Leprechauns prefer Norco™ Heavy Duty Quad Canes

The world will look a little greener on St. Patrick’s day, covered in four-leaf clovers and leprechauns with pots of gold. Though St. Patrick’s day is traditionally a day to commemorate Saint Patrick, at North Coast Medical, we celebrate helping the world be greener – in an eco-friendly, sustainable energy kind of way.

This year, we are proud to announce our Facilities Administrator’s acceptance of the 2011 Gilroy Business Recycler of The Year Award from Recology South Valley on behalf of North Coast Medical, for establish a recycling program and energy sustaining procedures for a greener working environment. The effort was fronted by Pablo, who worked closely with Recology South Valley  in order to manage the recycling program, and has been contagious throughout North Coast. Employees embrace the program by ensuring everything that can be recycled is done so. When accepting the award this month, Pablo mentioned, “Really when I’m accepting this award, I’m doing it for all the employees at North Coast – It’s not just me doing this, and it’s not just about cutting costs.  We all watch each other’s backs because we all care for our planet and that is what motivates employees.  It’s the right thing to do.”

With a commitment to the preservation of the environment, Recology South Valleycreates unique recycling programs that meet each business’ specific needs.   When North Coast Medical moved to Gilroy, Pablo partnered with Recology South Valleyto develop a greener work environment.  North Coast chose to make simple modifications to the new builiding that help sustain energy and cut costs.  By moving away from tile ceilings and using skylights to provide natural light, less energy is required to light the room.  All artificial lighting is motion sensitive to prevent wasting energy on a room no one is in. The ceilings are also insulated, so less heat is required to maintain the temperature of the office.  The result has been significant with thousands of dollars saved monthly in energy costs. Further conservation efforts were realized when replacing all the interior plants with artificial plants saving almost $500 a month on our water bill.

Pablo Zertuche (left) of North Coast Medical with Julie Atler (right) of Recology South Valley, and our energy efficient skylight ceilings.

It is a group effort and Pablo made sure recycling bins were at every desk and  spread strategically throughout the building.   Large bins were set up in the warehouse to collect used corrugated cardboard for pickup by Recology South Valley for recycle along with all the paper waste collected throughout the company.

However, it didn’t stop there. Pablo went above and beyond by providing North Coast Medical employees with a battery recycling drop box, where employees can drop off dead batteries.  He would then take them to a local recycling center.

In addition, our partnership with HOPE Services has provided Pablo with more opportunities to recycle.   Clothing drives are often set up in the North Coast parking lot where employees can bring clothes to benefit the members of HOPE.   Together with HOPE Services , North Coast Medical promotes and manages E-waste Events in the North Coast parking lot,so the  local community has a place to safely dispose of  computers, monitors, keyboards, faxes, etc.

So while we all celebrate today with a little green, we highly encourage everyone to make each day a little greener by recycling and conserving energy. If you would like to know how you can make a difference at your place of business, please contact Recology.

Pablo and Julie in North Coast Medical's warehouse, as they go over the details of the recycling program