2016 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award Winner: The Clarke Group

Abstract

Clarke is a global environmental products and services company. Clarke’s mission is to make communities around the world more livable, safe, and comfortable. They do this by pioneering, developing, and delivering environmentally responsible public health mosquito control and aquatic services to help prevent disease, control nuisances, and create healthy waterways.Clarke’s sustainability journey began in 2008 when J. Lyell Clarke, the company’s president and CEO, invited the entire company to envision a more purpose-driven organization. That invitation was a catalyst for the company’s first set of sustainability goals and the formation of organizational processes and structure specifically designed to embed sustainability into the company’s DNA. From 2014-2016, the company's sustainability projects yielded the following results: 150 metric tons CO2 equivalents reduced; 84% of waste recycled; 100 kw solar power installed; 3,717 hours in paid volunteer work by employees; $161,000 dollars awarded to non-profit organizations.