Hershey Converts Two More 'Zero Waste' Plants
The Hershey Co. has achieved Zero-Waste-to-Landfill (ZWL) status at two more of its plants, bringing its total to six U.S. plants that no longer dispose routine waste into landfills. With the addition of the Y&S Plant in Lancaster, Pa., and the Robinson Plant in Robinson, Ill., The Hershey Co. has exceeded its goal to convert five plants to ZWL by 2015 well ahead of schedule.
“This achievement reflects Hershey’s unwavering commitment to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to manufacture the highest quality confections,” said Terence O’Day, SVP/chief supply chain officer. “Converting plants to ZWL is challenging, but our plant employees have shown how deeply dedicated they are to environmental stewardship. They have worked extremely hard to reach this important milestone.”
To achieve ZWL status, Hershey’s manufacturing facilities have both reduced their overall waste streams and increased recycling rates to approximately 90 percent. All remaining waste is sent to nearby waste-to-energy incinerators, eliminating the need for landfill disposal. These incinerators produce energy, which also reduces overall reliance on fossil fuels.
Hershey now has eight facilities that have achieved ZWL status:
• Hazleton Plant (Hazleton, Pa.)
• Reese Plant (Hershey, Pa.)
• West Hershey Plant (Hershey, Pa.)
• Y&S Plant (Lancaster, Pa.)
• Robinson Plant (Robinson, Ill.)
• Stuarts Draft (Stuarts Draft, Va.)
• Hershey’s Chocolate World (Hershey, Pa.)
• Eastern Distribution Center III (Palmyra, Pa.)
A sustainability leader for decades, company founder Milton Hershey started the company’s first recycling center in Hershey, Pa., in 1937, long before recycling was a common practice. To further reduce its carbon footprint, the company has also added biogas-capturing equipment at four of its U.S. facilities. By utilizing this energy-conversion equipment, the four facilities are less reliant on fossil fuels for energy. Two sets of solar arrays at facilities in Hershey, Pa., eliminate more than 200 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year, which is equivalent to taking approximately 50 cars off the road each year.
The Hershey, Pa.-based global company seeks to continuously advance its environmental sustainability programs with innovative approaches to reduce waste and the environmental impact at all of its facilities around the world. The company’s management encourages employees to continue to look for new solutions for waste management and recycling.
With revenues of more than $6.6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 80 brand names, including Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China, Mexico and Brazil while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.