Sunnyvale Businesses Win Environmental Achievement Awards
Sunnyvale Businesses Win Environmental Achievement Awards
April 21, 2000 at 12:00 AM EDT
Sunnyvale Businesses Win Environmental Achievement AwardsSunnyvale, CA (4/21/00) -- In recognition of their outstanding contributions to environmental protection, seven Sunnyvale businesses have received Environmental Achievement Awards from the City of Sunnyvale. The businesses will be honored at the City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25 at Sunnyvale City Hall, 456 West Olive Avenue. The media is invited to meet the winners and City representatives at the awards reception before the Council meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall main lobby.
The Environmental Achievement Awards program is hosted annually around Earth Day by the City of Sunnyvale to recognize organizations and residents who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of the environment. "The City of Sunnyvale is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment for all members of our community. We cannot accomplish this goal alone," remarked Public Works Director Marvin Rose. "We hope the winners will serve as models for others, inspiring us all to take a leadership role in conserving our resources and preserving nature's delicate ecosystems."
Businesses and other organizations submitted applications in four categories, and representatives from City divisions judged the candidates on the basis of predetermined award criteria. This year's winners are as follows:
Five other organizations will also be recognized at the City Council meeting for partnering with the City on environmental projects over the past year. Go Network will receive a Certificate of Appreciation for sponsoring the January 20 kick-off of the Bay Area-wide waste prevention campaign "Save Money and the Environment Too". Coldwell Banker, Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, 7-Eleven, Inc., and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce will receive Certificates of Appreciation for their long-standing partnership on the annual City-wide Garage Sales.
The City of Sunnyvale has been recognized as an "Earth Day 2000 Community" in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, and has been presented with a "Green Community Seal of Approval" from Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day and Chair of Earth Day Network. Sunnyvale Mayor Patricia Vorreiter has proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day and encourages the City's residents, businesses, and institutions to use Earth Day to commit to building a sustainable society. The proclamation also pledges the City's support of the Earth Day Network's Clean Energy Agenda and commits the City to undertake programs that further the clean and efficient use of energy within its borders.
About the Winners
Open Space Preservation and Restoration
In the category of Open Space Preservation & Restoration, the City awarded the Orchard Heritage Park and Interpretative Exhibit (OHPIE) which will become an integral part of the Heritage Apricot Orchard located adjacent to the Sunnyvale Community Center. This artistically designed exhibit will serve to educate viewers of the significant role of Santa Clara Valley's orchard heritage and also demonstrates the valuable role that we, as citizens, can play in making important improvements to our community.
"We were really impressed. OHPIE is the best example of a project in Silicon Valley focusing on our orchard heritage. It is a classic example of extended community effort to bring a project into reality. The excellence of design was also very impressive," offered Fred Bell, Principal Planner with the City of Sunnyvale. The OHPIE Alliance will break ground on the Valley's first interpretive exhibit depicting Silicon Valley's early agricultural history and orchard era on Saturday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sunnyvale Community Center, Arboretum and Gardens, 550 E. Remington Drive.
Pollution Prevention
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company won an Achievement Award in the Pollution Prevention category for a cooperative project to control storm water runoff pollution from several construction sites discharging to a single drainage way. After passing through many best management controls, runoff from the construction sites passes through retention ponds, allowing final settling of any construction sediment. Sunnyvale Senior Industrial Waste Inspector Robert Gallo commented, "the program includes intensive site monitoring and protective measures, and has resulted in documented on-site retention of construction sediment during rainfall."
The other recipient of an Environmental Achievement Award in the category of Pollution Prevention is CerOx Corporation. CerOx is commercializing the Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation process for destroying hazardous organic waste streams, converting the toxics into carbon dioxide and water. This unique process is an economical, non-thermal alternative to incineration, and is currently in service at one university and the U.S. Navy. The process can be operated on-site at a reduced cost to the generator, eliminating the transportation and incineration of hazardous waste streams. "Since its inception, CerOx has been committed to designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing equipment that is effective in the treatment of some hazardous waste streams," observed Stewart McGee, Hazardous Materials Inspector with the City of Sunnyvale.
Transportation and Energy Efficiency
One award winner in the category of Transportation and Energy Efficiency was DES Architects and Engineers for their Moffett Park project. This attractive, high-tech office and research campus serves as
an excellent example of how project location and design can promote multi-modal transportation goals. "The incorporation of facilities to encourage a variety of transportation alternatives, including a new light-rail station, will help reduce vehicle trips and serve as a model for similar projects in the future," commented Bell.
Another Achievement Award winner in the Transportation and Energy Efficiency category is SunPower Corporation in recognition of their high efficiency solar cell research. SunPower solar cells serve in a variety of applications including extreme altitude, very long duration aircraft flight powered exclusively by the sun. The company has helped to educate the public about solar cells by supplying solar cell modules to Honda Motor Car Company and several universities, including Stanford University for The World's Solar Challenge, a 1700 mile race across Australia in solar powered cars. According to Bell, "SunPower's solar research is invaluable in the important area of alternative energy development."
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. was one of the winners in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category. In the past year, the company has re-energized their recycling program, forming a "Green Team" that has initiated several creative ideas to preserve valuable resources. "They have often gone the extra mile - literally - to deliver recyclables when no vendors would offer pick-up service, assuring that materials do not end up in the landfill," remarked Gail Bentley, Sunnyvale's Commercial Recycling Specialist. One of the program's strengths is their attention to recycling more elusive materials such as office supplies, CD-ROMs, and styrofoam. "The Mitsubishi Team has examined their facility in detail, and responded effectively to many opportunities to reduce waste and improve our global environment."
Idec Corporation is the other winner in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category. Idec has developed a superior approach to employee participation in waste reduction and recycling, fostering friendly competition and encouraging employee input. "IDECurrency" vouchers are given to groups with the strongest recycling efforts, and prizes are awarded to those who accumulate the most vouchers. Idec also makes the purchase of recycled content products an important part of their environmental plan. In addition, the company has improved its bottom line with a strong reuse program, saving $12,000 on shipping cartons and paper in the last quarter of 1999. "Along with other stellar recycling and reuse practices, Idec has demonstrated commitment to environmental quality, and serves as an outstanding example of ingenuity and teamwork," said Bentley.
# # #
The Environmental Achievement Awards program is hosted annually around Earth Day by the City of Sunnyvale to recognize organizations and residents who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of the environment. "The City of Sunnyvale is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment for all members of our community. We cannot accomplish this goal alone," remarked Public Works Director Marvin Rose. "We hope the winners will serve as models for others, inspiring us all to take a leadership role in conserving our resources and preserving nature's delicate ecosystems."
Businesses and other organizations submitted applications in four categories, and representatives from City divisions judged the candidates on the basis of predetermined award criteria. This year's winners are as follows:
| Open Space Preservation and Restoration: |
Orchard Heritage Park & Interpretive Exhibit |
| Pollution Prevention: | CerOx Corporation Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company |
| Transportation and Energy Efficiency: | DES Architects & Engineers SunPower Corporation |
| Waste Reduction and Recycling: | IDEC Corporation Mitsubishi Electronics |
Five other organizations will also be recognized at the City Council meeting for partnering with the City on environmental projects over the past year. Go Network will receive a Certificate of Appreciation for sponsoring the January 20 kick-off of the Bay Area-wide waste prevention campaign "Save Money and the Environment Too". Coldwell Banker, Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County, 7-Eleven, Inc., and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce will receive Certificates of Appreciation for their long-standing partnership on the annual City-wide Garage Sales.
The City of Sunnyvale has been recognized as an "Earth Day 2000 Community" in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, and has been presented with a "Green Community Seal of Approval" from Denis Hayes, the organizer of the first Earth Day and Chair of Earth Day Network. Sunnyvale Mayor Patricia Vorreiter has proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day and encourages the City's residents, businesses, and institutions to use Earth Day to commit to building a sustainable society. The proclamation also pledges the City's support of the Earth Day Network's Clean Energy Agenda and commits the City to undertake programs that further the clean and efficient use of energy within its borders.
About the Winners
Open Space Preservation and Restoration
In the category of Open Space Preservation & Restoration, the City awarded the Orchard Heritage Park and Interpretative Exhibit (OHPIE) which will become an integral part of the Heritage Apricot Orchard located adjacent to the Sunnyvale Community Center. This artistically designed exhibit will serve to educate viewers of the significant role of Santa Clara Valley's orchard heritage and also demonstrates the valuable role that we, as citizens, can play in making important improvements to our community.
"We were really impressed. OHPIE is the best example of a project in Silicon Valley focusing on our orchard heritage. It is a classic example of extended community effort to bring a project into reality. The excellence of design was also very impressive," offered Fred Bell, Principal Planner with the City of Sunnyvale. The OHPIE Alliance will break ground on the Valley's first interpretive exhibit depicting Silicon Valley's early agricultural history and orchard era on Saturday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sunnyvale Community Center, Arboretum and Gardens, 550 E. Remington Drive.
Pollution Prevention
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company won an Achievement Award in the Pollution Prevention category for a cooperative project to control storm water runoff pollution from several construction sites discharging to a single drainage way. After passing through many best management controls, runoff from the construction sites passes through retention ponds, allowing final settling of any construction sediment. Sunnyvale Senior Industrial Waste Inspector Robert Gallo commented, "the program includes intensive site monitoring and protective measures, and has resulted in documented on-site retention of construction sediment during rainfall."
The other recipient of an Environmental Achievement Award in the category of Pollution Prevention is CerOx Corporation. CerOx is commercializing the Mediated Electrochemical Oxidation process for destroying hazardous organic waste streams, converting the toxics into carbon dioxide and water. This unique process is an economical, non-thermal alternative to incineration, and is currently in service at one university and the U.S. Navy. The process can be operated on-site at a reduced cost to the generator, eliminating the transportation and incineration of hazardous waste streams. "Since its inception, CerOx has been committed to designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing equipment that is effective in the treatment of some hazardous waste streams," observed Stewart McGee, Hazardous Materials Inspector with the City of Sunnyvale.
Transportation and Energy Efficiency
One award winner in the category of Transportation and Energy Efficiency was DES Architects and Engineers for their Moffett Park project. This attractive, high-tech office and research campus serves as
an excellent example of how project location and design can promote multi-modal transportation goals. "The incorporation of facilities to encourage a variety of transportation alternatives, including a new light-rail station, will help reduce vehicle trips and serve as a model for similar projects in the future," commented Bell.
Another Achievement Award winner in the Transportation and Energy Efficiency category is SunPower Corporation in recognition of their high efficiency solar cell research. SunPower solar cells serve in a variety of applications including extreme altitude, very long duration aircraft flight powered exclusively by the sun. The company has helped to educate the public about solar cells by supplying solar cell modules to Honda Motor Car Company and several universities, including Stanford University for The World's Solar Challenge, a 1700 mile race across Australia in solar powered cars. According to Bell, "SunPower's solar research is invaluable in the important area of alternative energy development."
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. was one of the winners in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category. In the past year, the company has re-energized their recycling program, forming a "Green Team" that has initiated several creative ideas to preserve valuable resources. "They have often gone the extra mile - literally - to deliver recyclables when no vendors would offer pick-up service, assuring that materials do not end up in the landfill," remarked Gail Bentley, Sunnyvale's Commercial Recycling Specialist. One of the program's strengths is their attention to recycling more elusive materials such as office supplies, CD-ROMs, and styrofoam. "The Mitsubishi Team has examined their facility in detail, and responded effectively to many opportunities to reduce waste and improve our global environment."
Idec Corporation is the other winner in the Waste Reduction and Recycling category. Idec has developed a superior approach to employee participation in waste reduction and recycling, fostering friendly competition and encouraging employee input. "IDECurrency" vouchers are given to groups with the strongest recycling efforts, and prizes are awarded to those who accumulate the most vouchers. Idec also makes the purchase of recycled content products an important part of their environmental plan. In addition, the company has improved its bottom line with a strong reuse program, saving $12,000 on shipping cartons and paper in the last quarter of 1999. "Along with other stellar recycling and reuse practices, Idec has demonstrated commitment to environmental quality, and serves as an outstanding example of ingenuity and teamwork," said Bentley.