EC DEP Commissioner Hersey, Curbell Inc.’s Mark Shriver honored for their work in building the WNYSBR

SBR increases implementation of sustainable business practices in Erie County

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Planning (“DEP”) Thomas Hersey, along with Curbell, Inc.’s Director of Safety and Environmental Affairs Mark Shriver, were honored recently as “Environmental Champions” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Region 2 for their work on the WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable (“SBR”). The SBR, a network of companies committed to developing and implementing sustainability goals that will create a more environmentally and economically resilient region, debuted on Earth Day 2014 with 30 businesses along with Erie County and the University at Buffalo; that number has since grown to 75 organizations that have signed a pledge to reduce waste and pollution, protect waterways, optimize use of energy and materials, and invest in our community.

“It is an honor to be recognized as an ‘Environmental Champion’ by EPA Region 2 for our work in protecting and enhancing environmental quality and public health. The SBR‘s message has been well-received and we continue to attract new businesses interested in being a part of a more sustainable region,” said DEP Commissioner Thomas Hersey. “We are glad to be a part of this successful public-private partnership, and could not do it without the support of leaders in the public sector and the business community.”

“This award is a testament to strong partnerships and the positive results they produce,” said Curbell, Inc.’s Mark Shriver. “The Sustainable Business Roundtable is a great example of business and government working together to strengthen our businesses and improve our environment. Without the vision and support of people like Curbell’s Tom Leone and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, none of this would have happened, and when you also have partners like the University at Buffalo and others great things happen in the community.”

Curbell, Inc. was also recognized earlier this year by Region 2 of the EPA as a Sustainable Materials Management Award winner for its performance in environmental responsibility and sustainability. Curbell was recognized as one of three top companies in Region 2 for its environmental practices under the agency’s WasteWise program. Participants in the program must demonstrate how they reduce waste, practice environmental stewardship and incorporate sustainable materials management into their waste-handling processes.

As a key component of the County Executive’s Initiatives for a Smart Economy , the WNY SBR is an organization that implements sustainable business practices to increase their economic viability and value to the community. The SBR’s work has resulted in an increase in investments in energy efficiency and weatherization projects and services and the organization continues to strive to create more energy-related jobs. In addition, Erie County’s participation in the WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable has been a technical resource and catalyst for the Erie County Green Team, which has identified cost-savings and energy efficiencies across all county buildings and departments.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz added, “More and more, the links between environmental responsibility and economic vitality are coming into clear focus and demonstrating that the two are not mutually exclusive but instead are complementary and intertwined. For both the public and private sectors, sustainable practices are essential to success and critical to responsible future growth. I thank Tom Hersey, Mark Shriver and Tom Leone at Curbell, and all the partners who have taken the pledge and joined the movement to assist in building a cleaner, more prosperous Erie County.”

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, visit http://www2.erie.gov/environment/

About Curbell, Inc.:

Headquartered in Orchard Park, N.Y. and celebrating its 75th year in business Curbell Inc. is a privately held company with an entrepreneurial spirit that guides two core businesses, Curbell Medical Products, Inc. and Curbell Plastics, Inc. The company’s focus on customer needs and strategy of investing for the long term has led the organization’s growth from a small machine shop in the 1940s, to one of the nation’s premier suppliers of performance plastic products and a leading medical device manufacturer.