Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/668965
1 0 | BULLDOG | 2 0 1 6 V 1 Corporate leadership Management buy-in toward a sustainability philosophy is crucial, says Grace Rink, presi- dent and CEO of Quercus Consultants, an environmental-consulting firm. Andrew Lehrer, vice president of consult- ing-engineering firm ESD Global, says demon- strating a commitment to sustainability does not necessarily require tremendous changes. In the office, it can be as simple as putting a recy- cling receptacle next to the trash can in the employee break room or talking to employees about turning off computers when they leave for the day and turning off lights when they leave a room. Ron Percora, chief marketing officer for Waste Pro, says the company has taken several con- crete steps and made them known. "We walk the talk by using alternative fuels in our equip- ment, powering our recycling plants with solar energy and energizing our employees to volun- teer for environmental projects," he says. Work environment Consider installing bike racks and lockers to motivate employees to cycle to work. You can offer premium parking for compact/ hybrid cars or carpoolers and set out clearly designated recycling bins. Even small green spaces can be landscaped for water and soil conservation. If you offer truck washing at your facility, create a collection system for capturing water that comes off vehicles. This is an especially good idea in areas of the country where ice, snow or remnants of roadway de-icing chemicals might be on trucks. Rainwater collected in cisterns also can be used to wash vehicles. Thompson suggests using a water reclamation system. "That way you are using the same water over as many times as you possibly can," he says. It's one thing for management to embrace green philosophy, but for your policies to be effective, your entire organi- zation has to be involved. "In addition to strong corporate leadership, I suggest iden- tifying employee champions for your efforts," Rink says. "And those should be natural champions — people from each division who want to be champions. You do this so sustainability is a shared value across the enterprise. It is not just 'oh the environmental, health and safety people take care of that.'" She says champions should meet on a regular basis to share best practices. You also need to invest in tangible exam- ples of eco-friendly efforts and encourage desired behaviors through rewards and rec- ognition. Here are some ways to do that: COVER STORY Engaging employees