AUGUSTA – Poland Spring Water Company was recognized today as an “environmental leader” by Governor John Baldacci for reaching key environmental sustainability benchmarks set by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Innovation.
Poland Spring achieved a 46 percent fuel reduction, far surpassing the 37 percent goal they set going into 2008. The company also committed to recycling 92 percent of their waste stream, a goal that was reached by year-end and since surpassed with an impressive 96 percent.
The program, “Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production” is part of a multi-step environmental sustainability initiative that also includes the “Governor’s Carbon Challenge”. Poland Spring and a handful of other Maine companies each volunteer to reach a series of sustainability targets that they set with the DEP. Poland Spring stepped up to improve sustainability in key areas like fuel use reduction and establishing a forward-thinking recycling program.
“I am pleased that Poland Spring is investing in Maine and committed to preserving our environment, which is tied closely to our quality of life and our economy,” Gov. Baldacci said of Poland Spring. “We must work together to support good environmental practices, and our corporate citizens like Poland Spring are important partners to building the sustainable practices that will expand opportunities for Mainers now and into the future.”
Julie Churchill, assistant director at the DEP Office of Innovation and Assistance, congratulated Poland Spring for surpassing their solid waste and fuel use program goals. “Poland Spring is an example of how companies can utilize smart production concepts” Churchill said.
Poland Spring has improved its sustainability in a number of key areas including:
• Packaging: Poland Spring’s ½ liter bottle uses 30% less plastic than others, and is the lightest branded bottle produced. The result is a third less fuel needed to produce the bottle, a third less carbon from the production process, and a significant reduction in the material used to produce the raw resin.
• Production: All new construction has been built to achieve LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), including their newest plant in Kingfield.
• Transportation: Poland Spring runs the largest biodiesel fuel truck fleet in Maine. This switch to biofuel has resulted in increased fuel efficiency and a carbon reduction of 475 tons/year, the equivalent of taking 105 cars off the road.
• Recycling: In addition to achieving a 92% to 95% recycling rate in all of our plants, Poland Spring also recycles its plastic bottles for reuse as fleece, auto parts, and other valuable products.
• Environmental Management System certification: Poland Spring has earned ISO 14001:2004 certification from the International Standards Organization (ISO). These standards are considered the benchmark for environmental management systems worldwide. Poland Spring is the only bottled water brand to achieve this highest benchmark.
Ron Dyer, Poland Spring’s Regional Safety, Health and Environmental Manager/“Green Guru,” thanked the Governor and the DEP for their work and for helping companies committed to sustainability achieve their goals. “The 800 Maine employees of Poland Spring take their responsibility to environmental sustainability seriously. Maine, after all, is our home too.” Dyer went on to say, “Poland Spring will continue to work hard every day to find new efficiencies and innovative technologies to support and increase our investment in Maine.”
