Materials Management Division honored
Sarasota County has been named a recipient of a 2017 Green Supply Chain Award by the publication and website Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the county has announced.
“The award recognizes companies and organizations that are making green [initiatives] or sustainability a core part of their supply chain strategy and [that are] working to achieve measurable sustainability goals within their own operations and supply chains,” a news release explains.
The integration of sustainability into the operations of the county’s Materials Management Division has resulted in cost savings and waste reduction benefits, the release points out. From cardboard and plastic bags to pallets, Manager Steve Thomas and his team “are constantly looking for ways to reduce the number of disposable items being provided by suppliers and to find alternative uses for the items they do receive at the county’s warehouse,” the release notes.
“I am very proud of Materials Management’s commitment to sustainability in its daily business operations,” said Jeff Lowdermilk, director of the county’s General Services Department, in the release. “This effort is indicative of the focus across the department to ensure everyone is involved in continuous improvement initiatives.”
This is not the first time Thomas and his team have been recognized for their efforts, the release points out. The Materials Management team received the county’s Sustainability STAR of the Year award in 2016 “for its comprehensive commitment to sustainability innovation,” the release says. “The team is also certified as a Sarasota County Green Business Partner, having implemented improvement strategies in the areas of energy, water and waste reduction,” the release adds.
“Sustainability isn’t just a lofty goal we are trying to achieve as a community,” said Lee Hayes Byron, the county’s sustainability manager, in the release. “It’s something we put into practice every day throughout our organization, and this latest award reflects how Sarasota County is leading by example.”