ZEISS Innovation Center California Wins Local StopWaste Award
ZEISS, the leading global optics and optoelectronics technology company, received the StopWaste Award for its ZEISS Innovation Center in Dublin, California. The StopWaste Award recognizes Alameda County organizations for their efforts in upstream waste prevention through reuse, recycling, and composting. Furthermore, the program honors continuous efforts to improve environmental performance and business efficiency.
Just over a year ago, in March 2021, ZEISS opened the newly constructed ZEISS Innovation Center California that houses customer experience and demonstration centers showcasing recent ZEISS innovations, as well as research laboratories, service and production facilities. The Center also serves as US headquarters for the ZEISS Medical Technology segment that develops and distributes cutting-edge solutions for ophthalmology and microsurgery worldwide. Also based at the Center are the strategic business unit Research Microscopy Solutions with the ZEISS Microscopy Customer Center and the X-Ray Microscopy business as well as the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment.
The high-tech building, accommodating approximately 800 workspaces, meets the highest green energy and sustainability standards. The facility is powered by solar energy, supported by a use-based light and air controls and a heat recovery system. The outdoor irrigation system only uses recycled water.
“ZEISS is deeply committed to its sustainability goals. We are honored to receive the StopWaste Award and would like to thank Alameda County for recognizing and appreciating our efforts towards more sustainability at work,” said Maryam Asi, Environmental Health and Safety Manager at the ZEISS Innovation Center California. “This distinction shall motivate us to push even further and try to leave as minimal of a waste footprint as possible, becoming a community leader for green and conscious business efficiency,” added Ian Bauer, Environmental Health and Safety Manager at the ZEISS Innovation Center California.
The Environmental Health and Safety team has created a dedicated waste management program at the ZEISS Innovation Center to ensure correct waste separation. Continuous webinars and training programs help employees understand the aim of the program and teach how to actively reduce waste while at work. Furthermore, paper cups have been replaced by ceramic mugs for a less-waste coffee break. The hazardous waste management program has been streamlined in order to have scheduled pickups only four times a year. This minimizes the vehicular carbon footprint. In addition, throughout the year dedicated household hazardous waste days for ZEISS employees are organized where they can bring in non-standard waste and sensitive documents to be shredded and disposed.
On the property of the ZEISS Innovation Center California sits a wetland that is home to a few unique species of bacteria that only exist here. This wetland along with special bioretention areas is actively protected and maintained.
ZEISS has set up a constant process of evaluation and re-evaluation of all environmental and safety programs on site, aiming to refine methods and learn every day.
ZEISS Innovation Center California
ZEISS wins local StopWaste Award