News Releases from Region 09
U.S. EPA recognizes Earth Friendly Products as 2017 WasteWise Winner
SAN FRANCISCO – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the prevention and diversion accomplishments of Earth Friendly Products, based in Cypress, Calif., one of 16 WasteWise national award winners. The award recipients collectively prevented and recycled over 355,801 tons of waste, saving $17.7 million in avoided landfill fees.
“This is yet another excellent example of the EPA partnering with communities and organizations to achieve environmental and economic benefits through waste prevention and management. The WasteWise award winners have exemplified tremendous environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility, and we commend their efforts,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Earth Friendly Products operates four sustainable manufacturing facilities across the United States. Family owned and operated since 1967, the company has implemented rigorous recycling programs at all of its divisions to dramatically reduce its production and packaging waste. By separating all recyclable materials, being vigilant in reducing consumption, and working closely with suppliers and vendors to prevent waste, Earth Friendly Products has reduced its overall waste by 95 percent since 2010. Since 2011, the company has earned over $223,000 from selling recyclable materials and has reduced its trash disposal costs by over $115,000.
For 23 years, EPA’s WasteWise has helped organizations and businesses apply sustainable materials management practices to prevent and reduce municipal and select industrial wastes, saving them resources and money.
WasteWise partners reported preventing and diverting 8.5 million tons of waste that would otherwise have been disposed in landfills or incinerators. These actions—which include waste prevention, recycling, composting and donation—saved participants over $400 million in avoided landfill fees.
WasteWise partners who report the best overall improvement in waste prevention and recycling activities—when compared to the previous year—receive awards in various categories.
The 16 national award winners are:
College and University
- Texas: Partner of the Year - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Georgia: Honorable Mention - Georgia State University
Federal Government
- California: Partner of the Year - The Presidio Trust
Large Business
- New Jersey: Partner of the Year - Ravitz Family Markets, Price Rite Supermarkets, Inc.
- New Jersey: Honorable Mention - Ravitz Family Markets, Shoprite: Union Mill Rd., Mount Laurel Supermarkets, Inc.
Local Government
- Illinois: Partner of the Year - City of Urbana
- Florida: Honorable Mention - City of Fort Lauderdale
Mid-size Business
- Wisconsin: Partner of the Year - Frito Lay, Beloit, WI
- Virginia: Honorable Mention - JK Moving Services
Non-profit Organization
- Massachusetts: Partner of the Year - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
School/School District
- Florida: Partner of the Year - Pasco County Schools
Small Business
- Missouri: Partner of the Year - Urban Chestnut Brewing Company
- California: Honorable Mention - Earth Friendly Products
- Washington: Honorable Mention - CenturyLink Field
Very Large Business
- Wisconsin: Partner of the Year - Kohl’s Department Stores
- Illinois: Honorable Mention - Sears Holdings Corporation
All U.S. businesses, governments and non-profit organizations can join WasteWise. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise.
For more information about Earth Friendly Products’ award, visit: https://www.epa.gov/smm/2017-wastewise-national-award-winners#EarthFriendly.
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