May 31, 2016 – August 5, 2016
Our pilot Green Team program was launched in the summer of 2016. In total, 35 undergraduates from 22 different degree programs worked on transdisciplinary teams for ten weeks to address sustainability challenges for seven corporations located throughout New Jersey:
Click the company to learn more about them and what their Green Team did this summer!
About the Company
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest investor owned utility. A regulated gas and electric utility company serving 2.2 million electric customers and 1.8 million gas customers, approximately 70 percent of the state’s population, it holds approximately $35 billion in assets and $11 billion in revenues. They are headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.
Project Summary
PSEG asked its Green Team to assist them in developing a new sustainability report written to the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Their Green Team developed the following:
- Created an excel tool identifying “core” (non-industry specific) and utility specific indicators that would allow PSEG to report to the GRI G4 standards. This tool was used by PSEG to report on its progress towards meeting GRI standards on the company’s website.
- Created a competitor analysis identifying sustainability best practices and offering opportunities for PSEG to expand upon its current sustainability initiatives.
- Filmed a public service announcement (PSA) to increase employee engagement with the company’s sustainability initiatives.
About the Company
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), a Fortune 500 global bio-pharma company that manufactures prescription pharmaceuticals in several therapeutic areas, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and psychiatric disorders, has delivered 12 new medicines to patients in the past seven years, and has strong commitment to the preservation of natural resources.
Project Summary
BMS asked their Green Team to research innovative ways to increase employee engagement with existing and new sustainability initiatives at BMS. To achieve this goal, the Green Team provided BMS with the following deliverables:
- Developed an employee survey designed to provide BMS with insight into understanding and improving employee engagement with its sustainability program.
- Conducted a focus group to understand factors that would motivate younger employees to engage with BMS’ current sustainability initiatives.
- Proposed a redesign of BMS’ internal “Go Green Sharepoint” site to better promote the company’s sustainability initiatives amongst employees. This redesign included the implementation of interactive global maps that allow employees to view best practice initiatives at BMS sites around the world.
- Provided a competitor analysis of initiatives to promote corporate sustainability and improve employee relations.
About the Company
Founded in 1907 and supported by three generations of the Cox family, Cox Printers was purchased by the Kaufman family in 1982. Cox Printers offers a wide range of services to its customers from off-set and digital printing to direct mail, signage and marketing.
Project Summary
Cox Printers asked their Green Team to provide solutions to reduce their carbon footprint, identify/develop a carbon calculator for present and future outputs, and establish environmentally sustainable partnerships with local community organizations. By the end of the summer, their Green Team produced the following deliverables:
- Calculated Cox Printer’s carbon footprint using carbon calculator developed at University of California Berkley, and provided an analysis of how Cox Printers’ footprint compares to similar businesses in its region.
- Recommended utilizing biodegradable shrink wrap as a new packaging solution, after conducting a cost analysis. Based on their results, Cox put an order to use this shrink wrap on future packaging projects.
- Developed two separate “green roof” proposals designed to reduce heating/cooling costs and overall carbon emissions, while increasing employee engagement with the company’s sustainability initiatives.
- Provided solutions to reduce electricity consumption and improve vehicle fleet efficiency.
- Proposed donating excess produce from the company’s green roof to a local food bank.
- Recommended purchasing Pyrex and Glasslock Containers for company kitchen to reduce employee waste consumption.
About the Company
With its multidisciplinary team of research, financial management and environmental planning professionals, Greener by Design brings a comprehensive understanding of the economic and policy underpinnings of a rapidly changing environmental landscape as well as a fresh perspective on how technology, innovation and legislation will influence the market in years to come.
Project Summary
Greener by Design asked its Green Team to provide research and technical support for various internal and client based projects. Its Green Team provided the following the company with the following deliverables:
- Wrote a whitepaper comparing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) certified buildings to those constructed using a LEED™ approach.
- Provided a map simulation of under-utilized and closed properties for a large sanitation company. These maps provide a projection for potential redevelopment of these underutilized sites, while also creating an inventory of those properties in the region.
- Researched how a microgrid can incorporate existing renewable, or newly distribute, energy generated at Maher Terminals Llc. in order to reduce emissions.
- Analyzed marketing and communication material and strategies for small, sustainability management consulting firms.
About the Company
New Jersey Manufacturer’s Insurance began in 1913 to serve factory workers seeking insurance. In more than a century, NJM has grown to offer personal auto, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, homeowners and umbrella insurance, from three locations – West Trenton, Parsippany and Hammonton.
Project Summary
NJM asked its Green Team to identify low-cost, easy to implement programs that benefit the environment, share information about green programs supported by businesses similar to their company, review current sustainability practices and provide plans for best practices and return on investment (ROI) analyses for their West Trenton location. The NJM team produced the following deliverables:
- Created a proprietary carbon calculator to calculate NJM’s annual carbon footprint and identified opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions.
- Conducted ROI analyses on installing hand dryers, solar panels and LED lighting at NJM’s West Trenton campus.
- Provided a detailed report on installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at NJM’s West Trenton location.
- Created infographics highlighting NJM’s current sustainability efforts, as well educational infographics designed to reduce employee waste and increase recycling.
About the Company
Prudential, PGIM’s parent Fortune 500 company, has subsidiaries that provide insurance, investment management and other financial products and services in over 30 other countries. Prudential Financial’s Global Investment Management (PGIM) has become the 9th largest institutional asset manager in the world with $1 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2016. We will be assisting PGIM Real Estate who manage $65 billion in assets.
Project Summary
PGIM Real Estate has asked its Green Team to help create a Sustainability Report Template that aligns with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting framework, identify opportunities to enhance its existing sustainability initiatives, and develop methods to engage property managers/employees in reducing waste. Their Green Team developed the following:
- Developed a GRI reporting for template, identifying “core” (non-industry specific) and real estate specific indicators that would allow PGIM to report to the GRI G4 Standards. The team also provided PGIM with information on how to test “materiality,” in order to help PGIM better identify reporting indicators in the future.
- Wrote a “Get Green Guide” – a 30+ page document identifying best practices in waste management and recycling.
- Designed posters and other infographics to be displayed at PGIM managed properties that educate employees on the best ways to reduce waste and increase recycling. (see below)
- Created a competitor analysis identifying sustainability best practice in the real estate sector and offering PGIM opportunities to expand upon its current sustainability initiatives.
PGIM Recycling and Composting Posters:
About the Company
Sabert Corporation designs, manufactures and distributes food packaging products such as plastic bowls, platters and trays, plates, cups, spoons, forks and containers. Sabert serves bakeries, caterers, convenience stores, food processors, non-commercial foodservice companies, restaurants/delis, supermarkets, food distributors and grocery stores across the United States
Project Summary
Sabert asked its Green Team to complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its 32 oz round pulp bowl in its Green Collection product line. As part of this assessment, the team analyzed the differences between bagasse sheets and bagasse slurry, the carbon footprint of the round pulp bowl’s supply chain—from its production in Asia to its storage in the United States, and the environmental impact of its disposal through recycling, composting and via landfill. The team also made recommendations on improving overall sustainability at Sabert.
At the end of the program, the Institute held an event for teams to share their individual results to all participating companies, as well as local/multi-national corporations and academic institutions.
Here’s what participating companies and students said about the Green Teams:
The team was well prepared, full of energy and ideas. They hit the ground running. It’s hard to believe so much was accomplished during the ten weeks of the program.
The PSEG program provided us with the first steps toward building a firm foundation for our next series of green sustainability initiatives.
I really enjoyed my time working at the PSEG ISS Green Teams program. This program helped me gain business connections,
improve team working skills, and interact with community members. It was an unforgettable experience that I recommend
to everyone.
Montclair State University is beginning to distant itself as being the leader for sustainability programs offered through [a] university in the state of New Jersey
For more information on how your company can participate in the PSEG ISS’ 2017 Green Team Program, please contact Amy Tuininga at tuiningaa@montclair.edu.