Utah Company Named Business Recycler Of The Year
The Recycling Coalition of Utah recently named ARUP Laboratories as the Utah Business Recycler of the Year. They were recognized by the coalition for their achievements in recycling, sustainability and efforts in continued stewardship of the earth.
ARUP Laboratories is a national medical reference lab that performs highly complex medical tests for hospitals and labs in all 50 states. They are the sole blood provider to
The company started their recycling program five years ago by identifying reasonable and attainable goals. Despite the commitment of time and money, they continue to strive to improve the environment by being a responsible corporate citizen. To achieve that goal, they divide their mission into three categories: Recycling, Reusing, and Reducing.
Recycling Efforts
ARUP now actively recycles: paper (regular, shredded protected, and stored documents), cardboard, plastics, metal, fluorescent lamps, brown glass, batteries, computers, monitors, printers and fax machines, construction materials, flammable waste solvents and xylene.
Reducing Efforts
To reduce pollution ARUP is currently looking for “Green Seal” environmentally friendly chemicals for all cleaning needs. They are also are installing non-wax flooring to reduce the amount of chemicals going down the drain and into our water system.
To reduce water consumption, ARUP implements xeriscaping to save water in landscaped areas. They are in the process of transforming about 20,000 square feet per year of water-wasting landscaping to water-wise xeriscaping.
Reusing Efforts
Through the use of carpet and ceiling tiles, ARUP can salvage and re-install the building materials in new construction and renovation of ARUP facilities.
They have also standardized the sizes of cubicles to increase reusability. All furniture is made from 40% to 60% recycled materials.
Recycling Results
– Expired documents – 67,500 lbs. per year
– Shredded paper – 219,000 lbs. per year
– Electronic waste – 24,000 lbs. per year
– Flammable waste – 50,000 lbs. per year
– Xylene in Histology lab – 5 gallons per day
– Recycling bins – save over $15,000 per year in hauling costs
Reducing Results
– 80% of our cleaning chemicals are “Green Seal”
– Save over 100 gallons per year of wax and stripper chemicals
– Will reduce by 70% the landscape watering water when xeriscaping is completed in 3 years
– Energy savings with motion sensors, automatic temperature setbacks, variable speed motors, and two stage air conditioners
– Over 500 employees use some form of mass transit at least once each week
Reusing Results:
– 20,000 square feet of carpet has been reused
– 33,000 square feet of “renewed / reused” carpet that has 35% recycled content
– Almost 100% reusable office cubicles and laboratory furniture
– Office furniture is 40-60% recycled material
For more information about recycling or to nominate a business for the award visit www.utahrecycles.org
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