GARDENA : State Lauds Nissan for Recycling Efforts

Every month an employee of the Nissan Motor Corp. in Gardena wins the privilege of choosing which nonprofit group will receive $200 to $300 from the company’s aluminum can recycling program.

The cans are collected throughout the 1,200-employee site, said spokeswoman Tiffany Felix.

Nissan was one of five South Bay companies among the 144 California businesses recognized by the state for reducing their waste. Nissan has a variety of programs to promote recycling by employees, Felix said.

The state’s Integrated Waste Management Board surveyed companies and recognized those with comprehensive programs to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Harbor City also won an award. By recycling cardboard packaging for food and medical products, recycling white paper and reducing what goes into its contaminated materials program, the company has significantly cut down waste, the board said.

Leiner Health Products of Torrance, Epson America Inc. in Torrance and Team One Advertising in El Segundo also won awards.