PECI Ranks as Top 100 Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon

Portland-based energy efficiency solutions company recognized for third year in a row.

PECI, a leader in the field of energy efficiency solutions, was recognized as one of the 100 Best Green Companies to Work For in Oregon by Oregon Business Magazine.

PECI ranked 22nd on this year’s list, marking the second year in a row that the company has placed in the top 25. PECI is one of the few companies that has appeared on the list for all three years the project has been in existence.

“As an energy efficiency solutions company, PECI’s commitment to promoting sustainability runs deeper than our service offerings,” said PECI Executive Director Phil Welker. “We take our sustainability initiatives to heart and embrace the role as a model of a successful green company for other Oregon businesses.”

Oregon Business Magazine’s list honors businesses in the state that incorporate sustainable practices into their business strategy and operations. Businesses were ranked based off of results from two anonymous employee surveys that gauge workers’ satisfaction with their company with an emphasis on the company’s sustainable practices. Nearly 19,000 employees participated from the 415 companies and non-profits that took part in the project.

As part of its sustainability initiatives, PECI employees have organized a volunteer-based group called Green@PECI that works to integrate sustainable practices into PECI’s internal operations and business practices. “Our Green@PECI team has been championing our sustainability practices and deserves credit for spearheading the development, implementation and continual improvement of these initiatives,” said Welker. The group strives to promote environmentally and socially responsible activities within the PECI community as well as raise employee consciousness about the environment, social responsibility and sustainable lifestyle and workplace choices.

A sampling of past Green@PECI initiatives includes:

• Conducted waste audit to establish a baseline of how much waste the company produced and how much was diverted from landfills through the company’s recycling and composting programs.
• Worked with human resources to establish a transportation benefit for bicycle commuters.
• Created a “Green Card” that is distributed to each new PECI employee to educate them on the company’s sustainable office practices and how they can participate and support these practices.
• Established a green cleaning product policy to ensure that the company was only using cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals.
• Organized a series of events in support of Portland’s Community Energy Project, including weatherizing a low-income housing facility in NE Portland.
• Organized a tour of Bull Run watershed for PECI employees.