Next time you crack open a cold one, think green.
Golden Eagle Distributors is the winner of Arizona’s Greenest Workplace Challenge, sponsored by Mrs. Green’s World.
The competition was focused on promoting environmental awareness and action, and 28 Arizona companies submitted entries. Visitors to Mrs. Green’s World website voted on the winning workplace.
“Golden Eagle is just outstanding,” said Mrs. Green’s World founder Gina Murphy-Darling. “The company is doing everything it possibly can to be good stewards of the environment and to incorporate systemic sustainability into their business practices.”
Golden Eagle is the local, exclusive distributor of Anheuser-Busch products, as well as other import and craft beers. Owned by the Clements family for three generations, the company is headquartered in Tucson, with offices in Buckeye, Casa Grande, Flagstaff, Globe and Show Low.
Kimberly Clements, president of Golden Eagle, said environmental awareness has always been part of the company business plan.
“Being a green company can be great for the bottom line and the environment,” Clements said, adding that the company continuously seeks new ways to increase energy efficiency and decrease the use of resources, engaging employees in the effort.
“My advice to other companies looking for greener energy solutions is to research as much as possible,” said Bill Osteen, Golden Eagle’s senior vice president of business operations. A great place to start is joining the Tucson Regional Clean Cities Coalition or other such group. They can help assist in research, finding quality vendors and evaluating options.
A sampling of Golden Eagle’s “green workplace” practices:
Recycling
• Golden Eagle has recycled more than four tons of aluminum, 62 tons of glass and 420 cubic yards of cardboard, plastic and paper this year.
• The company provides free reusable beverage container recycling bins and compostable beverage cups made from corn for use at special events.
Clean-up
• Employees helped beautify Kennedy Park and Sears Park this year.
• Golden Eagle supplies recycling bags to lakes and recreational areas throughout Southern Arizona to encourage boaters and visitors to dispose of trash.
Energy Efficiency
• Golden Eagle recently upgraded facilities to be more energy efficient: new heating, ventilating and air conditioning controls resulted in an 8.7 percent drop in electric usage and a 60 percent drop in natural gas. The company expects new warehouse lights to save 656,000 kilowatts per year.
Transportation
• The company participates in the Sun Rideshare program and promotes alternative modes of transportation, including carpooling and public transit.
• Golden Eagle uses UPS Logistics software to route delivery vehicles to save time and fuel.
• The company is exploring alternative fuel methods for its delivery fleet and is participating in a pilot program to test the effectiveness of a liquid-gas solution, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Coalition and transportation companies Ryder and Clean Energy.
Education and Training
• An employee-led “Green Team” keeps workers informed on environmental topics and initiatives.