Roppe Corp., a leading manufacturer of rubber and vinyl flooring for the commercial market, has been recognized by the Ohio Senate for the company's environmental efforts.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Randy Gardner, whose district includes the Roppe facility, presented company officials with an environmental citizenship award plaque and a letter from the Ohio Senate congratulating the company for its exemplary environmental stewardship.

The letter cites several examples of "environmentally friendly endeavors," among them the setting aside of 47 acres of property as a wildlife preserve, company- and community-wide recycling efforts, and hazardous waste and air emissions reduction by more than 90 percent since 1995.

Sen. Gardner presented the plaque to Rick Ward, Roppe's safety and environmental manager. Also representing Roppe were Donald P. Miller, chairman of the board of Roppe; Donald V. Gillett, CEO and president; Mark Baker, vice president of finance and treasurer; John Clouse, director of sales and marketing; and Doug Michelsen, operations manager.

Miller pointed to the recently re-introduced Rop-Cord tile, which is manufactured with 90 percent post-consumer solid waste from recycled truck and bus tires. The continuing efforts to utilize its own post-manufacture waste resulted in the development of the Fiesta Tile and Tread lines.