Recognized for Eco-Friendly Practices
Being “green” isn’t always easy, but Southwire has taken great strides to streamline business practices to better the environment. As a result, the Keep Carroll Beautiful program of Carrollton, Georgia, honored Southwire with its annual Environmental Excellence award in December. The award recognizes Southwire’s overall commitment to the environment, its efforts to become a zero-landfill company and assistance with beautification projects in the community. “Keep Carroll Beautiful chose Southwire for the Environmental Excellence award because we know the company is committed to making sure Carroll County is not just a great community to be part of, but also a clean environment to live in,” said Jacqueline Dost, executive director of Keep Carroll Beautiful.
Programs like the semi-annual Electronics Recycling Day, a partnership with Keep Carroll Beautiful, demonstrate Southwire’s progress toward growing green. Last October’s event amassed over a staggering 31,000 pounds of electronics donated for recycling. “Southwire strives to be an environmental leader within the communities in which it operates, and we consider this award to be an indication of our efforts,” said Denise Quarles, the vice president of environmental affairs for Southwire. “However, we recognize that our work has only just begun, and our success to this point is only worthy if it can be sustained. Southwire gladly accepts the continuing challenge of reducing out environmental footprint even as we grow.”
In addition to efforts in Carroll County, Southwire maintains a positive force for sustainability across the nation. For example, the Long Beach Growing Green Committee beautified its local neighborhood through a clean-up event last March, and Southwire continues its ongoing efforts at the California customer service center with its hybrid delivery truck. “It’s been though the hard work of our employees that we have been able to steer Southwire towards a greener course,” said Quarles.
Citation: "Southwire Wins Keep Carroll Beautiful Award." Inside Southwire 5.1 (2010). Print.
Environmental Excellence award for 2008
On December 2, 2008 Keep Carroll Beautiful presented Steve Gradick and Duane Sohl with its Environmental Excellence award for 2008.
Gradick Communications has been instrumental in the creation of and support for “Green Minutes”. These 60 second radio spots feature a 10 sec intro and outro of a local sponsor as well as 40 seconds of environmental education. They were launched on Earth Day, 2008 and topics covered so far include Green power, the plastic island and recycling.
Duane Sohl, KCB Board Member and account executive for Gradick Communications created the concept for “Green Minutes” to continue the mission of Keep Carroll Beautiful: to engage the citizens of Carroll County in taking responsibility for improving our community environment. Green Minutes also serve as a fundraiser for Keep Carroll Beautiful.
“This award belongs not only to me, but also to the production staff and everyone else at Gradick Communications that makes programs like this successful” commented Steve Gradick upon receiving his award.
(Carrollton, Ga.– July 06, 2009) – The annual theme for the 2009 Community Vacation Bible School was “Discovery Canyon – Explore the Wonders of the World”. In the spirit of stewardship of the earth, the local charity designated as the recipient for the mission offering for the week was Keep Carroll Beautiful. Students who attended the classes, held over five days at Carrollton Presbyterian Church, were encouraged to bring supplies to help with the local “Adopt-A-Road program administered by Keep Carroll Beautiful. Cash offerings were also accepted. 
