Poland Spring achieved a 46% fuel reduction, far surpassing the 37% goal it set going into 2008. The company also committed to recycling 92% of its waste stream, a goal that was reached by year end and since surpassed with an impressive 96%.
The programme – ‘Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production’ – is part of a multi-step environmental sustainability initiative that also includes the ‘Governor’s Carbon Challenge’. Poland Spring and a handful of other Maine companies each volunteer to reach a series of sustainability targets that they set with the DEP. Poland Spring stepped up to improve sustainability in key areas such as fuel use reduction and establishing a forward-thinking recycling programme.
Governor Baldacci recognised Poland Spring, saying: “I’m pleased that Poland Spring is investing in Maine and committed to preserving our environment, which is tied closely to our quality of life and our economy. We must work together to support good environmental practices, and our corporate citizens like Poland Spring are important partners to building the sustainable practices that will expand opportunities for Mainers now and into the future.”
Julie Churchill, assistant director at the DEP Office of Innovation and Assistance, congratulated Poland Spring for surpassing its solid waste and fuel use programme goals. “Poland Spring is an example of how companies can utilise smart production concepts,” Churchill said.
Poland Spring has improved its sustainability in a number of key areas including:
Ron Dyer, Poland Spring’s regional safety, health and environmental manager/’Green Guru’, thanked the governor and the DEP for their work and for helping companies committed to sustainability achieve their goals.
“The 800 Maine employees of Poland Spring take their responsibility to environmental sustainability seriously. Maine, after all, is our home too,” said Dyer. “Poland Spring will continue to work hard every day to find new efficiencies and innovative technologies to support and increase our investment in Maine.”
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Innovation operates the ‘Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production’ programme.
Source: Poland Spring
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