FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 4, 2017

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP Recognizes Northrop Grumman for
Outstanding Recycling Rate

~DEP's Recycling Recognition Program honors company for its 62-percent recycling rate~

From left to right: Rick Matthews, vice president and Center of Excellence leader; Jeff Prather, DEP Central District director; and Connor Kelley, engineer - environmental safety and lead, greeNG.

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognized Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems for achieving a recycling rate of 62 percent of its solid waste at its Melbourne facility. DEP Central District Director Jeff Prather presented Northrop Grumman the award, celebrating the company's commitment to environmental stewardship.

"I am pleased to recognize Northrop Grumman for their continued, outstanding recycling efforts," Prather said. "Incorporating sustainable practices into everyday operations preserves natural resources and helps Florida achieve its recycling goals."

With an internal goal to implement an average 70-percent diversion rate across the company by 2020, Northrop Grumman has introduced several environmentally friendly practices into business operations. In 2016, it completed construction of an energy-efficient, Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building, with two additional buildings currently in construction. Additionally, an on-site hazardous waste collection hub diverts items such as batteries and light bulbs from entering the waste stream, which are then processed and recycled. Northrop Grumman also routinely conducts detailed waste audits by analyzing waste streams at each site to identify new opportunities to reduce, reuse or recycle discarded materials. 

"Northrop Grumman prides itself on conserving natural resources and demonstrating environmental stewardship within Brevard County," said Melbourne greeNG Program Lead Connor Kelley. "Today’s recognition results from our commitment to sustainability recognizable via the implementation of new construction at the LEED Silver Standard level."

To help businesses increase recycling efficiency, the department has an easy tool to track recycling – the Florida DEP Business Recycling Tracking Tool. Through the website, companies can track various types of recycling and produce reports on how their efforts are helping to shrink their carbon footprint. The tracking tool helps the department identify companies that are making an effort to go green. 

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1870198