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Aflac Introduces New Recylcing Program

Julie Bercik

Story Created: Nov 3, 2009 at 7:11 AM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2009 at 7:12 AM CDT

Lunch just got a little greener at Aflac's PSA Campus, but don't worry it's not the food, it’s what the food comes in Styrofoam containers.
“Styrofoam always has the reputation of being a non-recyclable, that's not true,” said Alfred Blackmar, Vice President, Facilities. “We have partnered with Dart, the manufacture of the Styrofoam that we use."
With 4,000 employees just in Columbus, waste adds up pretty fast. This machine here, is like a super trash compacter. It squeezes the air out of the Styrofoam
“ You need to crush, you need to bail it down, you need to somehow get it down,” said Mike Martinez, Dart Corporation.
Since Monday was the first day for the program, Dart wasn’t able to produce an end product. However, Martinez did bring a sample with him, a cylinder made from 2,000 Styrofoam cups.
The cylinder is then melted into tiny pellets, which are then sold to brokers for products.
“Things like CD casing, plastic lumber, rulers,” said Martinez.
Dart commends Aflac for being part of the program. It's one of the first in the southeast participating.
“Many companies aren't willing to do the time or the money or the difficulty it takes to recycle,” said Martinez.
"57 percent of the waste that comes into Aflac gets recycled,” said Blackmar.
A percentage that sits well with employees. They're actually the ones that asked for this program.
“For Aflac to take the time and money to do this is just phenomenal,” said an employee.
We're proud of saying at Aflac that we've got you under our wing, and the next time you look those feathers are going to be a little greener."