Nice-Pak/PDI Converts Manufacturing Plant to "Zero Landfill"

ORANGEBURG, N.Y., Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nice-Pak/PDI, the global leader in wet wipe product manufacturing and a founding member of the Sustainability Consortium, has announced the transformation of its Orangeburg, New York manufacturing plant into a "zero landfill" facility. The plant now sends its more than 2,000 tons of non-recyclable waste per year to a waste-to-energy facility in Peekskill, New York, where it provides fuel for electricity generation.  

"Over the past several years we have worked hard to maximize our in-plant recycling rate.  Now, we are using the small percentage of waste that is non-recyclable to produce cleaner electricity," said Adam Lurie, Vice President of Operations at Orangeburg. "Every year, this eliminates approximately 250,000 cubic feet of landfill, replaces 10 railcars of coal that would otherwise be burned to generate that same electricity, and reduces greenhouse gas production by 1,967 metric tons of CO2-e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent).  That's like removing 380 passenger cars from the road, according to EPA figures."

Nice-Pak/PDI has already exceeded its goal of a 50 percent reduction in total solid waste to landfill in three years. As a result of the company's ongoing "War on Waste," three of four U.S. manufacturing facilities recycle all cardboard boxes, barrels and shrink wrap, and send the balance of materials to local waste-to-energy facilities. The company's fourth U.S. manufacturing facility will be converted to "zero landfill" in the near future.

"Our products touch consumers more than 100 billion times a year. We have an opportunity to make a significant difference through environmentally responsible actions and to help educate families and communities about the important role they can have in protecting our environment," said Robert Julius, Chairman and CEO.

Sustainability at Nice-Pak/PDI extends beyond waste management. The company's long-term sustainability strategy addresses Energy Use & GHG Emissions, Materials Efficiency, Components & Chemistry, Water Impact, and Community Education.  As a step toward harmonizing company-wide activity, the company launched a strategic plan in January 2011 to coordinate sustainability initiatives at its individual facilities. For more information visit http://sustainability.nicepakwipes.com/.

Nice-Pak, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Orangeburg, NY is the largest global producer of pre-moistened wipes, including brands such as the original Wet-Nap® Moist Towelettes, Sani-Hands® Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes. The company pioneered the development of pre-moistened wipes as the optimum dispensing system for cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting in healthcare, household, cosmetic and personal hygiene applications. Nice-Pak/PDI leverages state-of-the-art product development and manufacturing capabilities to supply superior, leading-edge products to every class of trade. For more information, visit www.nicepak.com or www.pdipdi.com.

SOURCE Nice-Pak/PDI