Aflac Saves Millions Annually “Sustainability is important to Aflac,” says Alfred Blackmar, vice


president of facilities. “As a large public corporation, we need to be a leader in many issues, including sustainability.” Te supple- mental insurance giant is recognized for its efforts by inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America list. It’s not just doing the right thing, however. Aflac has saved $4


million with just one of its initiatives. Their efforts are focused on two areas: energy conservation and


“We have done things that are practical, and payback in three years


recycling. Last year the company reduced energy consumption by seven percent in their multiple Columbus facilities. That trans- lated to a $363,000 savings in 2011. Since Aflac began its sustainability efforts five years


ago,


or less is our standard.” -Alfred Blackmar


it has reduced


energy consumption by over 40 percent, which Blackmar says translates to about $4 million in energy savings.


He points out that it dwarfs the cost of the original investment in such things as automated controls for lighting, heating and cool- ing systems and converting to LED lighting. “We have done things that are practical, and payback in three


years or less is our standard,” Blackmar explains. In the area of recycling, the company’s goal at the end of 2012


was to recycle at least 70 percent of the waste stream. They beat that by four percent, recycling everything from paper to food


One of Aflac’s parking lots after they installed LED lighting. Not only does it save power, it improves the safety for employees walking to their cars after dark.


products. Efforts to conserve paper began years ago when Aflac pioneered electronic applications. Teir Smart App allows submission of applications electronically and agents are encouraged to get applicants to get their policy electronically. Te paper reduction initiatives have saved about 40 million sheets per year. Of the paper used, over one million pounds is recycled. That’s not all that is turned back into useful products. Leftover


16


Columbus and the Valley


April 2013


photo courtesy Aflac


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