Malt-O-Meal® Wins Regional Environmental Award

MINNEAPOLIS, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Malt-O-Meal Company has won the Industrial Environmental Achievement (IEA) Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions in waste minimization, pollution prevention, environmental compliance, and environmental stewardship.

Awarded by the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA), the IEA Award is given to one industry per year and was established to recognize the acts of members and companies who are taking steps to increase environmental awareness, and reduce pollution and wastewater emissions from its manufacturing operations.

Malt-O-Meal was chosen for this award due to its efforts to reduce the amount of food waste generated at its manufacturing facility located in Northfield, MN, and for use of a unique system to collect unusable liquid food materials and use this material as animal feed or soil additives. With these practices, Malt-O-Meal is able to take material that most food plants would consider waste and find additional uses for it. This eliminates the need for expensive treatment of wastewater.

"Food plants can generate a lot of wastewater with food waste in it that needs to be treated before it can be released into the environment," says Katy Gillispie, Environmental Manager for Malt-O-Meal. "Through our innovative processes, we've reduced both the volume of wastewater and the amount of food waste in that water, thus saving money and benefitting the environment."

Malt-O-Meal also has a variety of other environmental programs that work to reduce energy and water consumption at the Northfield, MN plant. Between 1996 and 2009, Malt-O-Meal has reduced the amount of water and energy used at this plant to manufacture its cereals by 35% and 9%, respectively. Malt-O-Meal packages its cereals in convenient re-sealable bags, which contribute significantly to a reduction in consumer packaging and disposable waste. By eliminating the exterior box, Malt-O-Meal has reduced the amount of consumer packaging by 75 percent as compared to cereals packaged in a box.

"Over 20 million families start their mornings with a breakfast that includes Malt-O-Meal cereal," says Consumer Marketing Manager Linda Fisher. "At Malt-O-Meal we are always looking for ways to conserve energy, consume fewer natural resources, and be better stewards of our planet. We truly believe that our bags are a better packaging solution for the environment, and we are honored to be recognized for our conservation efforts."

Malt-O-Meal will accept the IEA award at the CSWEA's 84th Annual Banquet on May 18, 2011 at Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, MN.

About Malt-O-Meal

Founded by John S. Campbell, Malt-O-Meal is the largest family owned cereal company in the U.S. The company has delivered quality cereal products and service since 1919, and manufactures many varieties of oatmeal, family-favorite ready-to-eat and all-natural cereals as well as its original, farina-based hot cereal. Today, one in 10 servings of breakfast cereal eaten every day is a Malt-O-Meal brand cereal. Dedicated to providing families access to better breakfasts at better prices, Malt-O-Meal is continually innovating to produce, package and transport its cereals in ways that reduce environmental impact. In addition to the Northfield, MN facility, the company operates production facilities in Minnesota, Utah, Iowa, and North Carolina and distribution centers in Minnesota, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. For more information about Malt-O-Meal and its cereal products please visit www.Malt-O-Meal.com or www.BagTheBox.com.

About CSWEA

Formed in 1927, the Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA) is an organization offering multiple opportunities for the exchange of water quality, knowledge, and experiences among its members and the public, and to foster a greater awareness of water quality achievements and challenges. CSWEA-MN is part of CSWEA, a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) consisting of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin members.

SOURCE Malt-O-Meal Company