Customer Focus:RODON GROUP At SWS, we love sharing the achievements of our customers, especially when it comes to environmental sustainability. The Rodon Group, a certified Landfill Free plastics molder who recently had the honor of leading President Obama on a tour of their manufacturing facility, certainly shares many of our views about corporate responsibility and environmental impact.

Manufacturers of K’NEX children’s construction systems, as well as products for the medical, consumer, construction and pharmaceutical industries, Rodon is totally committed to environmental sustainability. And in 2011, they became one of the first plastics molding facilities in the area to be awarded the designation of “Landfill Free Facility” by Sustainable Waste Solutions.

“The depth and breadth of our green initiatives have made us a leader in the plastics industry,” said President and CEO Michael Araten. “Our uniquely efficient manufacturing processes eliminate over-packaging, minimize waste, water and energy consumption, and reduce transportation costs. We’re able to conserve 150 tons of cardboard each year, eliminating the need for about 3,000 cubic yards of landfill space.”

The commitment to green practices runs clear through their products, too. Rodon uses only non-toxic colorants and resins in their manufacturing process, and reuses or recycles all scrap. In addition, all customers are offered a returnable/reusable packaging program, and Rodon employees can participate in a recycling program including a drop-off for used electronics, computer equipment, batteries and lights.

For more information about The Rodon Group, visit www.rodongroup.com.

For more information about SWS, please go to www.landfillfree.com or call 215-723-7723.

Emerging TechnologyElectronics Recycling/Data DeletionIt’s a sign of the times: as technology advances at break-neck speeds, businesses everywhere are becoming increasingly reliant upon electronic devices to keep track of everything from client communications and daily scheduling to sensitive financial data. This ever-increasing influx of information makes it necessary to constantly upgrade to faster, more sophisticated computers, monitors, smart phones and storage devices just to keep pace.

This, in turn, has created a need to dispose of obsolete equipment that not only contains sensitive data, but potentially toxic materials such as lead, mercury, phosphorous and radioactive isotopes. Placed in landfills, these materials can contaminate soil and seep into ground water. Currently, twenty-five states including Pennsylvania have passed laws regulating eWaste disposal, with more to follow.

To deal with these new regulations, as well as ensure that data stored on old computers, cell phones and peripheral devices isn’t compromised, a new breed of specialized electronics recycling services have sprung up. Called eCyclers, these businesses offer end-of-life equipment disposal management, as well as consulting on what equipment and parts should be marketed for reuse, which should be broken down for materials recovery, and which must be shredded and destroyed for security concerns.

For total business security during eCycling, it is generally recommended all hard drives, cell phones and smart devices containing business data be drilled and shredded, lest critical information fall into the wrong hands.

SWS offers a complete, compliant eRecycling solution that protects privacy and meets the newest regulatory requirements. To maximize security, nothing is reused, repurposed or resold. Performed at a secure drop-off point at our client’s location, electronics are broken down, sorted and shredded, and all data storage devices are drilled and shredded. No mistakes, no potential for errors: data recovery is impossible, guaranteeing your total security and peace of mind.

For more information about SWS, please go to www.landfillfree.com or call 215-723-7723.

GETTING IN THE SPIRITTOYS FOR TOTS 2012Looking for a good cause to get involved in this year, like making a child happy?

Joe Heffernan and Heffernan Associates, the owners and operators of Babylon Business Park on Horsham Road in Horsham, PA, have graciously donated the use of a suite in their business park as a consolidation point for the local U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots 2012 collection event.

And Sustainable Waste Solutions (SWS) is partnering with Heffernan Associates in support of the Toys for Tots program, donating our Landfill Free waste and single stream recycling services for consolidation support at their facility.

This year’s event began November 2012 and wraps up in January 2013 — visit toysfortots.org to see what you need to do to contribute a toy to this worthy event!

The Toys for Tots program is a non-profit organization managed by volunteers from the United States Marine Corps Reserve since 1991.

www.toysfortots.org donating all of these services will significantly reduce overhead costs typically associated with the operation of the program.

For more information about SWS, please go to www.landfillfree.com or call 215-723-7723.

‘TIS THE SEASON OF GIVING BACK Traditionally, the holidays are the time of year most companies think about giving back to the local community. And why not? Helping others makes us feel good about ourselves, and quite frankly, it’s great PR. There are other business-oriented benefits as well, such as building comradery among employees who participate in community service events together.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy here on the East Coast, there are entire communities whose lives have been turned upside down. Helping out can be as simple as organizing an employee drive to collect food, supplies and clothes to drop off at local shelters, such as the one recently held at SWS.

No matter how large or small your company is, you and your employees can make a real difference in the lives of others. We’ve listed a few suggestions below. Why not use them as a starting point for making community service a holiday tradition at your company?

1. Organize an Employee Volunteer Day Help clean up a local park. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Serve food at a local shelter.

2. Donate Products or Services What does your company sell? Can you donate products to raise funds with, help out with skilled labor for home repairs, or donate a portion of your earnings on a given day?

3. Sponsor a Family Many local churches have programs in place to help out families in need. Ask your employees for suggestions.

4. Give Blood Always important, blood donations drop off during the holidays. Call your local Red Cross to see what you need to do to organize a blood drive in your area.

5. Cash Works, Too If you can’t give time, give money to the causes and charities you believe in. It may feel less personal, but in the end, help still reaches the right people.

For more information about SWS, please go to www.landfillfree.com or call 215-723-7723.

Ever bump into someone that seems to be able to do anything… and remembers to ask how your daughter’s birthday party went as she figures out the lunch tip for everyone at the table?

Linda Landis is one of those people. And we’re really happy we hired her.

Linda’s been with us since the company’s inception back in 2004. And although her official title here is Controller, she’s much more to us than that. Not only does she handle all of our accounting, she keeps the information systems that are the backbone of our company up-to-date and up-to-speed. And when she’s not crunching numbers, she’s soothing nerves (and tempers) in Customer Service and Human Resources.

She’s hooked right into the local landscape, too.

“Having grown up on a farm literally down the road from our offices (in Franconia), I’m thrilled to be part of a company that’s working to protect the local environment,” says Linda.

Married to husband Ray for 23 years now, when Linda’s not keeping everything at SWS organized, under control and running smoothly, she’s enjoying Girl Scouts and softball with children, Amanda, Joshua and Jessica.

For more information about SWS, please go to www.landfillfree.com or call 215-723-7723.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE LINDA LANDIS HAS OUR NUMBERS – AND OUR BACK