YORK, Pa. -- At the urging of his college-student grandson, retired Navy technical illustrator George Geisler Sr. of Camp Hill started putting pencil to paper. "I got on a roll and was having a lot of fun with it," said Geisler, 81. By "it" he was referring to Rutter's Farm Stores' "Win Green Design Contest," which challenged entrants to come up with the design for a recycling bin for bottles, cans and newspapers that will be placed in front of each of the company's convenience stores.
Marking Earth Day, Rutter's announced that one of Geisler's 10 submitted entries was selected as the [image-nocss] inspiration for the new container, which will be rolled out this summer.
The metal, four-sided bin will be red and feature a graphic—inspired by Geisler's sketch—of an old Rutter's Dairy milk can on three of its sides. The milk can on the front will bear the script "R" from Rutter's logo and the words "complete the cycle." Deer Park Water co-sponsored the initiative, and its logo will appear on the bin.
Scott Hartman, president of Rutter's Farm Stores, presented Geisler with a $500 Rutter's first place gift card during a brief ceremony at a Rutter's store in York, Pa.
The contest ran from December to January and generated more than 120 entries from individuals and classrooms. Besides Geisler's top prize, each of the other entrants also received Rutter's gift cards.
"We want to congratulate Mr. Geisler for his winning entry," Hartman said, "and we wish to thank everyone who participated. This is really the first step in engaging our customers in an ongoing effort to recycle cans and bottles for the betterment of the environment. The positive impact can be tremendous when you consider that an aluminum can that's recycled can be back on a shelf as a new can within as little as 60 days. It certainly goes to show that no matter what your age, 81 or 21, this issue is important for all of us, and you can make a difference for so many future generations by starting now."
The contest is part of a list of steps Rutter's is taking to make its stores more environmentally friendly. These include the installation of computerized store utility management software, use of more-efficient LED and T5 light bulbs, the recycling of frying oils for use in biofuels, the installation of white roofs on new stores, phosphate-free detergents for car washes and lightbulb recycling.
"These ideas have come from our employees, customers and even my children," Hartman said. "All ideas are welcomed. We are just at the beginning of many more great ways to change our business while making a long-term difference."
Family-owned and third-generation managed, York-based Rutter's operates 51 c- stores in York, Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and Lancaster counties.
[Photo (from left): Scott Hartman, president of Rutter's Farm Stores; contest winner George Geisler Sr.; Jeff Flaig, regional account manager, Nestle Waters North America Inc.; Tim Rutter, president of M&G Realty (part of Rutter's companies); Judy Brown, key accounts manager, Nestle Waters North America.]
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