In celebration of America Recycles Day, ConAgra Foods, Inc. announced its annual Zero Waste Champion award winners today, recognizing 33 of its facilities that have reached a major environmental milestone: diverting more than 95 percent of solid waste from landfills through donation, reuse and recycling. These facilities – representing more than 80 percent of the company's total waste generation – helped ConAgra Foods achieve a 94 percent companywide waste diversion rate in fiscal year 2014. A notable accomplishment for this year's program is that three of the facilities recognized have achieved the ultimate success, sending ZERO waste to landfill.
"We began this program four years ago to recognize and reward employees who have changed their attitudes and practices regarding wastes and work hard every day to bring the company value on our journey to zero waste. Adding more locations to our list of Champions each year is a great stride forward and having some achieving 100% diversion is a great example of what is possible," said Gail Tavill, vice president, Packaging and Sustainable Productivity.
ConAgra Foods' zero waste strategy is to systematically and strategically reduce waste generated and keep materials out of the landfill to maximize the use of resources for the future. The company's 2020 sustainability vision includes a goal of avoiding waste generated at production facilities by one billion pounds through improved material utilization and source reduction. At the same time, ConAgra Foods remains focused on keeping materials out of landfills, directing them to the most beneficial reuse. The company prefers the term "by-products" over waste to encourage imaginative ways to donate, reuse and recycle materials, ensuring these 'by-products' are reaching their highest value end-of-life.
ConAgra Foods' 2014 Zero Waste Champion award winners include: American Falls, Idaho; Batesville, Ark.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Brantford, Canada; Boardman, Ore.; Carol Stream, Ill.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Connell, Wash.; Columbia, S.C.; Cranbury, N.J.; Dresden, Canada; Excelsior Springs, Mo.; Hamburg, Iowa; Hanover, Penn.; Helm, Calif.; Hermiston, Ore.; Irapuato, Mexico; Lakeville, Minn.; Lancaster, Ohio; Lincoln, Neb.; Maple Grove, Minn.; Menomonie, Wis.; Park Rapids, Minn.; Pasco, Wash. (two winners – Columbia Basin Blends and the Pasco plant); Paterson, Wash.; Quincy, Wash.; Richland, Wash.; Taber, Canada; Tolleson, Ariz.; Tonawanda, N.Y.; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Warden, Wash.
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