Sustainability Pays - Even in an Economic Downturn

For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 04, 2010

Businesses Find Sustainability Pays, Even in an Economic Downturn

For many businesses, 2009 was a tough year, but the Washington County Recycle at Work program was able to recognize twelve businesses that re-examined their operations in these tough times to learn that going green benefits the environment and saves money through reduced purchasing and disposal costs. Washington County is pleased to recognize the qualifying 2009 Washington County Recycle at Work Business award recipients:

• American Lung Association
• City of Cornelius
• City of Tigard
• IKON Office Solutions
• Insomnia Coffee
• Oregon Scientific
• Pacific Landscape Management
• Pacific Natural Foods
• SOLV
• Tualatin Valley Water District
• WHPacific
• Woodfold Manufacturing

Their innovative measures to reduce carbon footprints have proven that little efforts can make a big impact. Here is a snapshot of just a few ways these local businesses are making a difference in your community.

Tualatin Valley Water District, Woodfold Manufacturing, Oregon Scientific, and Pacific Natural Foods recycle materials not accepted in typical recycling programs such as shoes, electronics, shipping containers and plastics.

Pacific Landscape Management, the cities of Cornelius and Tigard demonstrate an outstanding commitment to resource conservation by using hybrid vehicles and solar power systems, implementing water saving technologies, and installing bio-swales that help with storm water management.

WHPacific, American Lung Association, IKON Office Solutions, SOLV, and Insomnia Coffee show how small changes to their purchasing policies can have a positive impact. Their efforts include purchasing fair-trade products and post-consumer recycled-content materials, as well as requiring caterers to offer durable settings and delivery containers in order to reduce waste.

Businesses in Washington County have shown it is possible to integrate sustainability into their operations. Motivating factors include employee pride for their efforts, customers' preference to work with businesses that make sustainability a priority, and sometimes, it is a great choice for their bottom line. Whether savings result from bulk purchasing, reduced disposal costs, recycling revenue streams or operational changes, they started with asking themselves how they could do things better.

Since 2008, the Washington County Recycle at Work Program has recognized twenty organizations for their efforts in waste prevention, sustainable purchasing, recycling, and water and energy conservation. Not sure where to start? Learn how the Washington County Recycle at Work Program can help your business; each year over 400 businesses receive free recycling and waste reduction technical assistance.

Visit RecycleWise.org or call 503.846.8609.

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