Down to Earth - Litterally

July 21st, 2010:

As a component of Briggs & Stratton's Down to Earth commitment, Sustainability Week provides employees a week long opportunity to participate in numerous activities focused on improving the human carbon footprint. Nationwide, Briggs & Stratton employees have come together during this week to take part in park cleanups, tree planting ceremonies, eco-friendly workplace adjustments and a sustainability fair intended to increase environmental and volunteer awareness within the community.

At Briggs & Stratton headquarters in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, over 240 employees participated in this year's Green Space Park Cleanup. This year's location was at a local park that has suffered from the economic crisis, making routine maintenance extremely difficult for the number of diminished park staff. Thanks to the help of Briggs & Stratton employees, the local park was able to stay up-to-date with both park maintenance and beautification projects.

Other plants organized teams for the park cleanup. The Menomonee Falls Distribution Center organized an entire trash pickup team for the event. In addition to the team's cleanup efforts, they also filled three gaylords with athletic shoes which will be recycled thanks to Nike Reuse-a-Shoe (www.nikereuseashore.com). Nike takes each portion of the athletic shoe and uses it for items such as playground equipment. Similarly, employees at the Poplar Bluff plant in Missouri hosted a tree planting ceremony during their Sustainability Week. This past winter, the Poplar Bluff area suffered from a severe ice storm destroying on e of the trees near the plant. The damaged tree was replaced during this year's Sustainability Week in an effort to inspire future environmental initiatives.

Graphics Services in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin made changes within the workplace eventually leading to accreditation from three environmental agencies. Graphic Services removed harmful chemicals from its production as well as installed Energy Star compliant printers.

Lastly, a Sustainability Fair was held to educate employees about environmental and volunteer opportunities within the community. Additionally, in conjunction with Sustainability Week's theme, "Giving Back", numerous nonprofit organizations visited Briggs & Stratton's corporate headquarters to speak on the various volunteer opportunities in the Milwaukee and surrounding area. Among these organizations was the Wisconsin Humane Society and as a result, of their visit, two puppies were adopted by families that would be able to support their needs.

Sustainability Week has been growing since its inception in 2009. It is clear that no matter how employees, departments, or plants choose to participate in Briggs & Stratton's Sustainability Week, everyone is truly committed, upholding its Down to Earth Commitment. Briggs & Stratton hopes that through its employee's dedication and determination to help the environment, other organizations and individuals will be inspired to do the same.

Written By: Briggs & Stratton Power Pulse
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