Applied Materials presents their sustainability path at SBI's SBUG

Jan 22, 2010 8:15 AM ET

Blog by Megan Havrda, SVP, Be Green Packaging

The Sustainable Business Institute (SBI) of Silicon Valley hosted another Sustainable Business User Group (SBUG) on Wednesday, January 20th at Applied Materials in Santa Clara. Bruce S. Klafter, Applied Material’s Head of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, presented their sustainability path. Applied Materials is a publicly traded company, which experienced revenue over $5billion in FY2009 with their 12, 600 + employees operating in 15 countries worldwide.

Bruce made an excellent point regarding how ‘sustainability’ on a corporate level began with a risk avoidance focus (compliance, reduced process interruption) and has morphed today into focusing on not only risk avoidance but also: enhanced workforce, cost savings, production improvements, business model innovation, revenue opportunities. 
 
He also gave a nod to the importance of both top down, CEO involvement and buy in, when a company takes on a true sustainability mission, and bottom up commitments and action from staff. Both are essential to SUSTAIN sustainability systems, practices and behaviors. As someone present at the most recent Copenhagen talks, Bruce is hot the trail of carbon tracking and reduction – both direct and non-direct (i.e. business travel and supply chain) emissions of CO2. Bruce is convinced that their transparency, and of course data and improvements, has sent their third party ratings through the roof. Clearly, revealing environmental and CSR data can give companies more gains than losses in the public eye.
 
In attendance were several Silicon Valley professionals from companies such as HP, WEBCOR , and Becker Risk Management Group as well as the Founder of SBI, Jessica Fullmer, SBI Board Member Megan Havrda (also SVP Be Green Packaging) and SBI interns.
 
Everyone is invited to explore Applied Materials 2008 Citizen Report online at: www.appliedmaterials.com in the About/Corporate Social Responsibility section. 

About Be Green Packaging

Our Mission is simple.  Be Green Packaging’s designs, manufacturers, and distributes Cradle-to-Cradle™ certified, tree-free, compostable packaging for the food and industrial packaging industries.

Be Green Packaging, LLC was formed in 2007 based on the ideas of:

  • Manufacturing sustainable alternatives to standard plastic, foam, and paper food packaging

  • Distribution through existing distribution channels worldwide

  • Being price neutral to plastic and many other fiber products

  • Reducing landfill waste through composting practices and building healthy soils worldwide.

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