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Our Environmental Responsibility
Hormel Foods understands that our operations impact the environment and that we control our actions. The production and transportation of consumer goods impacts the environment by consuming energy and water and producing air emissions and waste. Our products travel to stores and restaurants in more than 40 countries by rail, truck and ship. Once purchased, the product packaging is disposed of by consumers. Through this report, our aim is to clearly state what we are doing to mitigate these impacts. Read our environmental policy for more information about the commitment our locations have made toward environmental sustainability objectives.
Establishing a Baseline
To consistently report progress toward reducing our environmental impact, we started by collecting information to establish a baseline. The baseline was measured by a group of designated personnel working at our facilities. These individuals work closely with the engineering department at our corporate headquarters to identify ways to reduce our environmental impact. Since 2000, we added 17 plants to our baseline measurement, including two additional facilities since our 2007 report. We are proud to note that this report includes energy, solid waste, water and greenhouse gas (GHG) data for all 41 U.S. manufacturing facilities.
To track and monitor our progress toward meeting environmental requirements, a web-based Environmental Management System is used throughout the company. This system includes compliance calendars, policy and procedure information and environmental training materials.
Knowledge Sharing and Training
To achieve our environmental goals we must continually improve our practices, such as enhancing information sharing. In April 2008, we held a company-wide environmental conference to discuss environmental improvement projects and to encourage knowledge sharing among Hormel Foods’ plant engineers from around the country. Additionally, we require routine environmental training covering storm water, wastewater and air emission programs, as well as the proper handling and transportation of waste materials.
Hazardous Waste
Our operations generate very low volumes of regulated hazardous waste. Most of our locations are well within the federal definition of a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator. When hazardous waste is generated, our facilities adhere to strict operational standards that have been designed to assure compliance with all applicable hazardous waste rules. Our operations generate small quantities of other regulated substances, such as used oil and universal waste. As with the generation of hazardous waste, strict standards are applied to assure compliance with regulatory standards.
Compliance
Our expectation is to comply with local, state and federal laws at all times. Our overall compliance history has been good, but there is room for improvement. During fiscal year 2008, we received six Notice of Violations (NOV) with monetary penalties totaling $181,300. The NOVs were related to air emissions (4), solid waste (1) and wastewater (1). In fiscal year 2007, we received three NOVs for air emissions (2) and wastewater (1) that amounted to $33,250 in penalties. We have worked cooperatively with regulators to assure the prompt resolution of these matters.
Key Successes and Recognition
Facility teams are continuously working with our suppliers and with managers throughout the company to raise awareness about sustainability efforts. Through continuous educational efforts using various internal communications mediums, we have informed employees about resource-saving projects and the importance of focusing on conserving resources. Our long-term corporate goals include aggressive sustainability initiatives that tie directly to our continuous-improvement culture.
To encourage innovative solutions at our plants, we expanded our Best of the Best competition to include a sustainability category. Plants applying for this award have to demonstrate how their employees are working to achieve goals through special projects that are targeted toward decreasing the plant’s impact on the environment.
The Best of the Best entry at our Austin, MN, Plant provided a shinning example of the value this program plays in our environmental stewardship. Their entry was a plant-wide effort to reduce energy and water consumption and to improve recycling throughout the facility. The plant’s use of checklists, communication and operator training led to a reduction of water use by more than 73 million gallons per year. They also increased recycling by 9 percent and energy use remained flat despite increased production levels. Because this facility accounts for about 20 percent of the water and energy used by the entire corporation, its efforts have a significant impact on our sustainability initiatives.
In addition to our internal efforts, representatives from Hormel Foods participate in industry sustainability initiatives with the American Meat Institute (AMI), Food Industry Environmental Council, Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association.
Hormel Foods actively participates in the AMI Environmental Recognition Program. AMI’s environmental awards program recognizes industry excellence in environmental practices for companies dedicated to the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems. In 2008, the company received awards at 25 of its 27 eligible meat processing facilities, which represented our largest group of winners yet. The locations receiving this award developed an environmental policy, received commitment from upper management, adopted at least five energy and environmental practices, established objectives and targets and continuously reviewed existing programs to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.
The recognition awards range from a Tier 1 to Tier 4. In 2008, manufacturing facilities at Hormel Foods received two Tier 1 awards, four Tier 2 awards and 19 Tier 3 awards. A full list of facilities and the Tier award it received is listed on AMI’s website.
In fiscal year 2008, individual plant locations were recognized with additional awards related to their environmental efforts:
- Jennie-O Turkey Store Plant in Barron, WI, was awarded the Water Environment Federation Gascoigne Medal for wastewater treatment plant operational improvements;
- Rochelle Foods Plant in Rochelle, IL, was recognized by the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department for their recycling efforts; and
- Our Hormel Foods Plant in Beloit, WI, was presented with a Certificate of Award by The City of Beloit in recognition of the plant’s general environmental compliance during 2007. The City of Beloit also presented a Certificate of Award to Tom Heth, laboratory manager, for "Environmental Contact Person for 2007."
We implement capital improvements and plant assessments to meet our energy reduction goals.
We aim to reduce water consumption by 2 percent per year for five years.
We focus efforts on increasing recycling and reducing solid waste.
We report on direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.