Cagwin & Dorward Landscape Contractors

In Livermore / Union City: After the inspiring "Green Goals" (see below), developed by the EP group that Javier Murillo shared with us following Stillwater 2006, EP crews have focused on additional areas to improve efficiency and reduce their CO2 footprint.

EP reviewed it's LM routes and schedules. They focused on reducing service visit "overlaps" and better balanced work loads between Account Managers. Route schedules were formatted so crews would visit a given area only once per week. Account Managers could then focus on a smaller service area, maximizing fuel savings.

Although not possible in all areas, the work redistribution resulted in the equivalent dollar volume of one full crew's reassignment to an Account Manager who was operating at a lower dollar volume and was able to take on additional responsibilities. In doing so, the territory each manager had to cover was narrowed, reducing fuel use while maintaining service to the customers.

In bidding new work, the territory's Account Manager considers current route schedules at the beginning of the estimating process. Their familiarity with the areas help them focus on the travel and mobilization times necessary to deliver service. This early planning ensures the routes and crews are efficient in their travels, ultimately saving in both labor and fuel dollars.

Read the following for an update of Union City Yard's Green Goals:

Union City Yard's Green Goals - October 2006

Office

Turn off computers and printers when leaving for more than 10 minutes, at end of day and weekends - Now part of our daily routine
Turn off lights and radios when leaving yard - Now part of our daily routine
Turn-off AC/Heat at night and weekends - Now part of our daily routine
Have signage as reminder posted at alarm- Now part of our daily routine
Have AC/Heat unit serviced (contact Shop) and remember to change filters - In progress
Caulk windows and holes, weather strip spare door (Liz will have LI do) - Need $ budget for materials

Trucks - Review at Friday meetings every other week to help become ingrained in employees - All goals now part of our daily routine

Start truck after loading is complete; don't idle truck
Only warm up truck for a maximum of 5 minutes
Don't leave truck running for any reason when away from yard
Check for appropriate tire pressure weekly
Fill tires in yard with compressor rather than extra trip to a service station
Fill truck with Unleaded fuel only
Lighten the load; empty truck and trailer of unnecessary equipment and material
Don't leave jobsite for lunch or breaks

Equipment - All goals now part of our daily/weekly routine

Fill equipment when at gas station to fill gas cans and/or truck
Empty Premix can into equipment before refilling with gas and oil
Repairs to be made at UC Yard or vendor in UC instead of going to San Jose - Only major repairs shipped to San Jose
Turn lights off in containers at end of day

Fertilizer - All goals now part of our daily/weekly routine

Remove and store open bags of fertilizer so that moisture does not ruin contents
Do not carry in tuck except on day of application

Water Usage - All goals completed or done on an as needed/approved basis

Turn off water while washing truck
Turn off nursery sprinklers after ½ hour, watering only twice a week when stocked during warm weather
Upgrade nursery spray nozzles to MP-Rotators, purchase and install shut-off nozzles and hose hanger
Liz to bid for Polymers and order from Target
Recommend including polymers & bark in all plantings

Recycling - Now part of our daily routine

Put batteries and tires in mechanic's containers

Carpooling - Still happening with some people. Will encourage more participants with gift cards

Workers ride together, reward drivers with gift cards

SPARE-THE-AIR Days

Get agreements with customers for non-equipment usage on spare-the-air days, include in future contracts - Some customers are open to this; we need assistance from upper management to take this program company wide
Get AIR QUALITY BOARD recognition for sites and management companies - We would like training and assistance from the "GO Team"

Becoming Part of the Solution ... GO! Team:
Allison, Brooke, Dennis, Hannah, Khrysti & Robin Roman

GO! - 10% Reduction Suggestion - Livermore / Union City