ATLANTA, GA - Getting by with a little help from your friends is more than just a classic Beatles lyric; it’s an essential part of how our industry does business. Partnerships between companies are critical to ensuring progress, and we see this in the latest news from Cox Enterprises. Sodexo, a long-time partner of the company, was happy to announce its contributions in helping Cox Enterprises earn the distinction of a Zero Waste Business by Zero Waste USA.

“We are extremely proud of reaching our Zero Waste goal, which is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” commented Meredith Lindvall, Assistant Vice President of Waste, Water, and Nature-Biodiversity, Cox Enterprises. “Together with the support and expertise of our valued partner Sodexo, we have shown that it is possible to stay focused on a long-term sustainability goal that creates positive impact for our business, our communities and our planet.”

According to a press release, Cox Enterprises' steadfast 24-year partnership with Sodexo has played a pivotal role in this achievement, contributing to an impressive 92 percent waste diversion rate at Cox Enterprises’ corporate headquarters. Alongside Cox, Sodexo implemented a comprehensive four-part strategy to achieve Zero Waste, focusing on effective personnel training, efficient waste management, food recovery processes and partnerships, and packaging optimizations.

This outcome was a key part of Cox’s enterprise strategy. As a release noted, Cox has diverted over 750 million pounds of waste, equivalent to 10 million reams of paper, 60 million apples, and metal from more than 4,000 vehicles since 2013.

“Sodexo and Cox Enterprises share a common vision of leveraging innovative solutions to meet sustainability goals and set a precedent for other organizations aiming to improve their corporate social responsibility achievements,” said Renee McKeon, Vice President of Sustainability and CSR, Corporate Services, Sodexo US. “Through partnership with our clients and communities and a commitment to adjusting our operations in ways that drive meaningful change, it is possible to reach these ambitious goals and certifications. We are proud to be a part of this journey.”

We’ll keep an eye on how industry partners are innovating within the sector, so stay tuned!