Across Boston Scientific, groups of employees are forming local Green Teams in order to work together to reduce the impact on the environment at the office and within their local communities. Here are a few of the initiatives of some of Boston Scientific’s local Green Teams:

Dorado Green Team

The Dorado, Puerto Rico Green Team was formed by a group of volunteers consisting of Boston Scientific employees and family members. Wanting to make a difference in the environment, they conducted an Earth Day beach cleanup project in April 2009. The project proved to be an enjoyable day for the participants, and helped protect area sea life from trash and debris which had accumulated on an area beach.

Fremont Green Team

The Fremont, California Green Team has been involved in projects both within and outside of Boston Scientific to reduce environmental impacts and improve environmental quality. Within Boston Scientific, the team has sponsored a composting program to prevent wastes from being sent to landfill by directing them to reuse facilities and has implemented novel recycling programs for several waste streams. The team has also held Earth Day programs to help educate other Boston Scientific employees about the environment and ways to reduce environmental impacts at home and work.

Within the community, the Fremont Green Team has also helped sponsor a public Earth Day, sharing their knowledge of practical steps that can be taken to better care for the earth.

As a result of their efforts, the Boston Scientific Fremont facility has been recognized by the City of Fremont as the largest business composter in the city.

Maple Grove Green Team

The Maple Grove, Minnesota Green Team has fostered their environmental program through an annual comprehensive Earth Week Program. In 2009, events occurred each day of the week, featuring topics that ranged from energy conservation to recycling to sustainability.

One of the major events included a waste electronics recycling day, during which Boston Scientific’s Maple Grove employees were encouraged to bring their old or waste electronics to the facility, where they were collected for recycling at no charge to the employee. In 2009, more than 15,000 pounds of scrap electrical devices were collected, diverting this material from landfill disposal by recycling it.

Miami Green Team

The Miami, Florida Green Team was formed by a group of Boston Scientific employees who decided they wanted to make a contribution to the environment. People from across the facility joined the team, representing the broad interest in environmental quality at this location. During a recent project, the Miami Green Team joined over 8,500 other volunteers in cleaning up Biscayne Bay. By participating in the 27th Baynanza Day event, they played a role in the collection and removal of over 20,000 bags of trash from the bay, helping to protect the health and beauty of the Biscayne Bay ecological system.

Natick Green Team

The Natick, Massachusetts Green Team has sponsored several programs on the Boston Scientific Headquarters facility to raise employee awareness of environmental issues, and to engage employees in making an environmental difference. In 2009, a recycling awareness campaign was held to educate employees about the importance of recycling, both at work and at home. As a result of this campaign, campus-wide recycling rates have more than tripled as compared to 2008, and more ideas continue to emerge to divert materials from landfill and instead be reused.

The Natick Green Team also challenged Boston Scientific employees to recycle items from home, providing benefits to both the community and the environment. Employees were asked to bring used clothing that was in good condition to the office, where it was collected and donated to the Salvation Army, which distributed it to families in need. In addition, old cellular phones were collected and donated to Hopeline, a non-profit group supporting victims of domestic abuse.

San Jose Green Team

The San Jose, California Green Team has been educating Boston Scientific employees about the benefits of recycling, waste minimization, and composting. The team has also been working with the site management team to incorporate green practices into daily operations. One particular area of focus for the team has been the on-site cafeteria service provider, which was recently recognized as a Bay Area Green Business.

St. Paul Green Team

The St. Paul, Minnesota Green Team is comprised of Boston Scientific employees who share a passion for improving the environment. Members of the team believe that individuals are accountable for their actions and that by collectively making responsible ecological decisions we can minimize our impact on the planet. The St. Paul Green Team sponsors local environmental initiatives in the St. Paul, Minnesota area, such as Plastic Bag Recycling Day, the Adopt-A-River program to restore Pigs Eye Island, efforts to clean up Battle Creek Park, and Earth Day programs.