ConAgra Foods Announces Zero Waste Champions

15 Nov 2013 --- In celebration of America Recycles Day, ConAgra Foods, Inc., has announced its annual Zero Waste Champion award winners, 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.