One such firm ─ Castle Co-Packers of New Kensington─ slashed operating costs by re-using water and modifying automated production processes. The company created an additional income stream through on- and off-site recycling programs, coupled with employee education. Brian Dworkin, President and CEO of Castle Co-Packers, is the keynote presenter at Best Practices in Greening Manufacturing.
A panel of operational managers from three companies in Central Pennsylvania will share the “greening” measures they took to cut operating costs. Two of the firms, REI Distribution Facility, Bedford; and Cherokee Pharmaceuticals, Riverside, received the 2009 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award for their achievements.
REI reduced energy use by 33 percent at its facility, which received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Cherokee Pharmaceuticals’ energy conservation and employee involvement program saved $2 million in energy costs in 2008 and avoided the release of 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Lewisburg-based Playworld Systems cut overall costs and waste through a commitment to pro-active environmental management, including greening their product line by reducing toxic additives.
Best Practices in Greening Manufacturing is sponsored by CPWDC (Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Council), in partnership with the SEDA-COG Energy Resource Center. Funding has been provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
The seminar begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. It is scheduled to end at 11. Best Practices will be held in the Terrace Room of Bucknell’s Langone Center. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required and can be done online at www.seda-cog.org/energy. Registration is $35. Additional information: (570) 524-4491.
June 17, 2009