Hormel Foods Corp. increased its recycling tonnage by 27 percent in 2011, according to its latest sustainability report.

The Austin, Minn.-based food producer and marketer said in a news release it reduced solid waste sent to landfills for the year by 695.2 tons.

The company said it also exceeded its packaging minimization goal, reducing packaging by 4.2 million pounds.

In addition, Hormel beat its water reduction goal, reducing consumption by 15 percent. The company was listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the second consecutive year, placing Hormel among the world's top 10 percent of sustainable firms.