Roll-off trailer manufacturer BENLEE says it is doubling down on its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
Recent examples include an investment in solar arrays, recent pay raises and the company’s efforts to promote change in Washington DC.
“The world is undergoing major challenges, including climate change, health, economic downturn and of course equality for all,” said Greg Brown, president and CEO of BENLEE. “Despite much of the US economy slowing for the past 18-plus months, and especially in the past four months due to COVID-19, BENLEE remains committed to ESG, led by a recent $500,000 investment in two large solar arrays/roofing, by POWERHOME SOLAR, to offset power purchased from DTE, used in manufacturing, engineering and office areas.
“The company has also raised its minimum wage to $15/hour for all entry-level associates and implemented a monthly bonus structure for every employee. This bonus can pay up to yet another approximately $1.25/hour, so new entry level people can earn over $16/hour depending on the company’s performance. With a critical emphasis on safety, especially in these times of COVID-19, the diverse senior management team, meets daily to discuss key business issues. The meeting starts with a discussion of safety protocols to protect its associates and its customers, who mainly use their products in the recycling industry, a key part of ESG.”
While the company says it remains committed to making its trailers and trucks as safe as possible, it also is specifying SmartWay tires as standard on all its trailers, helping reduce NOx emissions and fuel use by up to 3%, per EPA data. Also, BENLEE promotes PSI’s auto tire inflation systems that help maintain optimum tire pressure, reducing fuel use and increasing tire life, further decreasing the carbon footprint of its vehicles.
BENLEE also is active in working with elected officials in Washington DC from New York and Michigan to promote policies that grow the economy faster, while still protecting people and the environment, the company said. Investments are needed at the federal level to support and rebuild the economy due to COVID-19, and long-term investments are needed in education, research and development, and Infrastructure to support faster economic growth and efficiency.
“Faster growth and investments are needed along with responsible spending and eventually raising revenue, to stabilize the US federal deficit that is $26.3 trillion and growing, due to years of slow growth, out of control spending and now COVID-19,” Brown said. “The US is great and we would be greater together, if together we all live and breathe the principles of ESG, leading to a greater planet, greater economy and greater social justice for all.”