As an experienced environmental, health and safety (EHS) director, Lisa Puckett had a front-row seat to witnessing the gaps in sustainability practices across industries like biotech, medical and veterinary. Much of this was due to a project management methodology that prioritized environmental responsibility over profitability.
Recognizing the need for an alternative approach—one that champions integrity and sustainability from procurement to disposal—Puckett started BayArea Compliance (BAC). As an environmental, social and governance (ESG) company, it is dedicated to tackle project management gaps with tailored compliance solutions that cover every stage, creating a unique 360-degree model that handles procurement, transportation and in-house recycling
“Our focus isn’t profit padding—it’s real savings for clients through sustainable, responsible action,” says Puckett, reflecting BAC’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach to ESG practices.
It strongly emphasizes efficient waste segregation, in-depth materiality assessments and eliminating unnecessary steps in waste handling. This method brings clients high average savings. BAC even sells or reclaims processed materials, passing the additional savings and profits back to clients through its closed loop system.
Through BAC’s Compliance|360 program, Puckett and her team go beyond ticking compliance boxes. This full-circle approach ensures real results, helping clients reduce their environmental footprint while keeping costs low. It finds creative ways to handle waste—like turning lab plastics into decking or transforming Styrofoam into durable building materials. Demonstrating that sustainability and cost savings don’t have to be at odds, BAC sells or reclaims processed materials to generate even higher savings for clients.
“Recycling does not have to be more expensive or gruesome. It can be straightforward and allow manufacturers to save costs alongside their clients,” states Puckett.
Taking it further, the company drives efficient waste segregation, performs impactful materiality assessments and eliminates unnecessary shipping. Thanks to these competencies, many BAC clients achieve more than their initial landfill diversion objectives, significantly lowering their disposal costs and, in many cases, saving millions.
Our focus isn’t profit padding—it’s real savings for clients through sustainable, responsible action
What really sets BAC apart is its transparency and commitment to genuine sustainability. Unlike competitors that ‘over-classify’ materials to boost profits, its integrity-first approach ensures cost-effectiveness without compromising on sustainability. This methodology is powered by Puckett’s practical experience and commitment to making sustainability work for everyone.
In her words, “I’ve done everything from budgeting to janitorial tasks. For me, profit is a natural outcome, not the driving force.”
When a client, producing 330,000 tons of waste annually across four locations needed help in diverting their hazardous and biohazardous waste, BAC helped them with effective materiality assessments. It identified opportunities for further improvements in their waste management.
Within 30 days, BAC initiated petitions, completed a materiality assessment within 60 days and secured Green Lab and building certifications by the three-month mark. To support the client’s landfill diversion objectives, BAC collaborated with vendors specializing in handling medical and regulated waste, surpassing their sustainability goals.
This effort, along with tailored social governance initiatives focusing on diversity and inclusion (D&I) and women in leadership, strengthened the client’s ESG reports and helped secure favorable loans. Even today, BAC continues to partner with this client, ensuring each new product aligns with sustainable practices, further cementing their position as an ESG leader. Ultimately, BAC helped the client not just meet but surpass their ESG goal.
Success stories like these highlight its position as a profit multiplier, allowing clients to stay green, cut costs and reinvest in their workforce. By maximizing social awareness and fueling responsible growth, BAC anchors its clients’ operations to achieve lasting sustainability.
With many more successful projects on the horizon, Puckett stays focused on her simple yet powerful mission to help clients reach net-zero impact without relying on carbon credits or offsets.
