Family-owned paper company Monadnock Paper Mills has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a recipient of a 2013 Environmental Merit Award for its significant contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving.
Awarded annually by the EPA since 1970, the Environmental Merit Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work has protected or improved the environment in distinct ways. A winner in the Business, Industry, Trade or Professional category for the State of New Hampshire, Monadnock has been highlighted for the following achievements:
· All of Monadnock’s reclaimed short paper fiber — a byproduct of the papermaking process — is reused for animal bedding and compost. Recycling has cut the company’s landfill waste by more than 600,000 pounds a year.
· Monadnock’s energy savings projects have saved the company more than a million kilowatt hours of power per year.
· Monadnock generates up to half of its renewable energy through waterpower and is actively seeking to expand this resource. The company uses groundwater for processing of papers and boasts an on-site water conservation team.
· Monadnock truckers are committed to burning cleaner diesel fuels and practicing anti-idling polices. The company also makes sure its raw materials come from responsible sources.
“Developing sustainable and environmentally-conscious business practices has been a priority for Monadnock for decades — long before environmentalism became fashionable,” said Michelle Hamm, Monadnock Paper Mills Environmental Programs Manager. “We are honored the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized us as an organization committed to proactively taking responsibility for its environmental impact.”
In May, Monadnock announced that it achieved 100 percent carbon-neutral production status and can offer customers and supply chain partners a third-party verified claim that all of its products are made with certified, clean renewable electricity. The company also announced the availability of an uncoated label designed specifically for craft beer made from 100 percent FSC-certified, post-consumer waste fibers.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Aug 1, 2013 2am EDT / 11pm PDT / 7am BST / 8am CEST