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TextBusiness Recycling Commendation Recipients
Winners of the Annual Business Recycling Commendation are listed below. See our awards overview page for information about deadlines, judging criteria, etc.
2011 Winners
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. and Lemur Properties: DuPont is a new recipient of the Recycling Commendation this year. Their space includes data centers, warehouse use, and offices, in which they recycle paper, cardboard, fluorescent lamps, and batteries. In addition to a core operational staff, they have many tenants and customers who they encourage to recycle as much as possible. In 2010, they recycled more than 23 tons of material, the vast majority of which was paper and cardboard. DuPont Fabros and Lemur Properties are committed to maximizing not only the materials that they recycle through their internal operations but also the recycling opportunities that they offer their customers, and look forward to improving and expanding in the future.
ExxonMobil: At Earth Day 2010, ExxonMobil began Phase 3 of their corporate environmental initiative, called “Protect Tomorrow Today.” Phase 1 focused on recycling, and Phase 2 focused on reducing waste and consumption. Phase 3 focused on reuse, with three main points: 1) using reusable cups instead of Styrofoam, 2) using multi-use envelopes and 3) reusing vinyl binders. Employees were also encouraged to “commit to using one other office product”—i.e., reusing at least once items that are often trashed, such as shipping boxes and file folders. Communications for Phase 3 focused on reporting metrics for reducing the waste stream and providing information on how employees can positively affect the environment. The Earth Day kick-off event included distribution of reusable cups for each employee and exciting large-scale displays about reuse. The cups save an estimated 59,000 pieces of Styrofoam from being used and disposed of. In 2010, the recycling program achieved a rate of more than 45 percent. ExxonMobil employees recycled cardboard, paper, cans, bottles, toner, and cell phones. In addition to the savings observed from 2008 to 2009, ExxonMobil reduced their energy consumption by another 20 percent. Phase 4, due to launch on Earth Day 2011, will focus on re-energizing the Three R’s of reduce; reuse, and recycle, and the Fairfax campus will open a carpooling club.
Freddie Mac Corporation: Each year, Freddie Mac adds features and materials to their recycling and waste reduction program. In 2010, they had their first Earth Day Fair event, and began separating concrete and asphalt for recycling. They also began having “clean up days” where employees can gather unwanted supplies and equipment from their work areas and swap with other employees in order to promote reuse. Employees receive email notices and updates on the intranet site, and new hires have information about recycling in their intake materials. Once again in 2010, Freddie Mac held two events where employees could bring their electronics and cell phones to be recycled; over 39 tons of material was collected. In 2010, Freddie Mac recycled nearly 1400 tons of material, including 585 tons of paper and 301 tons of toner cartridges.
Jones Lang LaSalle and MITRE: MITRE recycles paper, toner cartridges, aluminum cans, batteries, lighting tubes and bulbs, polystyrene packing material, cardboard, cell phones, plastic and glass. In addition, they recycle and reuse furniture, computers, and carpet through donation programs. MITRE keeps employees and contractors informed about how to recycle via their intranet site. They also provide a tool for employees to offer feedback. Information is also flashed on a series of screens around the campus, and recycling is discussed at all safety meetings. Jones Lang LaSalle provides property management services and ensures that MITRE is empowered to divert and recycle as much waste as possible. To reduce the use of bottled water, reverse osmosis water purifying machines are installed on each floor. In 2010, MITRE diverted 199 tons of material from the waste stream including 107 tons of paper, 38 tons of carpet and almost 200 pounds of Styrofoam.
Navy Federal Credit Union: Much of Navy Federal's waste reduction and recycling program revolves around transaction modernization and information security. In 2010, they completed the conversion to check imaging (as opposed to processing and transporting paper checks). This immediately reduced paper consumption by 89 tons from 2009 to 2010. Secondly, they have instructed employees to shred all paper except for newspapers or magazines and cardboard. This not only ensures that information is secure but also that paper is recycled by the shredding vendor. Navy Federal recycles cardboard and newspapers with compactors, and also recycles pallets and electronic equipment. The 2010 total from these efforts was 743 tons. The credit union encourages its customers to take advantage of electronic forms and electronic statements in order to reduce paper consumption. They also hosted an electronics recycling event for the community which collected 9.4 tons of material. As part of their relationship with the community, they donated supplies, furniture, equipment, and cell phones to: Thoreau Middle School; The Loading Dock, a material reuse facility; and Secure The Call, a program that redistributes cell phones to the elderly and abused women.
Noblis: The recycling program at Noblis is now 15 years old and expanding and improving all the time. In 2010, they recycled 81 tons, or a little over 48 percent of their waste stream. They recycle mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic beverage containers, glass food and beverage containers, toner cartridges, wood pallets, yard waste, lighting, electronics, cell phones, and batteries. To communicate with employees, there is a dedicated web page, and staff across the company work to make sure the recycling system stays in tip-top shape. There are also emails, signage, and morale events. For example, they started an effort called “Landfill Free,” which kicked off with an event that provided employees with new recycling bins and healthy natural snacks. To further engage employees, Noblis hosted four clean-up days utilizing their shredding and electronic recycling vendors. Each year, Noblis plants a tree on their property on Earth Day.
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC): This company operates a comprehensive recycling program that includes: paper, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles, metal and aluminum cans, fluorescent lamps, obsolete electronics, batteries, construction debris -- even food waste. All of their employees are encouraged to reduce waste and to recycle, and contractors are trained to participate through an environmental, health and safety program. SAIC embraces the “green team” concept in a couple of ways. The Army of Green is made up of volunteers who encourage others to manage waste properly. The Sustainability Working Group is made of senior members from a variety business groups across the company. In 2010, SAIC recycled more than 443 tons of materials, including over 370 tons of paper and nearly 19 tons of electronics. They also composted more than 41 tons of organic material, an increase of 65 percent.
Previous Recipients
2010 Winners: America’s Capital Partners, Booz Allen Hamilton-Corporate Headquarters and Cassidy Turley and Gates Hudson & Associates (property managers), Booz Allen Hamilton-One Dulles Facility, ExxonMobil, Freddie Mac Corporation, Gannett Offset-Springfield, Greenspring Village, MITRE, Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association (Mount Vernon Estate), Noblis, Raytheon Company, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
2009 Winners: Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc., ExxonMobil, Freddie Mac Corporation, MITRE, Montessori School of Northern Virginia, Navy Federal Credit Union, Noblis, Inc., Pathway Homes, Inc., PC Recycler, Inc., Raytheon Company, Reston Trash, Science Applications International Corporation.
2008 Winners: Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc., Freddie Mac Corporation, MITRE Corporation, Noblis, Inc., Peterson Management, LLC, Raytheon Company, Reico Kitchen and Baths, Science Applications International Corporation, Inc.
2007 Winners: MITRE Corporation, Noblis, Raytheon, Science Applications International Corporation.
2006 Winners: Congressional Schools of Virginia, Greenspring Village, Inova Fairfax Hospital, MITRE Corporation, Mitretek, Raytheon, Science Applications International Corporation, Tyson’s Corner International, Washington Gas.
2005 Winners: Fort Belvoir, Mitretek, The Peterson Group, Raytheon.
2004 Winners: Raytheon, Greenspring Village and Science Applications International Corporation.
2003 Winners: ICF, National Wildlife Federation, Raytheon and Tyson's Corner Center.
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