The Principal and the Environment

Employee education

We regularly communicate with our employees about our environmental actions and results, as well as help them understand how they can make a difference at work and home.

We've sponsored environmentally focused lunch and learns featuring experts discussing everything from recycling to home improvements. In 2011, we held our third annual Earth Fair to increase awareness among employees about the company's environmental practices and to help them implement more eco-friendly practices on a personal level. The fair also showcased various suppliers and their eco-friendly practices.

Purchasing practices

Whenever possible, our purchases of environmentally preferred products and services are made with companies that have environmentally friendly policies when such products and services are available for the intended purpose at a reasonable cost.

For example, we encourage the purchase and use of promotional and office products made of eco-friendly materials and printing on paper produced by companies with sustainable forestry practices. We reuse products such as office supplies and recycle computer products through suppliers who have responsible and environmentally friendly practices.

We ask our travel suppliers about their sustainability practices and make this information available to employees.

Our janitorial provider transitioned to environmentally friendly cleaning supplies in 2006. We also use Green-Seal Certified soap/hand sanitizer at our facilities. For more about these standards, please see www.greenseal.org.

» See our Supplier code of conduct for more information (PDF)

Future plans

In addition to the actions we've already taken, plans for the future include:

• Commitment to LEED^® certification process
  • Pursue LEED certification on some existing buildings
• Lighting management
  • Develop a multi-year plan for a total conversion to LED lighting
• Energy efficiency
  • Continue using our comprehensive building controls to handle air and lighting more efficiently
• Champion the cause
  • Collaborate with customers, suppliers, employees and governmental agencies in advancing all aspects of sustainability