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Three New England Organizations Recognized for Reducing Waste

Release Date: 12/14/2011
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Dec. 14, 2011) – Three WasteWise partners in New England were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for outstanding achievements as 2011 WasteWise award winners. Nationally, there were 29 winners, with awards in categories including business, government, and educational sectors.

WasteWise is a free, voluntary partnership program that helps businesses reduce their environmental impact and find cost savings through innovative waste reduction and recycling activities.  The 2011 New England awardees are:

Raytheon Company, Mass. – Raytheon Company is the 2011 WasteWise “Very Large Business Partner of the Year.” When Raytheon became a WasteWise partner in 2002, it only included a few sites in New England. Now, the company boasts WasteWise participation across the country, including 45 facilities in 42 locations. In 2010, Raytheon diverted more than 10,000 tons of materials through reuse, donation, and recycling—preventing more than 35,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent—and saved $2 million through its waste reduction programs. 

Cannon Grange #152 Inc., Conn. – Cannon Grange #152 Inc. is the recipient of the 2011 WasteWise “Nonprofit Organization Partner of the Year” Award. Cannon Grange, a small, nonprofit organization in the town of Wilton, Conn., achieved a 77-percent waste diversion rate in 2010, marking a 5-percent increase from 2009. During business meetings and other events, Cannon Grange ensures that as many materials as possible are recycled or diverted from the waste stream. In 2010, Cannon Grange stopped purchasing polystyrene cups, paper plates and bowls, and plastic cutlery, using china and silverware instead. This switch prevented over 1,500 pounds of waste. The organization also uses washable tablecloths instead of disposable ones.

Genzyme Corporation (Mass.) – Genzyme Corporation has continued to significantly improve its waste reduction efforts and is well deserving of the 2011 WasteWise “Gold Achievement Award for Construction and Demolition Materials Reduction.” As one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme’s objectives for each of its projects is to recycle at least 95 percent of its waste materials. During 2010, the company diverted more than 10,700 tons of waste from landfills, including more than 9,800 tons of construction and demolition materials. These waste reduction efforts resulted in greenhouse gas emission reductions of nearly 3,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Genzyme also saved nearly $153,000 by purchasing construction materials through its “Construction Waste Management Plan.”

More Information: 

- How to become a WasteWise partner ( https://www.epa.gov/wastewise)
- WasteWise Award Winners and their accomplishments: https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/events/2011awardees.htm

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