DAVIDSON, NC (INGERSOLL RAND NEWS SERVICE) -- The Davidson Green Team recently sponsored Pollution Prevention Week at the Davidson, NC, campus.

The week began on Saturday, September 19, at Davidson’s "Run for Green" event and expo, at which Ingersoll Rand was a primary sponsor. The expo featured exhibits and information on sustainability. Visitors learned ways to save money, time and natural resources, plus hear about opportunities to volunteer for local projects that can help protect the environment. Employee Elizabeth Newidomy manned the Ingersoll Rand booth and helped tell our sustainability story to the citizens of Davidson. She reports that those who stopped by were pleased to learn about everything Ingersoll Rand does to benefit the community and the environment.

On Tuesday, the team held a Gas Cap Check on campus with Mecklenburg County's Air Quality Department. Leaking vehicle gas caps contribute to air pollution and waste fuel and money due to evaporation. A total of 69 gas caps were checked and two were replaced. That’s equivalent to saving 60 gallons of gas and preventing 400 pounds of pollutants from entering the atmosphere annually. On Tuesday afternoon, employees donated their time and energy to clean up Beaty Street. The Davidson Campus adopted Beaty Street almost 10 years ago, and honors that commitment with "Clean the Highway" events.

On Thursday, the team collected unused bicycles for Trips for Kids. Employees donated 12 bikes, double the amount previously collected. The campus also held its inaugural Fun Run. Employees enjoyed the approximately 1-mile trail around the campus with a casual run after work.

Throughout the week, roving "sustainability reporter" Gretchen Digby, senior manager, Safety Engineering for Ingersoll Rand, and a camera crew roamed the campus. Visit the company's YouTube site, www.youtube.com/ingersollrandplc, to learn more about the rain garden, nesting boxes and reflective roof at Davidson. You also can see videos of the Trips for Kids bike collection and a tour of Ingersoll Rand in Davidson.

Helping throughout the week to organize these events were Lisa Potts-Ralph, Steve Black, Nathaniel Clawson and Alex Jankowsky.

"The work of Green Teams around the world is a critical part of Ingersoll Rand's long-term sustainability strategy," said Holly Emerson, manager, Corporate Sustainability Strategy, for Ingersoll Rand. "Our company is committed to the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic performance or, as we like to call it: 'Green, Giving and Growing.' Our ability to deliver solutions in an environmentally and socially responsible manner creates economic benefit for our customers, shareholders, employees and the societies where we live and work. The key to success on our journey lies in every employee recognizing that he or she can make a difference, and that even the smallest actions have a big impact. I applaud the enthusiasm of all Ingersoll Rand Green Team volunteers as they work together to move us all forward."