Simplex Industries custom-built modular homes come in just about any color imaginable, but each and every home is now proudly - Green. Green as in having been built using environmentally friendly methods and materials.

Simplex Industries kicked off their "Planet Friendly Homes" initiative with a company wide meeting to review what the Simplex Family is doing to help keep the planet green - and at the heart of the effort is recycling.

"We are proud of our recycling program here at Simplex," said company President Patrick Fricchione, Jr. "We believe Simplex has some of the most aggressive recycling efforts in our industry. We recycle along every square inch of our plant floor as well as in each and every office here at Simplex. Recycling is very much a part of the way we do business."

Simplex has a full-time recycling coordinator to oversee the effort. The coordinator's job is to ensure the plant collects every possible piece of material that can be recycled. Materials gathered by Simplex employees include, aluminum, drywall, vinyl siding, wood, cardboard, wire and even paint containers to name just a few.

Recycling paint containers is an example where Simplex has made great strides to reduce the amount of waste that makes its way to landfills. Paint is purchased in 330 gallon recyclable plastic totes rather than in cans or barrels. The totes can easily be moved around the plant to areas where they are needed. When empty, the paint totes are gathered and shipped back to the paint vendor to be refilled and used again.

Recycling bins are stationed at points throughout Simplex's two manufacturing plants just off Keyser Avenue in Scranton and all employees underwent training to identify and collect any material than can be recycled.

Recycling doesn't stop at the plant entrance however. Simplex office employees also recycle all paper, glass and aluminum products.

"Our recycling efforts took some time to develop and implement, but taking that time and going to the expense is the right thing to do," said company president Patrick Fricchione, Jr. "We want to make sure we are running an environmentally friendly prefab homes company not only for our employees, but for our customers and for all of our families as well."

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