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BGI Green Team Efforts

Inside BGI

Refuse/Reduce/Recycle/Reuse/Reform

The 5R Concept
 
The 5R Concept, representing five environment-conscious words starting with the letter R, has been adopted as a keyword for environmental activities. The five environment-conscious words include the three R words (Recycle, Reduce, Reuse) for establishing a recycling-oriented society, and two additional words that are "Reform" and "Refuse".
 
Refuse:  Avoid purchase of environmentally burdensome materials whenever possible
Reduce:  Reduce waste material
Recycle:  Reuse materials as resources
Reuse:  Reuse waste material without processing
Reform:  Reuse materials in a different form
 
Recycle
  • Recycles cans, type 1 and 2 plastics, paper products, glass. 
  • Buys recycled office products - paper, cartridges, etc
  • Recycles batteries
  • Recycles inner tubes to Alchemy Goods for reuse
  • Recycles chains and freewheels (Resource Revival)
  • Recycles cardboards, shrinkwrap, office paper and regular paper at our warehouse. In 2016 we recycled 74.7 TONS!!
Reduce
  • BGI changed to LED BGI Fitness sign at BGI North to reduce energy usage
  • Primary communication is via email both within BGI and to outside parties and our customers saving printing costs and fuel costs involved with mailing of printed flyers
  • Run electronic reports rather than printing to save paper
Reuse
  • Reuses packing materials
  • Sends back old ink cartridges for re-filling
  • Reuses old bikes and parts through Shifting Gears program (more than 3000 bikes have been distributed through organizations to people who need bikes since August 2007)
  • Use recycled paper for notes
  • Reuse (recycle) solvents and shop rags
Reducing BGI's Carbon Footprint by Promoting Bicycle Commuting among BGI Employees - BGI Employees have biked 344,398 miles and 48.078 trips instead of driving from March 1, 2008 - December 31, 2021
(for more information, click HERE)
  • BGI is an employer member of Central Indiana Commuter Services, which provides incentives and promos to employees to encourage commuting to work by carpool, transit, bike or walking
  • Use of a bike lockers & shower room
  • Use of a shop bike for errands

Upcoming Events/Promotions:

Join Commuter Connect and help bolster bicycle commuting numbers in the Central Indiana Area as well as be eligible for Commuter Connect perks and promotions throughout the year. For more information contact Connie Schmucker, BGI Advocacy Director (cschmucker@bgindy.com) or sign up at Commuter Connect

Outside BGI

BGI is taking the lead in promoting bicycle commuting through the following organizations:

Shifting Gears - BGI accepts donations of used bikes on behalf of Volunteers of America through Shifting Gears program.  For more information on this program, click HERE.

BGI also saves trees and energy costs by using email as our primary communication with outside parties and our customers.