WI Sustainable Business Council
Tom Eggert
Executive Director
sustain@bus.wisc.edu
608 267-2761
ABB Inc.
Kathryn Schwab
kathryn.a.schwab@us.abb.com
262-785-3307
New Berlin Facility among First in Wisconsin to Earn Honor
ABB is one of the first Wisconsin firms to earn Green Professional status under the WI Sustainable Business Council’s Green Masters Program. As a Green Professional, ABB has performed actions in each of nine “sustainability areas”, and has earned more than 100 points.
“It’s very exciting to see ABB being recognized for their commitment to sustainability and the environment,” said Tom Eggert, Executive Director of the WI Sustainable Business Council. “Their focus on sustainability is clearly seen through their efforts to increase the efficiency of their products and their work with their supply chain to encourage adoption of sustainability actions and ideas.”
2010 was a great year for ABB’s Green Team that has been in existence a little over two years now. The team is comprised of sixteen employees ranging from senior management to production floor. Their mission is to “Preserve and protect what matters most by conserving resources through our products, processes, and people.”
In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, 2010; all employees received a reusable mug made from materials that are 100% recyclable. Pricing in the cafeteria was changed as an incentive for employees to use their mugs. For example, employees that use their mug get sixteen ounces for the price of eight. Since distributing the mugs we have seen about a fifty percent reduction in paper cup use.
In May 2010, ABB New Berlin increased the collection and recycling of clear plastic wrap, clear plastic bags, and clear bubble wrap in addition to the plastic drive covers already being recycled. In an 8 month period, ABB recycled over five tons of these materials and collected over six hundred dollars. Recycling is still going strong into 2011 with the addition of pink bubble wrap now being recycled. The Green Team has chosen to donate the funds to Schlitz Audubon Nature Center to continue the legacy of environmental education and stewardship.
In September 2010, ABB held its fourth annual Environmental Health and Safety Fair. Over three hundred employees attended along with thirty four vendors. Each employee who visited the fair received a green, insulated bag and filled it with giveaways from ABB, as well as other vendors. Something new to the fair in 2010 was the Smart Car. Employees took turns sitting inside and snapping pictures of themselves. Planning has already begun for the 2011 EHS Fair.
Our Green Team goals for 2011 include promoting Wisconsin’s Rideshare program, dedicating special parking spots for employees that carpool or drive environmentally friendly vehicles, tour LEED buildings, and re-use packaging materials. ABB would also like to retake the Green Mater’s survey during 2011 with our ultimate goal of earning the “Green Master” designation. “Being part of the Green Masters Program challenges ABB to think proactively and constantly about our environmental stewardship” said Aaron Aleithe, Vice President and General Manager, ABB Low Voltage Drives.
The Green Professional designation is the second highest tier in the Green Masters Program established by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council. Candidates are judged on a comprehensive range of sustainability issues from energy and natural resource use to education outreach and purchasing. 60 Wisconsin businesses have participated in the program where the top twenty percent achieve the highest “Green Master” designation. For more information, or a complete list of Green Masters Program participants, go to: http://www.greenmastersprogram.com.
