Pearson Turns Recycling into Gold
The Rancho Cordova office of Pearson School Systems went through a green transformation in 2009. “Change is not easy,” said Facility Manager Trena Ellis, CSM. “But it was the right thing to do for the triple bottom line.” Ellis is referring to the impact on planet, people and profits.
How did the 47,000-square-foot software information management system office with 220 employees go about pursuing its goal of reducing waste by 20 percent?
In 2008, the global publishing company decided to create green teams at each facility to manage recycling efforts. Ellis, who was in the process of earning her Green Business Operations certificate at Sacramento State, took on the project with vigor. She formed a Green Guardians team that drew members from all departments to brainstorm and implement practical solutions.
“We were limited in what we could do because we were in a leased space,” Ellis said. She did, however, have the ability to influence her suppliers and she reached out to them as partners.
“We started looking at the complete life cycle of everything that came in and out of the building, starting with the kitchen,” Ellis said.
The company was already recycling paper, toner, batteries and electronics, but didn’t really consider where the materials went once they left the building or how to eliminate the need to have them hauled away.
Ellis worked with her suppliers to trade in nine jug water coolers for filtered hot and cold water dispensers. This eliminated diesel delivery trucks, liability connected to changing out jugs and saved the company $10,000 a year.
It was not painless however. Because the dispensers had to be located near plumbing, the locations were changed and some engineers complained about having to walk farther to fill up. “They eventually adjusted,” Ellis said. That is why she suggests making changes slowly over time.
Another change was to the dispensing of the coffee that fueled the engineers. The office went through 41,000 plastic and aluminum packets of flavored coffee in a year – packets that were not biodegradable or recyclable. Ellis replaced the packets with machines that brewed single-cups of fresh-ground Peets coffee, leaving only 1,113 lbs a year of coffee grounds and filters that employees gladly take home to compost and fertilize their gardens.
Next, Ellis targeted the 71,000 disposable cups tossed out each year. She held a Bring-Your-Own-Cup event and gave an award out for the most creative coffee mug. Then she told everyone that cup would be their drink holder for the foreseeable future and that the Styrofoam and paper cups would no longer be available at the soda dispensers.
The company saved $6,000 a year by not buying disposable cups, money that went into purchasing green resources. Proceeds from the glass, plastic and aluminum recycling efforts were donated to the company’s chosen cause, Learning Express, which works to keep in school children experiencing homelessness. Additionally, an ewaste recycling day raised $130 for backpacks for homeless high school students.
The company holds an annual event on Bring Your Child to Work Day that includes storytelling and art projects. In 2009, the event focused on green with a reading of Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” and breaking down a computer for a recycled parts art project.
“Communication is the key to a successful transition,” Ellis concluded. Signs all over the office with the Pearson is Green logos explain the benefits of recycling. Deskside paper recycling bins and colorful aluminum and glass recycling receptacles placed around the office make recycling convenient.
If that is not enough, members of the Green Guardians act as Ellis’ eyes and ears, tipping her off to people who are not recycling for censure and awarding canvas tote bags to those who go above and beyond.
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If any ONE person can get the job done, it’s Trena Ellis! She is not only efficient and determined, but very smart and patient.
Good job Trena!!
I have known Trena Ellis for 40 years . When she takes on a project , she gives it 100%, so reading what she has accomplished on this “Green Project comes as no surprise to me. In fact I will share a childhood story about her. Next time you see her ask her what silly nickname we gave years ago. That name was “Trena Green”. Don’t let her tell you it was “Shorty” !! Great Job Trena ‘ I”m so proud.
Trena makes Pearson a Great Place To Work!!!!
Trena Ellis takes her Job very serious and she is always looking for ways to be more effective at her job. She is always trying to become better at any cost, she has great focus and a great work ethic. Anything you put in her hands leaves her hands better than how it went in. There is nothing she can’t do. She is awsome and I’m not saying this just because she is my wife I saw all this before I became your husband. I am very happy to be her husband. I love you Trena you make me very proud. Darwin