West Liberty, Iowa —West Liberty Foods, L.L.C. announced that its Mount Pleasant, Iowa facility has successfully achieved ‘landfill free’ status. This status was independently verified by NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd. (NSF-ISR), a leader in management systems registrations whose parent organization NSF International writes standards and tests and certifies products for the food, water, building products and consumer goods industries. West Liberty Foods is among the first companies in the United States to have its ‘landfill free’ claim verified by a third party organization, a major milestone in the food industry. This is the second of West Liberty Foods’ facilities to become landfill free.
The NSF-ISR verification process was used to ensure that West Liberty Foods could demonstrate the total waste from its Mount Pleasant facility entering the landfill was less than the industry acceptable 1%. Through working to accomplish this status, West Liberty Foods’ Mount Pleasant facility has successfully diverted over 2 million pounds of annual waste from the local landfill. “To have two of our facilities ‘landfill free’ in the same year is a fulfilling achievement,” said Gerald Lessard, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for West Liberty Foods. “I’m proud of the hard work, dedication and the engagement of our team members in becoming ‘landfill free’. The process of becoming ‘landfill free’ was a natural extension of our ISO:14001 certification process and paved the way for this achievement.”
West Liberty Foods developed a two-step approach to accomplishing this monumental status. First, the facility completed an internal audit to assess current practices. This audit allowed the facility to increase its recycling initiatives by identifying local vendors to recycle waste for energy. After the audit, internal processes were developed and extensive employee training was undertaken. West Liberty Foods’ employees are critical to the overall success of this program.
“Having another facility earn ‘landfill free’ designation exemplifies West Liberty Foods’ exceptional commitment to protecting the environment,” said Tony Giles, NSF-ISR Business Development Director.
West Liberty Foods is committed to environmental excellence when serving its clients and the communities that it calls home. As a result of the success seen in Tremonton and Mount Pleasant, West Liberty Foods is one step closer to becoming landfill free company-wide. They are working to complete the process at the West Liberty, Iowa location later this year.
About West Liberty Foods:
West Liberty Foods is a leading co-packer, private label manufacturer, and foodservice supplier of sliced deli meats and fully cooked IQF products. They supply products to many well-known retail and foodservice chains nationwide. In 2004 they became the first turkey processing facility to become ISO 14001:2004 Certified. (www.wlfoods.com)
About NSF International:
NSF International is an independent public health and safety organization that writes standards and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide and operates in more than 150 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.
NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), an NSF International Company, offers a comprehensive portfolio of management systems registration solutions to meet the demands of the global marketplace (nsf-isr.org). NSF-ISR also offers sustainability solutions, claims verification and custom audit services.
Source: West Liberty Foods