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate leaders program which has the company on target to reach its goal of a 14% reduction in green house gases by 2010 from a 2002 baseline. In 2006 Frito-Lay was one of a select few businesses recognized by the EPA for its energy consumption efforts. Recycling is an integral part of Frito-Lay’s administrative operations and production processes. After cardboard is reused several times it is recycled. Each year Frito-Lay recycles approximately 28,000 tons of cardboard. Over the past calendar year, the company diverted over 300 tons of single-stream material and over 50 tons of organic material from the landfill. The company also encourages employees to make environmentally sound decisions at home. Frito-Lay has partnered with Home Depot to reward employees who purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). For every eight bulbs purchased, Frito-Lay provides the employee with two free CFLs. When sensors were added to bathroom sinks and toilets, the company realized a 64% reduction in annual water usage. Frito-Lay’s leadership and commitment in green efforts are broad and are demonstrated in multiple facets of its daily operating decisions. (Pictured are Keith Reynolds, Elivan Glaser and George Guck)
Outstanding Environmental Commitment—Recognizes a company’s passion and commitment in implementing a diversion initiative which goes beyond impacting its immediate organization.
Chip Gray, Operations Manager for the Plano Independent School District (PISD) ensures that PISD’s commitment to the environment can be realized to benefit the 53,000 students serviced and the 7,000 workers employed. PISD recycles a variety of materials—metals, single-stream materials, organic waste and ink and toner cartridges. In addition to recycling, ongoing efforts are made to reduce water consumption by replacing old fixtures with low flow devices, installing a central control system for irrigation needs and rolling out a lighting retrofit program to reduce the district’s electricity demand. With the help of a grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments received last spring, the district was able to purchase and place recycling bins at every PISD school. PISD’s ultimate goal is to have the schools at a 70% waste diversion rate and have all schools participating in organic recycling. With three schools above 50% diversion, thirty-one above 40% and eleven schools at 30% or better, the goal appears more achievable each day. (Pictured is Chip Gray)
Outstanding Recycling Newcomer—Recognizes a company’s effort in implementing a recycling program which has been established for less than one year.
Eric Chen, president of the Asia World Market met with City of Plano and Allied Waste Services representatives months before the Market opened to discuss waste disposal needs. The store opened in January 2007 and Asia World Market, the anchor and focal point for the new 91,834 square foot Central Legacy Plaza began an organic recycling program in February. Since implementing organic recycling through September 2007, Asia World has diverted over 58 tons of organic material from the landfill. Chen apprises his tenants as well as his employees of the economic and environmental benefits of recycling. (Pictured is Eric Chen and Sam Ko)
Outstanding Green Building—Recognizes a building or facility that incorporates significant sustainable features.
As Cawley Wilcox began the development of the 3-story Wilcox Center in 2005, the idea of building it green began to grow. The decision to seek the US Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status resulted in the first LEED certified building built in Plano. Building features include waterless urinals, solar powered faucets and use of 30% renewable energy sources. Kenneth Reese, Chief Green Officer will employ the company’s motto “Think Big Start Small” as he guides Cawley Wilcox in meeting a goal of being carbon neutral by 2010. (Artist rendition)
Outstanding Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycling—Recognizes a company conducting a construction project which diverts construction debris, saves valuable resources, disposal and other operating costs.
Steve Mitchell, President of Mitchell Enterprise, Ltd. began in January 2007 recycling concrete at the North Texas Municipal Water District’s Custer Road transfer station site which is scheduled for completion in January 2008. Working closely with the owner and the City of Plano he wanted to ensure the maximum percentage of demolished materials were recycled. Project goals included the diversion of wood forming materials from new construction operations, recycling of demolished concrete products and steel recycling. As of September 26, 2007, 644 tons of C&D material have been recycled—representing a 90% recycling rate.
Outstanding Organic Recycling—Recognizes a company’s efforts and results in participating in the City’s organic recycling program which primarily collects and reuses food materials in developing Texas Pure compost products.
Texas Instruments (TI)—Spring Creek began organic recycling in August 2005. Texas Instruments’goal of “zero wasted resources” reflects the company’s sustainability commitment. TI - Spring Creek has achieved 76% recycling efficiency year-to-date—only 24% of its total used materials are sent to disposal. This achievement is due in part to its organic recycling partnership with the City of Plano. The success Bruce Willette, Spring Creek Building Services Manager, has had with organic recycling has influenced TI– Dallas sites which also transports organic waste to the City of Plano’s compost site. The more than 1700 employees at the Spring Creek site have diverted over 213,400 tons of organic waste from the landfill since TI began this program in 2005. TI—Spring Creek has proven that its organic waste like its myriad of other materials recycled has become a competitive advantage by reducing overall operating costs. (Pictured are Mary Meacham, Bruce Willette, Tanja Jackson and Ralph Gallardo)
Outstanding Single-Stream Recycling—Recognizes a company’s efforts in a diversion program highlighting the collection of single-stream recyclables and detailing resulting benefits.
Scott Foster, Building Special Projects Manager of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)implemented a single-stream recycling program at its corporate headquarters in January 2006. The program reduced the service of its two 8-yard trash containers from fives times a week to three times and introduced an 8 –yard recycler which was serviced four times a week. This single-stream recycling program provided the NTTA a monthly savings of $231 or over $2774 annually. Each associate received a desk-side recycling tote and recycling bins were placed in public areas throughout the organization for convenience. Eco-Wally was introduced by NTTA Public Relations to assist in internal and public green communications. (Pictured are Scott Foster, Sherry Youngblood, Sandy Hawkins and Johnny Quintero)
Outstanding P.I.S.D. Commitment—Recognizes a school’s comprehensive efforts and results in recycling as well as other sustainable efforts which positively impact the school and its neighborhood.
At Plano Independent School District’s Daffron Elementary School children are taught how to enjoy their environment while they learn how to preserve it. Students high participation in both single-stream and organic recycling results in a current diversion rate of 51%. Kids for Saving Earth (KSE) is a group of 75 third through fifth graders who play a vital role in monitoring the school’s recycling efforts. In 2005 KSE developed an all-organic Discovery Garden which features native Texas plants. Michele Carey-Dave΄, PTA Environmental Chair leader has been the catalyst for many of Daffron’s environmental initiatives. Principal Cindy Guinn and staff fully support all campus environmental programs. (Pictured are Tia΄r Green-Lynch and Michele Carey-Dave΄)