State Honors California Green Businesses:
Recognition for businesses that make extraordinary efforts to reduce waste 

SACRAMENTO–-More than 1,200 businesses are part of California's recycling revolution, earning special recognition from the California Integrated Waste Management Board through its 2008 Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP).

The honorees have diverted over 1 million tons of materials from landfills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-half million tons of CO2 through recycling. As an added bonus, their voluntary waste reduction efforts have saved millions in operating costs to these businesses.

"These businesses are aggressively tackling waste reduction through innovative business practices," said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. "Having exceeded our 50 percent waste diversion mandate, California is looking for resourceful approaches to divert the remaining materials going to landfills. Businesses like these, who create opportunities for waste diversion, will be at the forefront of a more sustainable California."

California's business sector generates about half of the state's solid waste. Businesses can have a significant impact on their communities' waste reduction by taking proactive steps to reduce the amount of trash they throw away. Creativity and planning were key to their successful waste reduction efforts.

WRAP winners found reuses for a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, plastic, and other items specific to their industries. Some found innovative and even lucrative ways to reuse scrap pieces of their product that had formerly been sent to landfills.

The businesses purchased office supplies and other products made from recycled-content materials, and set aside landscape trimmings for composting. They also had programs to educate their employees. These efforts all combine to keep valuable resources and renewable materials out of landfills.

In addition to savings from reuse of materials, many businesses see dramatic reductions in waste disposal costs.

All award winners receive a certificate of recognition from the Chair and members of the California Integrated Waste Management Board, as well as the right to use the WRAP Award winner logo for promotional advertising and for publicizing their accomplishments.

Applicants are honored based on a set of criteria applied to each application. Practices evaluated include waste prevention, materials reuse, recycling, recycled-product procurement, and employee education.

A complete list of winners is listed below. Winners are listed online at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/ along with examples of the methods being used by award-winning businesses to divert waste.

California's recycling industry now accounts for more than 85,000 jobs. It generates $4 billion yearly in salaries and wages, and produces $10 billion worth of goods and services annually. Recycling has become a viable, mainstream industry that is equivalent to the size of the motion picture industry in California.

WRAP Award winners

Northern California | Central California | Southern California

Northern California

Central California

Southern California

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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