Since 2007, Pacific has decreased the percentage of its overall waste stream that goes to landfills from 60% to just 12%.
The company, which uses aseptic packaging for its broths, soups and beverages, immediately set out to make changes when a 2007 internal audit revealed that 60% of discarded materials – primarily food contaminated packaging – were going to the landfill.
Rory Schmick, sustainability manager for Pacific, said: “Other companies were experiencing the same issue, but no one had discovered a viable solution. That didn’t stop us, we created our own.”
Contracting with a local equipment manufacturer, the company spent more than a year creating a custom-designed machine that cleans, crushes and prepares discarded used packaging for recycling. In its first month of operation, Pacific Natural Foods recycled 8% of its overall waste stream. It allowed Pacific to reduce the output of non-recyclable materials enough to eliminate its 30-yard trash compactor.
Pacific continues to work, both internally and with its partners, towards the ultimate goal of becoming zero waste to landfill. With a deeply rooted commitment to sustainable business practices, it’s diligent about repurposing as much waste as possible. Working with brokers and mills, the company recycles everything from packaging and shipping materials to lighting and batteries. Food waste is composted or converted to cattle feed and sent to local farms.
Source: Pacific Natural Foods
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