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Bethlehem Company Honored for Environmental Leadership

Release Date: 01/31/2007
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the PolyOne Corporation for committing to reduce waste and manufacture more environmentally-sound products in Bethlehem, Pa.

“PolyOne is joining companies across the country in EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge to find flexible, yet more protective ways, to conserve our natural resources through waste reduction and energy recovery,” Abraham Ferdas, EPA’s regional director said. “Today, PolyOne committed to eliminating lead in its manufacturing processes, as well as to developing a comprehensive recycling program. These efforts help to protect public health and the environment.”

PolyOne, the world’s largest polymer services company, provides its customers with a single source for polymer, colorant and additive products. Under the EPA partnership, the company, which used approximately 14,000 pounds of lead in 2004 in the manufacture of its lead-based stabilizers, has committed to eliminate all use of lead by redesigning or reformulating its products to use lead-free stabilizers.

PolyOne will also implement an extensive recycling program for paper, cardboard, and polymers in their manufacturing to conserve resources and reduce the amount of trash going into the landfills. Their goal is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills from 321,000 pounds in 2004 to about 160,000 pounds in 2006. They are achieving this reduction by modifying processes and procedures, such as segregating waste, training employees and implementing of specific logistic systems. The ultimate corporate goal is to completely eliminate chemical wastes sent to landfills.

EPA created the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities program, one of a several voluntary partnership programs, to reduce 31 highly toxic, priority chemicals found in our nation’s waste. The agency’s goal is to work with industry and the public to reduce the presence of 31 priority chemicals in waste by 10 percent by the year 2008, compared to amounts generated in 2001. For more information about this program, go to:https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm

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