Kenworth’s Renton plant receives workplace recycling award from King County
The Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth Truck Co. manufacturing plant in Renton, Wash., has received a 2009 Best Workplace for Recycling and Waste Reduction Award from King County, Wash.’s Solid Waste Division for the facility’s efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. “Kenworth is honored to receive this prestigious King County environmental award,” said Marilyn Santangelo, assistant general manager for operations. “The Kenworth Renton plant is committed to waste reduction, conserving natural resources, and protecting the environment.”
The plant’s latest initiatives include implementation of an on-site vehicle no-idle policy and establishment of a Zero Waste to Landfill goal. To date, the facility’s recycling efforts have resulted in nearly 80 percent of all material being diverted away from landfills. The success is attributed to strategically positioning recycle bins throughout the plant, using returnable shipping containers, reducing packaging material, and segregating waste streams. The facility also composts food waste from its cafeteria. “Our environmental program is of special importance, and it is especially gratifying to receive this award for our significant accomplishments,” said Plant Manager Reid Nabarrete.
This spring, the facility received the King County Industrial Waste Program’s Commitment-to-Compliance Award for five consecutive years of outstanding compliance with the plant’s industrial wastewater discharge permit. It marked the plant’s second consecutive Commitment-to-Compliance award, which represents 10 consecutive years of no wastewater violations of any kind covering discharge, permit, ordinance, reporting, self-monitoring and King County monitoring.