Environmental Stewardship
Success Stories
The Merillat Team uses a variety of tools to constantly drive improvements and make a positive difference to the environment. Lean manufacturing principles and management practices and processes help us to use less of everything across all departments, from less human energy, less manufacturing space, less investment in tools, less product development time, less waste, to using less energy. We apply this in our facilities and in our communities.
Mt. Jackson Lends a Hand to the Shenandoah River
The fact that many of our country's rivers and waterways are threatened by pollution is common news. Unfortunately, for the most part, so is the reality that too little is being said or done about it. However, that didn't prevent Mt. Jackson's Green Team from recruiting volunteers to take part in the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Adopt-A-Stream project. Located about a mile from the Mt. Jackson Plant, the team put the Shenandoah River in its sites and got to work.
Nick Hearne, plant manager, explained that it was a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all involved.
"We arrived, put on our orange vests and prepared to get going," said Hearne. "With permission from the landowners, we cleaned one mile of riverbank starting from a covered bridge in the area – a popular tourist attraction. We found and removed some old tires, a fence post, paper, bottles, several bags of trash and cans. It felt good and made a difference."
Although the Shenandoah River was already a beautiful setting, the team made it better by cleaning up the trash and clutter, all while enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon outdoors.
Hearne vows that while this Adopt-A-Stream project was the facility's first, it won't be the last.
"Mt. Jackson is committed to cleaning the riverbank twice a year," he said. "You can count on it!"
Going Paperless - One Ream of Paper in 1.5 Years!
Four years ago, a member of the Sales Team went paperless.
"I've been with Merillat for 1 1/2 years and have used just over one ream of paper! The secret is 'print to PDF'! I've created a file cabinet on my desk top which contains all documents that most would print and file. All documents can be accessed in four to six clicks, e-mailed or faxed, with perfect clarity." This includes paperwork for 40 Dealer accounts (and histories), 10 + training modules, 1 1/2 years of correspondence, Spec books and Price books. The best part? Two minutes to back up file cabinet to memory stick (twice weekly) and all my files travel with me as needed.
"The thought of printing on paper is now alien to me. I don't have the time to deal with paper documents, and that's not to mention the cost of using paper!"
Denver Branch Earns with Green Initiatives
The Denver Branch was paying $188.00 a month for a vendor to pick up its recyclables. At the time, all that was being recycled was white paper. Denver changed vendors and learned that recycling isn't just about white paper. Denver is now recycling all out-dated brochures, spec books, posters and magazines in a "Glossy" container and all colored sticky notes, folders and pamphlets in a "Colored Paper" container. All aluminum cans have their own separate container as well. The biggest win in this new partnership is the ability to recycle all cardboard the industry produces from the field to the warehouse! Denver has created an area in the warehouse where all cardboard is palletized neatly and ready for pick up.
Denver estimates it will receive money back from its recycling efforts that will be applied back into its cost saving efforts.
- White Paper: $85/ton
- Colored Paper: $45/ton
- Glossy Brochure: $45/ton
- Aluminum Cans: undetermined
- Cardboard: $40/ton (6 pallets 4ft high is 1/2 a ton)
- Cost for pick up of recyclable material: $0
Along with recycling, the Denver Branch is focused on energy efficiency as well. All non essential lighting and heat is no longer in use. Lights are off in areas that have little or no activity, (conference rooms, bathrooms, cubicles not used). Computers are turned off if being left for an extended period of time and warehouse personnel are wearing warmer clothes to keep heat costs at a minimum.
Orlando Branch Adds MPG Green Program
The Orlando MPG Green program includes two distinct parts, Miles per Gallon (MPG) and Miles per Dollar (MPD). Both parts will offer a $100 gift card to the two drivers (One Delivery Truck Driver, One Service Van Driver) that have the best overall fuel economy (MPG) per month, and the overall lowest price per Gallon (MPD) per month. The branch has seen an overall savings of 8% over past annual fuel invoices as well as emitting less Green House Gasses as a result of rewarding better driving practices.