Achievements

In order to provide a fuller sense of the work the CAP is engaged in, a summary listing of some of the group's achievements is set out below.  As sensitive or confidential issues are often a part of the work in progress, current activities are generally not reported until a result is arrived at.  Both RCC and Roche denote Roche Colorado Corporation unless the global parent company is specified.

This summary is updated over time to show the most recent accomplishments first.  These are followed by projects selected from earlier in the CAP's history to demonstrate the range of activities that may undertaken either from internal direction or as a result of community input.

• Reviewed the effect that Roche Colorado's environmental policy has on sourcing decisions, prompting the company to develop a process to identify and report the percentage of goods and services sourced locally.

• Reviewed Roche's Responsible Care policy and the influence it has on work directed to advance environmental, health, and safety goals and practices at the company.

• Held a presentation and discussion with Genentech's Vice-President of Governmental Affairs to review Roche's outlook and legislative interests regarding health care.  Topics covered included the Roche/Genentech patient assistance program to provide pharmaceuticals to the poor and uninsured.

• Met with Don Fitzgerald, RCC President and Site Manager, who discussed his background and answered questions about Roche's health care policy interests.  Don further reiterated the CAP's value to Roche as well as the company's support through continued open access to relevant information and personnel.

• Recorded all current CAP processes and leadership duties in writing for the benefit of new members and to facilitate review and change as necessary.  Created a reference calendar of annual CAP activities such as touring the manufacturing plant and recruiting new members.

• Brought in an outside expert to educate and explore topics concerning environmental influences on human health:  Hazardous Exposure, Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
• Reviewed RCC’s annual Environmental Programs Status Report resulting in a re-issue of the report in response to CAP feedback on improving the wastewater discharge reporting.
• Investigated the prospective changes in RCC’s waste generation profile based on the site’s reorganization and refocused product responsibilities within the global company.  RCC agreed to ongoing reporting of any material changes as they evolve.
• Expanded the CAP review of sustainability and other corporate citizenship objectives to include an understanding of Roche’s local social giving program.
• Created a new online vehicle for the distribution of internal documents in order to reduce paper usage.
• Reviewed long-term company commitments, determining that the CAP Operating Guidelines are the chief source of company commitments to the CAP.
• Updated the Roche CAP website and created a regular site maintenance plan to better keep the community current on Roche CAP activities.
• Monitored RCC's response to twice finding dioxin in the Emission Control System output at levels just above the limits of detection.  Readings returned to zero by replacing the final stage filtering with a more robust and durable filter system.  Continued monitoring of ongoing tests.
• Reviewed RCC's annual Environmental Programs Status Report.
• Reviewed RCC's Risk Management Plans for certain hazardous chemicals.
• Provided input on RCC's Waste Water Treatment System.
• Added community commentary on State and City enforcement actions.
• Participated in Responsible Care audits.
• Tracked status of the Emission Control System installation and testing.
• Held risk and dioxin training.
• Conducted community surveys and held open community meetings.
• Advised RCC on ways to improve community relations.