BUSINESS RECYCLER OF THE YEAR 2007 / 2008
Debbie Davis poses by some of her company’s material that is recycled (on right) and reused (on left).
- CD and DVD Manufacturing
- Custom Printing
- Duplication and Replication Services
Gilroy, CA 95020
408-847-7217
www.expressmediagraphics.com
Express Media Graphics is a full service CD/DVD production company providing the nations largest retailers with custom printed CD-R’s for their photo labs. No job is too big or too small.
Julie Alter of South Valley Disposal & Recycling interviewed Debbie and Mark Davis, the owners of Express Media Graphics. When she toured their facility, she noticed they have interior recycling collection containers that help them recycle cardboard, paper, and cans & bottles.
They give some of their unwanted, useable waste to RAFT. Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT) is a non-profit organization that supplies materials to teachers at a reduced price. Debbie found out about RAFT through her friends that are teachers. When Debbie visited RAFT she realized that Express Media Graphics had several kinds of waste that could be used by RAFT.
The following are some items that Express Media Graphics have donated to RAFT:
- Empty plastic CD spindle cases.
- Plain, unused paper (several colors that were used in packaging).
- Cardboard pieces (was used as packaging material).
- Blank, clear plastic CDs (before the metal and writing is on the CD).
- Old printers and computers.
Express Media Graphics also keeps small plastic white ring pieces that are shipped with some CDs. Debbie donates some of the rings to the local senior center so they can use them in crafts. She will donate the rest to RAFT.
Express Media Graphics receives large bags of Styrofoam packaging "peanuts" from a Gilroy company called Mission Control. Mission Control doesn’t need the packing material and Express Media Graphics can reuse it in their shipments. To cut down on mess and hopefully encourage reuse, Debbie takes the time to reuse small plastic bags they receive in their shipments , puts the recycled peanuts in the reused bags and uses these bags as packing material.
An example of how Express Media Graphics reduced waste for their customer...
Walmart requested that Express Media no longer ship their blank photo lab CD orders with plastic spindle cases. Each box of blank CDs contained 6 spindle cases. Express Media now shrink wraps the CDs, and ships them in smaller boxes to Walmart and sells the plastic spindle cases and the larger boxes they came in to an out of state company. Reusing is better than just recycling!
Debbie and Mark also recycle at home in Gilroy. They do simple things everyday to reduce their impact on our environment - like bringing a reusable coffee cup to the local coffee shops! They truly believe in recycling- at home and at work. They know it is important to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfills and to save energy and other natural resources.
Thank you Express Media Graphics! They don’t just recycle their waste, they reuse, donate, and reduce their waste too!
Click here to see who is the Residential Recycler of the Year!