Sustainability

Employees Making a Difference

Not only is our company trying to become more environmentally responsible, but so are our associates. Many Universal Companies employees have adopted lifestyles dedicated planetary health and personal wellbeing.

Ray Gravitte, Purchasing Agent, and his Toyota
Prius, a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle)

Besides driving an über-snazzy Prius, Ray Gravitte has a few other earth-friendly measures that he's initiating at home. He's in the process of converting all of his light fixtures to compact fluorescent bulbs, recycling cardboard and plastic, and he uses his bicycle for quick errands. Furthermore, Ray brings sustainability to his dinner table by supporting local agriculture and buys organic products when they're available.

Shawna Knickerbocker, Sales Associate, picking
tomatoes from her large garden.

Shawna holds annual harvesting parties at her home, inviting friends and family to pick fresh herbs and vegetables. Moreover, in order to conserve water, Shawna uses rain barrels for her garden. She and her husband also make homegrown baby food for their infant daughter, Amelia. Lastly, Shawna makes sure that baby Amelia's tiny footprint (at least her carbon one) remains tiny - Amelia wears flushable, compostable gDiapers®.

Lisa Sykes, Sustainability Specialist, preparing
a vegetarian meal with her son, Noah.

Lisa Sykes is an organic gardener and vegetarian cook. Her latest projects are xeriscaping her yard, dabbling into grant writing for local environmental projects, and volunteering as a Senior Script Writer for Citymeals-on-Wheels. Lisa's favorite cause is to support local wildlife rehabilitators since they do not receive state or federal funding for their compassionate efforts.

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