ConAgra Foods Announces Zero Waste Champions
OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 14, 2013 /3BL Media/ – In celebration of America Recycles Day, ConAgra Foods announced its annual Zero Waste Champion award winners today, recognizing 27 facilities that have reached a major environmental milestone: diverting more than 95 percent of solid waste from landfills through reuse and recycling. These facilities –representing nearly 75 percent of the company’s total waste generation – helped ConAgra Foods achieve a 93 percent waste diversion rate in fiscal year 2013.
This years’ program results are particularly notable as eight of the new facilities being recognized are new to ConAgra Foods with the recent acquisition of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc, “As we began our process of learning about and integrating Ralcorp facilities, it was very exciting to see several of them were already aligned with our Zero Loss philosophy and we are thrilled to include them in our Zero Waste Champion program,” said Gail Tavill, vice president, Sustainable Development.
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. ConAgra Foods’ 2020 sustainability vision includes a goal of avoiding waste generated at production facilities by one billion pounds through improved material utilization. At the same time, ConAgra Foods remains focused on keeping materials out of landfills, directing them to the most beneficial reuse. ConAgra Foods pursues imaginative ways to donate, reuse and recycle materials, ensuring these ‘by-products’ are reaching their highest value end-of-life.
ConAgra Foods’ 2013 Zero Waste Champion award winners include: American Falls, Idaho; Batesville, Ark.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Boardman, Ore.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Colton, Calif.; Connell, Wash.; Columbia, S.C.; Cranbury, N.J.; Hamburg, Iowa; Helm, Calif.; Hermiston, Ore.; Lakeville, Minn.; Lancaster, Ohio; Lincoln, Neb.; Menomonie, Wis.; Newport, Ark.; Park Rapids, Minn.; Pasco, Wash. (two winners – Columbia Basin Blends and the Pasco plant); Paterson, Wash.; Quincy, Wash.; Richland, Wash.; Sparks, Nev.; Tolleson, Ariz.; Tonawanda, N.Y.; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Warden, Wash.
ABOUT CONAGRA FOODS
ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's largest packaged food companies with branded and private branded food found in 99 percent of America’s households, as well as a strong commercial foods business serving restaurants and foodservice operations globally. Consumers can find recognized brands such as Banquet®, Chef Boyardee®, Egg Beaters®, Healthy Choice®, Hebrew National®, Hunt's®, Marie Callender's®, Orville Redenbacher's®, PAM®, Peter Pan®, Reddi-wip®, Slim Jim®, Snack Pack® and many other ConAgra Foods brands, along with food sold by ConAgra Foods under private brand labels, in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise, club and drug stores. Additionally, ConAgra Foods supplies frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice, bakery and grain products to commercial and foodservice customers. ConAgra Foods operates ReadySetEat.com, an interactive recipe website that provides consumers with easy dinner recipes and more. For more information, please visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.
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