Trenton, New Jersey based Trenton Corrugated Products (TCP) reported that it is taking its sustainability initiatives to the next level, literally: the company has installed solar panels on the expansive roof of its sheet plant.
According to an article that appeared on trentondaily.com, TCP President Ian Bernstein explained how sustainability is at the core of his company’s mission. “We’re in the packaging business and within packaging, corrugated is at the top of the heap. Compared to other types of permanently polluting packaging, it’s very sustainable,” he said. “I like to call our employees ‘green-collar’ workers, and in keeping with this theme of trying to do the right thing from a sustainability perspective, solar seemed to be the way to go.”
TCP is also in the process of installing chargers for employees with electric vehicles.
In discussing the process of going solar, Bernstein noted that the company he worked with, Moore Electric, gave TCP the opportunity to own their panels rather than lease them. “We own them and they made it very reasonable along the way,” said Bernstein. “With the solar panels on the building, we’re going to be covering about 80 to 85 percent of our electricity with the 850 panels installed on our roof.”
This installation was no small feat. It was, in fact, one of the most significant solar installations in the city of Trenton. “A fire inspector told us this was the largest installation that he’s had to inspect and approve, and we were excited to hear that. We’re bringing Trenton and New Jersey forward with the solar panels and putting in chargers. We’re happy to be able to do our part for the planet as well as provide cost-effective electricity to the company.”
When asked if he had any words of encouragement for other entrepreneurs or business owners considering going solar, Bernstein said. “I think it’s twofold. I think we all have an obligation. We all know climate change is out there. We need to do our part to make the planet more sustainable and more importantly, make our communities more sustainable. I think it’s an important sign that Trenton is moving forward. Changes that are going on in the world can be done right here.”
Visit www.trentoncorrugated.com for more information.
