Barnwell, S.C. – Kronotex USA has launched a company-wide recycling and waste reduction program that will have a tremendous impact on materials that would normally be sent to a landfill. Kronotex is working with Pratt Recycling, a subsidiary of Pratt Industries, on the project.
Kronotex USA’s recycling program will involve complete separation of all waste streams, including paper, clear plastic, green strapping, corrugate, bottles, cans, metal and general waste. The paper and corrugated products collected will be used as raw materials for one of Pratt’s paper mills and returned in the form of sustainable, 100% recycled content packaging. Non-paper recyclables are transported to end users, while non-recyclables are used as fuel for Pratt’s clean energy plant, which powers the paper-making process.
“We are undertaking this initiative not to save cost, but to act as a good corporate citizen by making an internal, cultural shift and doing the right things to lessen our environmental footprint in our community,” noted George Kelley, Kronotex USA president and CEO. “Jody Smith, our quality manager, championed this major recycling program while two other Kronotex employees – Tim Horton and Charlie Jenkins – are working with Pratt Recycling to manage the project internally,” added Kelley.
”Pratt Recycling has perfected a very unique zero-landfill solution for Kronotex as well as other manufacturers throughout the country,” stated Myles Cohen, president of Pratt Recycling. “Kronotex’s commitment to environmental sustainability made it easy for us to customize our close-the-loop program that turns a company’s waste stream into new packaging – all from Pratt’s fully integrated recycling, waste-to-clean-energy, and converting capabilities,” he added.
By using 100% recycled cartons from Pratt Industries in 2012, Kronotex had an environmental impact of saving 36,528 trees, 9.7 million gallons of water, nearly 5,000 cubic yards of landfill diversion, 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gases avoided and nearly 7 million kWhrs of electricity saved.