For JLG Industries, an Oshkosh Corporation company, protecting the environment is a core value. Through a corporate environmental protection policy, JLG established goals to reduce waste and emissions, minimize adverse environmental impacts, and promote resource conservation in all manufacturing facilities. To meet these goals, JLG tracks waste metrics throughout the facilities which in turn led to the pursuit of TRUE certification. By starting the process, we came to realize how much material we did recycle, reuse, and upcycle. We also discovered what more we can do to increase our recycling efforts throughout our facilities.
JLG leadership adopted a zero-waste policy with the goal of reaching 90 percent of waste diverted from the landfill. As part of the People First culture, JLG promotes sustainability and employee participation in environmental initiatives. Team Members have been involved in waste stream analysis, the annual e-waste recycling event, and Earth Day activities.
The JLG team established best management practices that promote zero waste in the facilities, including:
• Shredding wood pallets and crates to maximize space in rolloff containers; sending these rolloffs to become mulch and animal bedding
• Upcycling and creating new tools and supplies to help improve the manufacturing process within Sunnyside and other facilities
• Placing standardized labels on all recycling and trash collection containers
By tracking the waste and costs, we calculated how much money we were spending on waste disposal and the rebates back from properly recycling items. Team Members were asked to help identify waste streams and label collection bins. We ask current and newly hired Team Members in training for new sets of eyes and ideas to better improve our recycling and diversion efforts.
Every April, Oshkosh Corporation celebrates "Good2Give Back" month. This is a month Oshkosh Corporation has asked team members to volunteer time to help in their communities. This includes road cleanup, working in soup kitchens and animal rescues. Oshkosh Team Members have volunteered for over 22,000 hours globally contributing to our local communities.
For the tenth consecutive year, Oshkosh Corporation was named a “2025 World's Most Ethical Company” by the Ethisphere Institute demonstrating their commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices. In addition to being named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, Oshkosh Corporation has been named to Fortune’s List of World’s Most Admired Companies 2025 and has been listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for six consecutive years.
"It has been a great accomplishment for JLG Industries to earn a 3rd TRUE certification, said Jason Grentus, Sr. Environmental Manager at JLG Industries, Inc. "This shows our commitment to sustainability at the local level and environmental excellence."
Photo credit: Michelle Wise, Owen Wise, Owen Wise, Owen Wise