November 21, 2008

STATE RECOGNIZES MILLIPORE CORPORATION AND SEAPORT HOTEL
FOR LEADERSHIP IN WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recently presented Millipore Corporation and the Seaport Hotel with WasteWise Leadership Awards in recognition of the companies' efforts to promote waste prevention, recycling and environmental stewardship.  
     
"These two businesses have made environmental stewardship a fundamental aspect of their operations," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt about the awards that were presented on November 13, 2008 at one of the semi-annual WasteWise regional forums.  "Both Millipore and the Seaport Hotel have demonstrated a commitment to protecting our environment through innovative programs to reduce waste while providing their customers with quality services".

Since joining the WasteWise program as a founding member in 1994, Millipore Corporation has been actively reducing, reusing and recycling materials from its waste stream.  Headquartered in Billerica, Millipore, a Life Science leader providing technologies, tools, and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, is an S&P 500 company with 6,000 employees in 47 countries worldwide.  Through its corporate sustainability program, Millipore identified improvements in its manufacturing process that decreased the amount of waste generated and saved approximately $200,000 annually in disposal costs.  The company also instituted a plastic regrinding program from injection molding operations and is able to sell the plastic to other companies.  By implementing this one program, Millipore realized $26,000 in reduced disposal costs and $28,000 in additional revenue. 

Millipore also participates in the EPA Climate Leaders Program, and recently set a greenhouse gas reduction target of 20 percent by 2011. For these efforts, Millipore was presented with the "Partner of the Year" award.  For more information on Millipore's sustainability and environmental programs:  http://www.millipore.com/sustainability/eco3/home    
 
The Seaport Hotel, located along Boston's historic waterfront, was presented with the "Leader in Innovation" award for its comprehensive environmental programs.  Since launching the "Seaport Saves" program in 2005, an initiative set to increase conservation and recycling throughout all aspects of the hotel, the program has been a resounding success, benefitting the hotel's bottom line, guest experience and most importantly, the environment.  Some of the Seaport's core environmental initiatives focus on its 426 guest rooms which include in-room recycling, occupancy sensor and temperature controls.  In addition, the hotel uses cleaning fluids produced by an electrolyzed water system and launders with ozone treatment leading to reductions in wash cycles, chemical use and electricity. 

The Seaport also provides guests with complimentary bicycles; offers green wedding packages, diverts food waste, purchases locally grown produce and has a green roof.  For more information on the Seaport Saves program: http://www.seaportboston.com/eco-friendly.aspx

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MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.