Washington Business Spring 2019 | Washington Business | Page 26

what’s working Leading Environmental Practices Award Inland Empire Paper Company of Spokane received the 2018 Leading Environmental Practices award. The company was founded in 1911 and over the years has earned a reputation as one of the most environmentally friendly paper makers in the world. Inland Empire is the sixth-largest paper recycler in the U.S. and has invested steadily in new technology to improve its production process. The company uses biomass waste to generate part of the energy demands of the facility. Much of its final products come from recycled materials. Overall, the company has reduced its carbon footprint by 30,000 tons and natural gas consumption by 500 million cubic feet per year. The other finalists for the Leading Environmental Practices award were Avista Corporation of Spokane and Renewable Energy Group in Grays Harbor. Achieve Award Pioneer Human Services earned the 2018 Achieve award, which recognizes strong education and workforce development systems to help close the employment gap. This Seattle-based nonprofit has served nearly 10,000 clients over the years. Pioneer helps people released from prison or jail and those in recovery with housing, job skills, substance-abuse treatment and more. These services help people successfully re-enter their communities, and lead healthy, productive lives. The other finalists for the Achieve award were Out of the Box Manufacturing in Renton and the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee, or AJAC. Connect Award RHD Enterprises of Tumwater received this year’s Connect award, which recognizes a business that has created positive connections between Washington employers and communities. The company specializes in building construction, design and fabrication and supporting workplaces and jobsites that are inclusive to all people. RHD partners with non-profit groups whose missions center on supporting women and marginalized communities, including The Little Red Schoolhouse, SafePlace’s “Speak Up, Speak Out” Gala, and the YWCA of Olympia. The other finalists for the Connect award were Carbitex of Kennewick and UPS, based in Seattle. Advance Award MOD Pizza of Bellevue received this year’s Advance award, which recognizes a company that has made a significant social impact in its sector or community. MOD Pizza is one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the country. Its greater mission focuses on creating living-wage jobs for people with challenges like criminal records, disabilities or addiction struggles. The company partners with WorkSource, FareStart, JUMA, Goodwill Industries, Best Buddies and others to support their workforce efforts. The other finalists for the Advance award were Omeros Corporation in Seattle and The McGregor Company based in Colfax. 26 association of washington business