Frequently Asked Questions
BPS is open to companies and public and private entities of all sizes in south Alabama andalong the Florida and Mississippi Gulf Coasts. Our member companies vary in industry,number of employees, and annual revenue. In fact, the opportunity to identify unexpectedsynergies is expanded with greater company diversity.
Absolutely! Synergies are more than waste and re-purposed by-product. Since program inception, our members have worked to identify opportunities to share resources liketransportation, improve energy e!ciencies, share best practices, and transform waste inways that have created significant economic and environmental value. They also look foralternative fuels, water conservation, and real estate opportunities. The BPS process breaksdown the customary barriers to cross-industry communication, as well as the barriersbetween government and industry and between small and large companies.
No, that’s the beauty. Our members have estimated their time commitment was 20 hours or less over the first year. The program is very structured, following a proven process developed by the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development to ensure efficient use of your time. Plus we offer flexible options for membership.
Collecting and analyzing the right data is critical. Our Technical Team is lead by Dr. JohnSteadman, the Dean of Engineering at USA. Along with several other professors, Steadmanleads our engineering and environmental experts in analyzing the company data, as well as collecting and interpreting the economic and environmental metrics resulting fromimplemented synergies.
Yes – all meetings are secure and structured, enabling companies to reveal as much or as little data about their processes, feedstocks, and by- or co-products. Confidentiality agreements are required for participation and non-disclosure agreements are signed at every meeting. All public disclosures of results are anonymous and are agreed to in advance by participating companies.FACT: Examples of potential reuse materials are diverse – construction debris,wooden pallets, metal drums, cardboard, plastic, restaurant grease, and of course chemical by-products.
FACT:
It can take just one synergy for a company to more than justify the time and money invested in the program.
FACT:
Due to the program’s successes, BPS won the EPA’s 2011 Gulf Guardian Award.
FACT:
Mobile is one of only 7 communities in the U.S. who is formally seeking synergies and reducing waste. We’re the first along the Gulf Coast AND the first community of our size todo so.
FACT:
Synergies are not limited to material flows but can include energy, transportation services and best practices.