WhiteWave Foods Reduces Waste by 30% Through Recycling

Health food producer WhiteWave Foods said it had reduced its waste generation by 30 percent through recycling in the past five years.

The Broomfield, Colo.-based company said in its sustainability report that it has reduced metric tons of waste sent to the landfill through increased recycling programs and better material efficiency at the company's production facilities.  Having met its original recycling goal, “WhiteWave is committed to continuing to look for new opportunities to remove waste and costs from the business moving forward,” the company said in a news release.

 The company said it has achieved other waste reduction measures as part of its Responsible Livelihood program of corporate environmental stewardship. It recaptures product in an aseptic tank for use, preventing it from entering the public waste system, which helped to eliminate 50 sludge tankers and associated transportation emissions.

The company instituted a zero-waste recycling and composting program at its headquarters. WhiteWave said it diverted roughly 115,000 pounds of waste from landfills in 2010. It also recently launched a green purchasing initiative and training program to use environmentally-friendly office supplies, electronics and office fixtures in place of conventional versions.

"Producing food choices responsibly, reducing our impact on the environment and giving back to our communities are all part of our mission of becoming the earth's favorite food company," said Blaine McPeak, president of WhiteWave Foods.

WhiteWave’s products include Silk, Horizon Organic, International Delight and Land O Lakes.