UTICA — The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority recently announced that Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. (Gaetano Construction) is the first construction company in Oneida and Herkimer counties to receive the authority’s RecycleOne Business Certification. “Gaetano Construction is being recognized for its commitment in taking extra steps to reduce our region’s waste stream through sustainable design […]
UTICA — The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority recently announced that Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. (Gaetano Construction) is the first construction company in Oneida and Herkimer counties to receive the authority’s RecycleOne Business Certification.
“Gaetano Construction is being recognized for its commitment in taking extra steps to reduce our region’s waste stream through sustainable design and construction. Gaetano Construction has also developed a comprehensive recycling, solid waste, and energy reduction program in accordance with the Authority’s RecycleOne Business Recycling Program Guidelines,” David Lupinski, director of recycling at the authority, said in a news release.
Gaetano Construction initiates, implements, and promotes sustainable design and construction at numerous construction sites, in addition to implementing waste reduction and recycling in its office, the release stated.
Gaetano’s sustainable efforts include:
- Forming an in-house Green Team.
- Encouraging the use of recyclable containers at the office and at job sites.
- Implementing energy-efficient policies and practices.
- Utilizing environmentally friendly products.
- Using ceramic coffee mugs in the office in lieu of disposables.
- Training employees, subcontractors, vendors and clients in sustainable practices, by providing them with practical tools and methods.
- Promoting sustainable practices through various media outlets.
- Enrolling project managers in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) educational and training programs geared toward professional accreditation as a LEED Green Associate.
- Purchasing and renting materials and equipment from local suppliers and vendors, when feasible, to minimize shipping distance and pollution.
- Creating and implementing a mandatory construction waste-management plan and an indoor air-quality plan at all construction projects.
“In order for the implementation of these steps to be successful and ultimately receive this recognition, it has taken a cooperative effort on behalf of all of our employees to focus their efforts on becoming a more environmentally conscious organization,” Rob Munson, project manager and LEED green associate for Gaetano Construction, said in the release.
“Charles A. Gaetano Construction is a leading example of a local company doing its part to implement and promote environmental sustainability across this country. They are well deserving of this certification,” Lupinski said.
The new RecycleOne Business Recycling Certification Program requires an on-site review from staff of the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority to verify that specific solid-waste management, recycling, and energy-reduction criteria have been achieved. If the criteria have been attained, the authority will issue the facility or business an official RecycleOne Business Certification.
For more information on the authority’s RecycleOne Business Recycling Program, contact David Lupinski, director of recycling, at (315) 733-1224, ext. 1600 or visit www.RecycleOneBusiness.com to download the RecycleOne Business Recycling Program Guide.