by Shane Henson — April 4, 2012—The U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center (IWAC), created to provide industry knowledge and contracting expertise for furniture and furnishings products and services, recently saluted five businesses for their sustainability efforts and accomplishments during the annual Evergreen Awards.
According to the GSA, the awards and Evergreen Award Program through which they are given were developed to recognize efforts in recycling, affirmative procurement and waste reduction that can set an example for other IWAC business partners to follow. Forty businesses were considered for the Evergreen Award. The award was presented to one business in each of the following categories: furniture, furnishings and floor coverings, technologies and electronics, sports and recreation and small business. Facilities managers looking to do businesses with companies with a demonstrated commitment toward sustainability may consider using the products or services of these Evergreen Award winners.
Jasper Group, a manufacturer of commercial furniture located in Jasper, Indiana, received the Evergreen Award in the furniture category. The company has eliminated more than 417 metric tons of CO2 emissions through recycling efforts. They also eliminated more than 23 tons of material through reuse by a local organization that supports the handicapped and by lighting retrofits that increase safety, productivity, quality, light output and motivation. This lighting provides a 96,000 plus kWh reduction as well as the elimination of over 141 metric tons of CO2 emissions.
Bentley Prince Street, based in Los Angeles and a subsidiary of Interface Inc., received the Evergreen Award in the furnishings and floor coverings category. This provider of floor coverings manufactures and markets award-winning broadloom and carpet tile products for commercial interiors around the world. Bentley Prince Street is committed to sustainable commerce and innovations to integrate style and function with environmental practices through its Mission Zero goal of eliminating any negative impact the company has on the environment by the year 2020.
Lexmark International Inc. received the Evergreen Award in the technologies and electronics category. The company is a global provider of printing and imaging products, software, solutions and services headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Lexmark continues to earn industry praise in recognition of its deep commitment and substantial efforts to be a responsible neighbor and employer, as well as a leader in environmental stewardship. The company also works closely with its customers in meeting their sustainability objectives, striving to help them “Print Less and Save More” by reducing wasteful, unnecessary printing.
Playworld Systems Inc., a manufacturer of imaginative playground and fitness equipment and site amenities based in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, received the Evergreen Award in the sports and recreation category. The company has taken a broad approach to sustainability by auditing and carefully selecting environmentally friendly materials to be used in its products and creating a green operation. In 2011, Playworld Systems’ products received the respected Cradle to Cradle Basic certification for material content safety, social responsibility and water stewardship. Playworld Systems recycles 96 percent of its waste and has installed energy efficient office and plant lighting, which saves 170,000 kwh per year.
Metalworks Inc., a family-held furniture manufacturing company in Ludington, Michigan, received the Evergreen Award in small business. This new category was created this year to recognize a small business from any of the four main categories that demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment. In 2010, the company’s dedication to recycling was estimated to have saved the following resources: 1,322 trees, 544,215 gallons of water, 257 cubic yards of landfill, 4,665 pounds of air pollution effluents out of the air and 6,142 gallons of oil. Over the past years, the company has made several process improvements in their paint department, which have reportedly resulted in a 50 percent reduction in water usage. Metalworks has reduced water consumption from 24 million gallons per year to 12 million gallons. Their goal is to further reduce consumption within the upcoming years to 7 million gallons per year, a 70 percent reduction.
