GrassRoots Employee Resource Group Leads Recycling Efforts During Remodel

Our GrassRoots Employee Resource Group plays an important role in leading environmental sustainability improvements across nVent. In collaboration with facility leadership, GrassRoots members around the globe bring fresh perspectives and new ideas that help nVent operate more sustainably.  

One of the ways GrassRoots has helped nVent become more environmentally friendly is through promoting recycling efforts. Recently, GrassRoots employees at nVent’s Electrical and Fastening Solutions (EFS) site in Solon, Ohio demonstrated dedication and creative thinking during a remodel of one of the office locations at the facility. 

With one of nVent’s office sites undergoing a major remodel, a group of GrassRoots employees took it upon themselves to help reduce the amount of waste generated by the project. During the initial stages of the remodeling project, the employees brought forward the idea of reusing obsolete office equipment rather than discarding it. These ideas quickly turned into larger-scale discussions on how the site could improve and reduce their waste stream throughout the remodeling process. 

The team set up donation boxes with signage throughout the office and worked with the team leading the remodel to prevent at least a full dumpster-load of office equipment from going to the landfill. These efforts were not only beneficial from a sustainability standpoint, but employees were also able to take home free office equipment that would have otherwise been discarded. 

By setting up promotional flyers around the office encouraging employees to take equipment home, the team was able to reuse approximately 50 metal file cabinets, 50-75 chairs, 25 whiteboards and 10 wooden desks. The remaining supplies unclaimed by employees, including approximately 1,000 hanging files, over 100 3-ringed binders and many file folders, were donated to different community organizations who had a need for them. 

This reduction of waste is not a one-time event. Through the efforts of Solon GrassRoots employees, the EFS segment has developed a waste-reducing framework for all future nVent remodeling jobs to admire and learn from. This approach is currently being followed during the remodel of another nVent EFS site in Solon.