Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP)

2004 WRAP of the Year

The Waste Reduction Awards Program, WRAP, recognizes California businesses that have made outstanding efforts to reduce nonhazardous waste and send less garbage to our landfills. "WRAP of the Year" recognizes ten of the best examples of these efforts, which serve as waste management models to the rest of their industry.

The 2004 WRAP of the Year winners are:

Other WRAP of the Year Winners: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996

American Honda Motor Inc. Co.—Torrance

American Honda Motor Inc. Co. is the United States sales, marketing, and distribution arm for Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, marine engines, and power equipment. American Honda's comprehensive waste reduction/recycling program includes the regular donation of surplus and used equipment to nonprofit organizations. American Honda has also been successful with a recycling program that collects all recyclable office wastepaper from each associate's desk throughout the organization each day.

In 2003, through the dedicated efforts of its associates and the company's long-standing commitment to the environment, American Honda recycled 976 tons of paper and cardboard, 385 tons of wood pallets, 468 tons of metal, and 11 tons of aluminum cans, plastic and glass at its headquarters facility in Torrance, California. Won WRAP awards in 1999-2004 (6 years).
Web site: www.honda.com

Eco-Pop Designs—Moss Beach

Eco-Pop Designs uses art, ecology and invention to create environmentally friendly products that promote recycling. Eco-Pop Designs manufactures all metal recycling containers using the highest amount of recycled and reused materials available. Eco-Pop Designs actively promotes reuse, recycling and waste reduction and has been deeply committed to the environment for more than 10 years. Eco-Pop Designs was recently awarded "Most Appealing" at the recent 2003 CIWMB Recycled Products Trade Show, other previous CIWMB awards include "Greenest to the Bone" 2000 and "Most Creative" 2001. Won WRAP awards in 1994-2004 (9 years).
Web site: www.ecopopdesigns.com

Friedrich-Houston Enterprises—Lomita

Friedrich-Houston Enterprises is a husband/wife contracting team that specializes in commercial and residential maintenance and remodeling. The company has diverted over five tons of waste through recycling efforts this past year. Wood is turned into mulch and soil amendments, and steel is recycled into cars and other consumer products. Brass, cooper, paper, cardboard and plastics are all source separated and delivered to the proper recycling facility.

Usable appliances are donated to charitable organizations and many plumbing and electrical fixtures find their way to the local adult school as teaching aids. As a home based business, Friedrich-Houston Enterprises puts out a small trash can every two weeks, everything else is recycled! Won WRAP awards in 1994-2004 (11 years).

Frito-Lay Modesto Facility

Frito-Lay is one of the largest snack food producers in the United States. The Frito-Lay Modesto facility manufactures and distributes chips. Whenever possible, Frito-Lay donates surplus chips to food banks and non-profit organizations. In addition, the Modesto facility sells all of its product waste to farmers for animal feed.

In 2003, Frito-Lay Modesto continued its momentum towards reducing waste destined to be land filled by over 26 million pounds. They were #1 in the company by revamping their starch recovery system and maintaining efficiency of 112 percent and saved more than $100,000 by selling recyclable materials such as cardboard, plastic, cans, and scrap metals. Won WRAP awards in 1998-2004 (7 years).
Web site: www.fritolay.com

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.—Palmdale

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.

Numerous organizations within the company, including Environmental Resources, Conservation Sales, Custodial Services, Document Control, Transportation, Production, Site Representatives, and Procurement, work together to promote the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste. The facility minimizes the waste disposed of through recycling, donations, reuse, and employee sales.

Waste reduction programs at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Palmdale are always improving and developing. In the last year, they have reduced landfill-destined waste by 1,397.54 tons and saved more than $350,000 in disposal costs. Won WRAP awards in 2003 and 2004 (2 years).
Web site: www.lockheedmartin.com

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens—Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a 113-acre public facility dedicated to supporting programs that preserve biodiversity and conserve natural habitat. The Zoo's signature programs are its compost and its recycling mascot, Rascal the Recycling Raccoon. Rascal the Recycling Raccoon is the star of a mobile recycling show, which has visited over 3,000 school children throughout Los Angeles. Rascal has also been featured in parades and his image is emblazoned on the Zoo's natural gas-powered Recyclemobile.

Rascal proudly represents a recycling program that has diverted an amazing 74 percent of its waste from landfills in the last year. This includes over 1500 tons of animal's waste and tree trimmings that combine to form their famous compost material. In 2003, the Zoo diverted 4300 tons of waste and saved almost $60,000 through tipping fees avoided and revenue gained from selling recyclable materials. Won WRAP awards in 2001 and 2004 (2 years).
Web site: www.LAZOO.org

Nomad Café—Oakland

Nomad Café is the East Bay's hip, new, independently owned, community-based, earth-friendly arts and Internet café. Ninety-five percent of waste produced at the café is compostable, and is recycled through a local food waste-recycling program, or directly to customers. Nomad diverts over twelve tons of waste per year from landfills through proactive recycling and composting programs. All Nomad Café coffee products are Organic and Fair Trade Certified to promote sustainable farming and a healthier planet. First year as WRAP award winner (2004).
Web site: www.nomadcafe.net

Northstar-at-Tahoe—Truckee

Northstar-at-Tahoe is a ski and summer resort located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range near beautiful Lake Tahoe. In an effort to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill, Northstar renewed its commitment to reducing waste and recycling at its two main restaurant locations. Through reduced packaging, less food waste, increased recycling, and education of both employees and customers, Northstar saved $28,000 over a five-month period in waste hauling charges, saving tons of waste from the waste stream. Won WRAP awards in 1997-2004 (8 years).
Web site: www.northstarattahoe.com

Quady Winery—Madera

Quady Winery is a small, family-run business that makes internationally renowned dessert wines. Through on-site activities such as composting, the winery has been able to reuse over 62 tons of organic waste. Last year, by starting a recycling program for production and office materials, the winery was able to cut its total waste in half, and divert an additional 21 tons from the landfill.

In total, 99.3 percent of waste generated by the winery is composted or recycled. Recent modifications in packaging, investment in modern processing equipment, and a redesign of the vineyard irrigation system have been highly effective in reducing waste, energy, and water costs. At least $10,000 was saved last year. Quady Winery views waste reduction as part of its overall responsibility to the community and also participate in other green business practices. Won WRAP awards in 2003 and 2004 (2 years).
Web site: www.quadywinery.com

Ricoh Electronics, Inc. (REI)—Tustin

Ricoh Electronics, Inc. (REI) is one of 395 domestic and overseas companies that comprise Ricoh Company, Ltd., a $14.7 billion global corporation and a leading supplier of advanced office automation equipment. Ricoh produces highly-advanced digital copiers, peripherals, printed circuit boards, SecureFax machines, eCabinets, thermal media, toner, parts, remanufactured toner cartridges and customer configured products at their facilities in Orange County, California, Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Toluca, Mexico.

Since the founding of Ricoh Electronics, Inc., in Orange County in 1973, they have faithfully upheld their commitment to quality excellence while experiencing impressive growth in the array of products and services they provide. Their 1,384 employees are dedicated to meeting the challenges associated with this tremendous growth and achieving their vision: Delivering Excellence in Image Communication for the Future…Today!

Ricoh's philosophy is to pursue environmental conservation because they have a strong sense of mission as a citizen of this Earth. Ricoh does not take action to preserve the environment simply for the sake of complying with regulations, but because it is fundamental to their continued success as a business. REI continues to improve its Zero Waste to Landfill Reduction of Waste system, which was achieved in 2001, and pursue additional environmental goals.

In 2003, REI diverted over 8,001,140 pounds of waste through the recycling efforts of each employee. Over the past year, REI saved over $2,500,000 as a result of their employee driven Environmental Sustainability Improvement Activities. Efforts made through the continuous improvement activities will make REI a more attractive company in the eyes of their customers, shareholders and society at large. Won WRAP awards in 1995-2004 (7 years).
Web site: www.rei.ricoh.com