Leggett and Platt of Winchester has received state recognition for its efforts toward sustainability and environmental stewardship through the KY EXCEL program.

Through their membership in KY EXCEL, partner businesses complete environmental stewardship and sustainability projects to make their own operations as well as the community at large more green. In return, the businesses gain new networking opportunities with likeminded businesses as well as discounts on training and other programs EXCEL sponsors.

According to Debbie Means, L&P’s continuous improvement facilitator, the company joined the EXCEL program in 2012, committing to do at least one project per year.

However, as the company became more involved involved in green initiatives, it soon quickly outpaced its requirements.

“We were doing so much each year that they actually asked us to consider upgrading to the master level,” Means said.

Some projects included renovating the company’s building — built in the 1940s — to be more energy efficient. Other projects included finding ways to recycle unused components from the plant, volunteering for community cleanups and working with students at Justice Elementary School during enrichment programs.

As a master member of the EXCEL program, Leggett and Platt commits to complete at least five environmental projects a year, though Means said the company regularly surpasses that number.

“KY EXCEL has given us some amazing resources, from a team that is committed to encouraging KY EXCEL members to be the best Environmental Stewards possible and setting up networking opportunities to build upon best practices,” Means said.

Some of the projects L&P has completed in Winchester include:

— Community clean up days

— 4-H Adventures in Agriculture Day Camp

— Donated pallets for reuse as benches for Better Block event and at Beer Cheese Festival

— Donated pallets for a local daycare

— Participated in Enrichment Fridays at Justice Elementary

— Pallets resused for scarecrows made of scrap pallets at annual Scarecrow Festival to benefit local charities

— Bed springs reuse/recycle to make wreaths and trees at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum Deck the Halls fundraiser

— Participated in the Red Ribbon parade at Justice Elementary promoting a drug-free lifestyle

— Participated in Career Day at Justice Elementary

— Attended fourth annual SAGA Awards (Students Achieving Great Accomplishments) at Justice Elementary. Invitation to L&P for supporting “in the development of work ready, citizen-minded leaders who have accomplished great things”.   

— Asked community leaders and businesses to judge a “Trash to Treasure” contests for the past several years.