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Enzo Maddalena
ServiceMaster by AmeriSteam

The Nominator: Brooke Cowdin, ServiceMaster by AmeriSteam

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization and what are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
Enzo Maddalena is co-owner of ServiceMaster by AmeriSteam, a disaster restoration company. Enzo has implemented a recycling program that is seamless to our clients. All debris previously deemed as “waste” coming out of a disaster situation, such as drywall, ceiling tiles, plastic, furniture, carpet and metals, now comes back to our warehouse rather than being sent to a landfill in a dumpster. All of this is then identified and sorted for recycling. Enzo discovered that carpet doesn’t have as many outlets as other recyclables, so, he began a carpet reclamation program, hired someone to do research for it, joined the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) organization and partnered with carpet mills and plastics manufacturers across the country. ServiceMaster by AmeriSteam has reduced its landfill contribution by 117,000 tons in one year! The triple bottom line is affected in many ways by this. The company has saved nearly $80,000 in dumpster fees over the last year. The staff here at ServiceMaster have began to rethink how to “throw something away”, something that carries over into their personal lives as well. The reduction in waste to the landfill helps to reduce gases that contribute to global warming, saves land for more productive ventures and helps to keep poisons from leeching into our fresh water supply.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Enzo participates actively in the sustainability community on a local and national level. Locally he has been involved with E4S, attending many of the events and workshops and nationally he recently attended a CARE conference to network with other entrepreneurs in the carpet reclamation industry. CARE holds conferences twice a year and monthly conference calls in which Enzo actively participates in sharing his knowledge with others and learning new things from fellow entrepreneurs. Enzo also is an active member of ServiceMaster’s Sustainability Advisory group and is helping to bring the recycling and carpet reclamation concept to all of the ServiceMaster franchisees.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
His passion for sustainability has not only trickled down to our business practices, but has inspired some of us on a personal level to do what is right at home as well. He has broadened our horizons in the office and amongst our technical staff, instructing all of us not only on the how of sustainability – identifying, sorting, reducing use, etc – but the why too. There has also been a shift in how the sales staff sells ServiceMaster. We’re now proud to say we’re the only disaster restoration company in Northeast Ohio to have taken on this initiative.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
The success of Enzo’s program implementation can be translated across many different industries but especially by other companies within our industry. Just imagine if every disaster restoration company in the country started sorting what used to go to a landfill. Enzo Maddalena has set an example that others can follow: Rethink how “waste” goes “away”. Find solutions where there aren’t any, such as with the problem of carpet recycling and change the way those around you think about it too.