Nice-Pak/PDI has announced the transformation of its Orangeburg, N.Y., manufacturing plant into a "zero landfill" facility. The wet-wipe manufacturing plant now sends more than 2,000 tons of non-recyclable waste per year to a waste-to-energy facility in Peekskill, N.Y., where it provides fuel for electricity generation.
"Over the past several years, we have worked hard to maximize our in-plant recycling rate," said Adam Lurie, vice president of operations at Orangeburg. "Now we are using the small percentage of waste that is non-recyclable to produce cleaner electricity. Every year, this eliminates approximately 250,000 cubic feet of landfill, replaces 10 railcars of coal that would otherwise be burned to generate that same electricity and reduces greenhouse gas production by 1,967 metric tons of CO2-e (carbon-dioxide equivalent). That's like removing 380 passenger cars from the road, according to EPA figures."
Nice-Pak/PDI has already exceeded its goal of a 50-percent reduction in total solid waste to landfill in three years. As a result of the company's ongoing war on waste, three of four U.S. manufacturing facilities recycle all cardboard boxes, barrels and shrink wrap, and send the balance of materials to local waste-to-energy facilities. The company's fourth U.S. manufacturing facility will be converted to "zero landfill" in the near future.
"We have an opportunity to make a significant difference through environmentally responsible actions and to help educate families and communities about the important role they can have in protecting our environment," said Robert Julius, Nice-Pak/PDI chairman and CEO.
Sustainability at Nice-Pak/PDI extends beyond waste management. The company's long-term sustainability strategy addresses energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, materials efficiency, components, chemistry, water impact and community education. As a step toward harmonizing company-wide activity, the company launched a strategic plan in January 2011 to coordinate sustainability initiatives at its individual facilities. For more information, visit www.nicepak.com or www.pdipdi.com.
