With green initiatives expected to continue being a focus for companies in the years to come, how is your company achieving its goals for a better environment?
Today’s post is by Mark Davis; Sr. Vice President of Operations and CTO at SafeSourcing. Mark asks “With green initiatives expected to continue being a focus for companies in the years to come, how is your company achieving its goals for a better environment?”
Over the past few years so many blogs and articles have been written about green initiatives, their definitions and ways to implement them. Today we will be looking at three companies who have recently announced some of the new ideas and ways they are committing themselves to get “greener.”
US Foods – In a recent ProgressiveGrocer Article, US Foods announced the work they are doing in their Albuquerque, N.M. Division. The announcement highlights the 430 kilowatt solar power system they have implemented which will supply almost 25% of the power needs of the distribution center’s power needs. In addition to a cost savings, the solar panels will offset the division’s 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years. This commitment coupled with green landscaping, “green” lighting changes put a focus on US Foods as a leader in their space for their commitment to environmentally friendly focus. Their changes are ones that so many companies will begin to look at for their own companies in the coming years.
Staples Canada – Last month Staples Canada, the leader in office supplies in Canada, released information about the ways they are focusing on initiatives geared toward a focus on protecting the environment. Their focus on recycling technology focused byproducts is attacking the 8 million pounds of electronic waste that is disposed of each year. This focus led to their 2012 Ink cartridge challenge which hoped to collect 5 million ink cartridges for recycling by Earth Day 2014. Their commitment to collecting and recycling items connected to their business is one that many companies are looking to emulate in the next 5 years.
Ahold USA – At the beginning of November the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its top ranked retailers and companies in the area of green power purchases and had Ahold USA as the 8th best retailer and 29th best overall company. Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable resources, such as geothermal, wind and solar. The continued commitment to this type of energy leads to increased revenue and funding that will lead to wider adoption and a larger reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These types of initiatives are great first steps for companies wanting a stronger green policy that may not have the dedicated resources to make sweeping organizational changes right away.
These companies have found ways to begin affecting the way business is done in ways that will positively affect our planet. The results stemming from their commitment are varied but all moving toward a common goal. For assistance on helping you with your “green” strategies in 2013, or for information about how to find greener suppliers, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service Representative.
We look forward to your comments.
