Bechtel Corporation has received an Office Depot Leadership in Greener Purchasing Award, recognizing the company’s efforts to incorporate sustainability into its procurement practices. Office Depot presents the award to customers who purchase greener products, which it believes is indicative of a company’s broader environmental program.
In 2010, Bechtel began collaborating with Office Depot as part of the company’s responsible procurement program, an effort to integrate environmental and social sustainability into Bechtel operations and its supply chain. The collaboration, which included the development of an internal system that makes it easier to purchase green products, has increased Bechtel’s procurement of green office supplies for operations in the United States.
“This collaboration is part of a broader effort at Bechtel to incorporate sustainability into everything we do—from our internal operations, to the way we deliver engineering, procurement, and construction solutions to our customers,” said Charlene Wheeless, Bechtel’s manager of corporate affairs and sustainability.
“Working with our suppliers is part of a strategic effort, focused on mutually beneficial initiatives that make good environmental sense and are just good business,” added David Hammerle, Bechtel’s manager of procurement who manages the company’s supply chain. “We are pleased with what we have been able to accomplish with Office Depot.”
As a global company, Bechtel is committed to environmental excellence at every level around the world as evidenced by a variety of company initiatives that range from incorporating green, functional, and community design concepts into engineering and construction, to educating employees about simple steps they can take to reduce their personal carbon footprint.