JM Family Recognized by FDEP for Superior Recycling Efforts

Focus on Sustainable Business Practices Drives Environmental Strategies

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May 20, 2015, 05:38 ET

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- JM Family Enterprises, a diversified automotive company, recently received a Recycling Recognition Program award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for their successful recycling efforts in 2014.

To obtain the honor, candidates must demonstrate a recycling rate at or above the state recycling goal of 50 percent—JM Family achieved a 64 percent recycling rate between its Deerfield Beach headquarters, JM Lexus dealership in Margate, and its Jacksonville vehicle processing and distribution facilities.

JM Family Enterprises receives a Recycling Recognition Program award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their successful recycling efforts in 2014. (left to right) Kristin Jacobs, Florida House Representative; Jennifer Smith, Assistant Director Southeast District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection; Colin Brown, President and CEO, JM Family Enterprises; Cristina Hicks, Environmental Sustainability Manager, JM Family.

The company recycles everything from traditional consumer commodities such as aluminum, glass, paper and plastic to miscellaneous metals, textiles and wood. This equates to over 4.48 million pounds of recycled material including used oil, anti-freeze, construction and demolition debris, tires, and soft and rigid plastics such as rim and spare tire wheel covers. Diverting these materials from the landfill is equal to preventing 6,198 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from releasing into the atmosphere.

"JM Family has consistently been a steward of conservation efforts in the community, and we commend them for taking significant strides toward reducing the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their business practices," said Florida House Representative Kristin Jacobs, who attended the award presentation at JM Family headquarters in Deerfield Beach.

The Recycling Recognition Program was developed in 2012 by the FDEP to encourage private businesses, institutions, schools, public organizations and citizens to increase statewide recycling in order to reach Florida's goal of 75 percent by 2020. To date, approximately 20 private businesses, institutions, schools, public organizations and/or citizens have received the award.

JM Family's environmental sustainability mission allows the company to strategically focus on innovative solutions and responsible practices that not only bolster the success of the business, but help create a more sustainable future for associates, customers, business partners and the community.

"Giving back is a cornerstone of our company, and we understand the importance of aligning business goals with the needs of communities where our associates live and work," said Colin Brown, President and CEO of JM Family. "A natural progression of this philosophy includes accountability for the company's impact on the environment. Therefore, we concentrate our efforts on preserving natural resources and becoming a more sustainable organization."

JM Family aims to preserve the environment through waste reduction and recycling, energy and water conservation, decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, associate awareness campaigns, volunteerism and ensuring business operations adhere to a strong regulatory compliance program. Reducing the amount of materials the company consumes and sends to local landfills is central to its environmental strategy.

"JM Family Enterprises has done a great job recycling waste, which reduces their environmental footprint," said DEP Southeast Assistant Director Jennifer Smith. "The department is pleased to recognize JM Family for their efforts to promote environmentally responsible practices."

About JM Family Enterprises

JM Family Enterprises, Inc., founded by Jim Moran in 1968, is a $13.1 billion diversified automotive company ranked No. 23 on Forbes' list of "America's Largest Private Companies." It is also ranked No. 34 by FORTUNE® as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For®, its 17^th consecutive year on the list. JM Family has approximately 4,100 associates and its primary subsidiaries include: Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world's largest independent distributor of Toyota and Scion vehicles; World Omni Financial Corp., a diversified financial services company; JM&A Group, one of the leading independent providers of finance and insurance (F&I) products in the automotive industry; JM Lexus, the largest volume Lexus dealership in the world; and JM Service Center LLC, the company's internal shared services center. Headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Fla., JM Family has major U.S. operations in Jacksonville and Margate, Fla.; Commerce and Alpharetta, Ga.; Mobile, Ala.; and St. Louis, Mo. Interact with JM Family at Facebook.com/JMFamilyEnterprises.