Today, November 15th is America Recycles Day. We’re reminded of the critical role recycling plays in protecting our environment. Across the country, recycling reduces landfill waste, conserves natural resources, and saves energy. At Skookum, sustainability is central to our mission, and this day provides an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of our employees who champion waste reduction in innovative ways.
For example, Skookum employee Gregory Lewis, who works at Fort Gregg-Adams has demonstrated how impactful reusing can be. By rescuing items such as boots, bags, hand sanitizer, and even Army cots destined for disposal, Gregory contributes to the Environmental Division’s Net Zero program, which focuses on reducing waste. His efforts to reuse recently enabled the donation of 89 cots to a local shelter, providing beds for those who had previously been sleeping on the floor. This is just one example of how Skookum team members support both the environment and their communities through resourceful reusing and recycling.
Recycling provides significant environmental and economic benefits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one ton of paper can save up to 7,000 gallons of water and enough energy to power a home for six months. Recycling aluminum is even more impactful. According to United Aluminum, Recycling a ton of aluminum saves up to 14,000 kilowatt-hours, enough to power a household for over a year, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
At Skookum, sustainability is a core part of our manufacturing and facility management services. Our teams nationwide support clients in recycling and waste reduction, helping them cut operational costs and reduce their environmental impact. In manufacturing, we prioritize recycling materials like aluminum and paper to conserve energy and minimize waste.
This America Recycles Day, Skookum shows its commitment to sustainability and driving positive change for our company, clients, and the communities we serve.