Innovative Florida Company Powers Headquarters with Solar Energy

Waste Pro Continues Its Commitment to “Blue Sky-Green Earth” policies

It was no fluke that Mother Nature was shining down when Florida's largest independent trash hauler, Waste Pro Inc., recently dedicated its quarter-million-dollar rooftop solar power plant at its Sarasota-Bradenton facility, with an event that attracted key legislators and other community leaders. As a result, the midday sun powered most of Waste Pro's building operations as the firm welcomed lawmakers, business leaders and environmentalists for a show-and-tell of its "green" initiative.

Company officials say it is the first trash-hauling company in Florida to power its offices with solar energy. Company officials say their $230,000 investment into the latest solar technology that covers 5,000 square feet of their roof will pay for itself within two years.

State Sen. Mike Bennett praised the company's initiative and challenged other businesses to explore renewable energy sources. "We need businesses saying 'We'll pay our share,' and that's what Waste Pro is doing." Bennett also said he would look at ways to amend the state tax code to encourage business owners to invest in greener technology.

“We’re not your usual ‘trash’ company,” says Keith Banasiak, Regional Vice President of Waste Pro. “We’ve made a concerted effort to make a positive impact on the community, and a solar-powered building is one of our initiatives in the Sarasota-Manatee area.”

EcoTechnologies Inc. of Sarasota designed and installed Waste Pro's system. The 25 kilowatt power plant can generate 120 kilowatts of electricity a day, enough to meet most of Waste Pro's usage for its lights, computers, air-conditioning system and other power demands. Surplus energy production on days of low consumption will be routed to Florida Power & Light for an energy credit. Within the first two weeks, the system reduced the company's carbon dioxide emissions from conventional energy sources by nearly 7000 pounds.

Banasiak said corporate executives endorsed his idea to pioneer the solar project at his building just east of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. "We'll be looking at other initiatives, whatever they may be.  I'm not afraid to take the next step," he added.

EcoTechnologies will be evaluating Waste Pro's other operations for energy-saving improvements or other environmentally friendly practices.  Waste Pro is presently working to have the solar-powered building itself certified as ‘green’ and the company has already implemented a “Blue Sky-Green Earth” policy with other initiatives for ‘green’ management. For example, it is one of the first garbage companies in the country to use hybrid waste hauling trucks. Waste Pro trucks also include an advanced oil purification system that cuts oil changes to save oil and reduce the firm’s carbon footprint.

Waste Pro USA, Inc. (Waste Pro) is a Florida corporation headquartered in Longwood, Florida. The company offers services in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Mississippi. through city and county, military and federal government contracts, providing solid waste and recycling services to more than 800,000 residences and 32,000 businesses. 

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