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Jeff Baldassari
Taylor Chair Company

The Nominator: Maureen Brennan, Baker & Hostetler LLP

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?
Jeff has taken his company to a "zero waste to landfill" level.  He has inspired his employees to make this journey with him, has improved his bottom line and has clearly reduced waste going to landfills.  He has shared his story with business groups and has inspired others to start this journey themselves.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
He supported us with management when we asked our Firm to pursue the Green Certification from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association.  He has met with other clients to explain his success and offered to help them if they want to explore waste reduction.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
Jeff is clear that what waste reduction occurs is unique to each business.  Clearly a law firm does not have scrap leather to dispose of.  However, he also clearly describes the systematic way he looked at each of his waste streams to see what waste reductions were possible in each.  This systematic analysis of what waste a company generates is a model others can follow.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Jeff is now very involved in explaining how he achieved his "zero waste to landfill" goal and in encouraging others to find similar savings within their own companies.