Boeing

The Boeing Company today officially launched a new, integrated approach to build on the success of its long-running employee recycling program. The Boeing Recycles! program was unveiled at an employee Earth Day fair at the company's Seattle headquarters. The fair was attended by King County Executive Ron Sims, who presented Boeing with awards for its waste prevention and recycling programs.

The Boeing Recycles! Campaign will link together individual recycling programs for nearly 240,000 employees in Boeing facilities in 27 states. The company-wide program creates a consistent and uniform way of promoting recycling and waste reduction to all Boeing employees.

The Boeing employee recycling program, in operation since 1973, was one of the nation's first employee paper recycling programs. Currently, Boeing recycles more than 100 different commodities, from paper, and aluminum to cotton swabs. In 1997, Boeing recycled 60 percent of its solid waste in the Puget Sound area (based upon weight).

Sims attended the Earth Day fair to present the King County's Green Works Award to each of the five Boeing sites located in King County. In presenting the awards, Sims noted that the participation of businesses is critical as we seek to conserve resources and protect the environment for future generations.

"I commend Boeing for taking the lead to conserve resources by engaging in a wide range of conservation practices, including its outstanding recycling and waste prevention programs," Sims said.

"The Green Works awards are well deserved recognition for Boeing's achievements in this area."

The King County Green Works Program helps businesses to: reduce the amount of waste they produce, set up recycling programs, educate their employees, and locate products made with recycled materials. Green Works also offers recognition and publicity to businesses that meet specific goals to recycle, prevent waste, and use recycled products.

Three of Boeing's King County sites were recognized as Distinguished Green Works members because they recycle at least 60 percent of their solid waste, practice six or more waste prevention strategies, purchase at least six recycled products, and conduct educational activities to promote waste reduction to employees, vendors, and the community. Two of the Boeing sites were recognized as Green Works members for recycling at least 40 percent of their solid waste, practicing three waste prevention strategies, and purchasing at least three recycled products.