Amdahl Corporation Recycling Efforts Among Best in State Last Year

SUNNYVALE—The California Integrated Waste Management Board today presented an inaugural Waste Reduction Award Program "WRAP of the Year" award to Amdahl Corporation, recognizing the company as one of the top 10 waste reduction winners in California in 1996. More than 300 businesses in the state won WRAP certificates from the Waste Board this past year, but Amdahl, a leading computing company, and nine others led all commercial efforts last year to preserve landfill space by reducing and recycling waste.

"California businesses are joining the recycling bandwagon because it makes good economic sense and helps the environment," said Waste Board Chairman Daniel G. Pennington, in presenting the award to company officials today. "Commerce is a key player in California's efforts to cut the amount of waste thrown away in half by the year 2000 and I'm pleased to have this chance to recognize Amdahl's outstanding source reduction efforts."

Amdahl has recycled its waste wood and cardboard since 1993 and other materials long before that. In 1995, the company recycled its scrap plastic and styrofoam packaging fill as well. Combined with existing recycling efforts, Amdahl's new programs already exceed the state goal of sending 50 percent less trash to landfills in the year 2000.

The company's formal recycling and reclamation program began over 11 years ago with office paper, soda cans and bottles, quickly expanding to include nearly all waste products that could be reclaimed. Such efforts have a substantial impact on communities' waste management achievements, saving landfill space, creating markets for recycled-content products, and reducing disposal costs. Amdahl's "Quest Program" encourages its employees to submit money-saving ideas with prize and financial incentives.

The Sunnyvale company designs and markets mainframe commercial computer hardware and software systems to telecommunications, banking, and similar businesses worldwide. Last year, Amdahl posted nationwide and international sales figures in excess of $1 billion. Amdahl earns from $250,000 to $500,000 net yearly income from the sale of recycled materials.

Since its inception in 1993, the WRAP program has recognized more than 1,000 California businesses whose efforts have substantially contributed to reducing waste in the State. Besides generating and having to handle less excess materials, many companies find they can cut waste disposal costs and boost profit margins through successful recycling and waste prevention programs.

The Waste Board's WRAP certificates can be displayed and used by businesses to publicly advertise their recycling activities and conservation ethics, something more and more conscientious shoppers appreciate. California's business sector is estimated to generate more than half of the state's waste stream.

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