washington business
Leading Environmental Practices
Recognizes a business that has placed a priority on environmental improvement , education or outreach to its business sector and / or community .
the company : Founded in 1967 , this family-owned manufacturer of plant-derived cleaning products takes cleaning products as seriously as a clean environment . Last year , the company celebrated its 50-year anniversary . On the company ’ s half-century milestone , Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks , president and CEO of Earth Friendly Products , said , “ Since the beginning , our mission has been to make plant-powered cleaners that are safer for people , pets and the planet , and to do that for 50 years while supporting our employees and our communities is very rewarding .”
sustainability in action : The company has made green manufacturing a priority since
1967 . In 2010 , Earth Friendly Products switched to 100 percent renewable energy and achieved carbon neutrality in each of its five locations . As a result , the company avoids emissions of 54 million pounds of carbon dioxide each year . The company has also achieved water neutrality in its facilities . Additionally , strict waste management and recycling programs have cut their overall waste by 95 percent .
the human element : Earth Friendly Products encourages a more sustainable lifestyle for its employees , providing green benefits such as a $ 2,000 incentive to buy an eco-friendly car , a $ 1,000 relocation incentive to move closer ( to within 10 miles ) of the facility , and a $ 2,000 incentive to install solar panels on employees ’ family homes .
remarks : “ For 50 years , our company has been at the forefront of green manufacturing . It was just a thought that our waterways should be clean , that moms cleaning their childrens ’ clothing and homes deserve to have effective , yet healthy , cleaning products that lead to the founding of the incredible company we have today . But , behind all these wonderful environmental practices , our company stands for its people . We have proven that being an environmentally friendly company and one that puts its employees first is also a profitable company .” — vivian panou , director of special events and programs , earth friendly products
leading environmental practices award finalists
honeywell international , inc ., redmond
The Honeywell International Redmond site is an engineering and manufacturing facility that produces various electronic products for use in aerospace , military and commercial applications . As part of its community partnership , the company has implemented innovative processes and solutions to minimize its environmental footprint .
Over the past two years , Honeywell has implemented procedures that have reduced hazardous waste by 57 percent and has diverted 435,000 pounds of nonhazardous materials from landfills through recycling and composting . The company also invested $ 200,000 in energy efficiency projects that generated annual energy savings of 445,000 kilowatt hours , the equivalent of 350,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions . And , the company ’ s partnership with the Greater Redmond Transportation Management Authority has encouraged employees to use alternative transport options , which has reduced carbon emissions by roughly 225,000 pounds , or the equivalent of 11,500 gallons of gasoline . nucor steel seattle , inc .
Nucor Steel Seattle , Inc ., is the only steel manufacturer in Washington . It is also the state ’ s largest recycler , repurposing approximately 810,000 tons of scrap steel in 2014 . The company receives scrap steel from demolished structures in the region , like the Highway 99 Viaduct , and recasts it for new projects , such as Seattle ’ s tunnel project , the University of Washington ’ s Husky Stadium , and many of the buildings dotting the region ’ s skyline .
The company is a world-wide leader in environmental indicators , from waste reduction to water recycling . The company has reduced its energy input by 15 percent in the last 10 years through energy-efficient technologies . Additionally , Nucor is one of the nation ’ s greenest steel manufacturers , reporting carbon emissions per ton of steel produced at just 26 percent of the U . S . steel industry emissions average in 2014 .
32 association of washington business