When each of AT&T Alascom’s departments was originally asked to set waste reduction and recycling goals for the coming year and to incorporate Green Star principles into its work plan, a dedicated, eager team of employees volunteered to reduce waste and save money otherwise spent on waste disposal.
AT&T Alascom has made energy-savings changes in newly remodeled sections of its buildings, has set up a system to collect and reuse old office supplies and has asked vendors to provide products made from recycled materials. Participation in the company’s paper-recycling program increased by more than 300 percent in its first year, enabling the company to donate $3,400 in recycling revenues to Bean’s Café, a local social service agency that serves meals to the homeless in Anchorage.
AT&T Alascom currently recycles office paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, cardboard, and wire. The company recycled 10,500 pounds of office paper last year along with about 1,400 pounds of phone books.
Energy-saving activities include insulating the Toll Center during a remodeling project, replacing windows with units with better insulating value, replacing old lighting ballasts with energy efficient ballasts, lowering the ceiling on one floor of the Toll Center to reduce heating costs, disconnecting a second boiler when it is not in use, reviewing the company’s air handling systems, installing lower wattage light bulbs, and installing a hydronic heating system on the third floor of the Toll Center. The changes made, along with increased employee awareness, have reduced electricity consumption by eight percent.
To prevent waste generated by using disposable items, the company ordered 1, 000 ceramic mugs to replace disposable cups in the office place. These mugs were distributed at work stations and conference rooms.
AT&T Alascom also has reduced the quantity of hazardous materials it uses. The Reproduction, Wood, and Metal Shops have installed new hoods for better ventilation in areas using chemicals. This increases efficiency and improves the health of workers. The Reproduction Shop also is using non-toxic printing inks.
Custodial staff began using an earth-friendly line of cleaning products when the company joined Green Star. The company also requires its contract janitors to discontinue the use of toxic carpet cleaning products when carpets are cleaned.
AT&T Alascom, Inc. http://wwww.att.com
