Boeing recycling practices nets $60 million
At The Boeing Co., being green isn't just good for the environment -- it's good for business.
The aerospace company said it made more than $60 million last year as part of its massive recycling efforts, which included selling scrap metal and hawking used drill bits, safety glasses, wood containers and other excess goods at its six surplus stores in three states.
"It's a sound business practice," said Bob Jorgensen, a Boeing spokesman. "When we look at Earth Day, we don't jump up and down and say, 'Let's get a campaign.' Every day is Earth Day at Boeing. We do this for two reasons: It's the smart thing to do from a business perspective, and it's the right thing to do to be a good neighbor."
Several other Puget Sound-area businesses echoed Jorgensen's comments, saying that although Earth Day is Sunday, it's important to have a green footprint all year. They say such practices help retain and recruit high-level employees who are environmentally conscious, and they say it helps their corporate images.
Kyle Cahill, manager of corporate partnerships for New York-based Environmental Defense, said large and small companies are realizing that being green saves them money.
"All companies want to run more efficiently. Pollution is waste, and waste is costly," Cahill said.
Cahill said companies looking to adopt environmentally friendly practices could install energy-efficient lighting or use post-consumer waste recycled paper. He also said companies should use printers and copy machines that print on both sides and lease or buy vehicles that don't guzzle gas.
"Even if you get three to four miles more to the gallon ... that can save you a lot of gas money. And it can reduce a lot of emissions," Cahill said.
Cahill said Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. continually has been one of the leaders in protecting the environment, and he singled out the company for being one of the first, starting in 1996, to use corrugated paper sleeves instead of double cupping hot beverages.
"Today it sounds like a minor step," Cahill said. "But then they have continued to look at new ways to construct cups and use recycled content."
Continue reading this article from the Seattle P-I:
Boeing recycling practices nets $60 million
