Environmental Sustainability as a Business Practice
The Wagner Companies has actively been working toward implementing more green business practices since 2004, when we first participated in the State’s Focus on Energy program. As a result, we have upgraded to more energy-efficient lighting; and hot-water boiler and air compressor systems. We also offer products and components that qualify for LEED credits.
“As a fourth-generation, family-operated organization, tracing its roots in metalworking in Milwaukee to 1850, R & B Wagner understands that sustainability is a never-ending journey. The Wagner family has both the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a better environment for future generations. We strive to create a positive culture by researching and implementing ways to utilize resources more efficiently, developing innovative products which are environmentally friendly and encouraging suppliers, surrounding communities and institutions to practice environmental sustainability.”
– Bob Wagner, CEO
Wagner’s Accomplishments in Sustainability:
1
We diverted 100% of our wood waste from going into a landfill. Previously disposing of it in a dumpster, which lead to an inefficient use of space and expensive hauling fees, we now recycle it through a company called JMB Logistics. The recycled wood is now used to make mulch and animal bedding, or it can even be picked up by local consumers, free of charge.
2
We eliminated our foam packaging system and switched to an air pouch system. We now use a lot less material in our packaging processes. The pouches are made from 95% pre-consumer recycled content and can be recycled at any retail grocery store. This switch saved us money while also reducing material in landfills by 912 cubic-feet annually.
3
On the outside of our building, we replaced all metal halide and high-pressure sodium lights with LED’s, reducing our energy consumption by 27,725 kilowatt hours annually. This simple switch decreased air pollution and environmental damage of carbon dioxide by 41,588 pounds, sulfur dioxide by 69,314 grams and nitrogen oxides by 160,807 grams. Removing those quantities of pollutants has the same effect on the environment as planting 5 acres of trees!
Look for our new green logo that denotes when materials may qualify for LEED credits.
Environmental Sustainability Statement
R&B Wagner was recently designated Green Professional status in the Green Masters Program – an assessment and recognition program for Wisconsin businesses interested in improving their sustainability performance and benchmarking their performance to compare against others in the same industry. The Green Masters Program has defined “sustainability” through nine key areas and all participants need to have taken at least one action in each of the ten areas. R&B Wagner has taken this survey and identified our strengths while generating ideas for additional actions. In this way, the Green Masters Program is a program of continuous improvement.