Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Award

ProFood World will recognize outstanding food and beverage processing and packaging innovation projects via the eighth annual Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards competition. 

These annual peer-reviewed awards recognize manufacturing plants for their efforts in driving improved performance through sustainability, honoring those companies and individuals that seek to go beyond environmental compliance. Specifically, the awards focus on pollution prevention, enhanced environmental protection and stewardship, as well as compliance assurance.

Submissions are due April 21, 2023. Please be sure to submit your entry into the correct Program or Project Category and download the proper corresponding submission form. The Program Category is defined as an on-going program, company-wide or multi-facility program. The Project Category is defined by one-time project. (It may later be rolled out to other facilities after completion of project at one facility.)

Please submit all entries to Aaron Hand, ahand@pmmimediagroup.com.

Eligibility: Programs and projects must be completed and operational between November 2021 and December 2022.

Examples:

A Program Category entry could be zero waste to landfill. (This takes ongoing effort to keep it in place.)
A Project Category entry could be installing solar panels. (This requires normal maintenance.)

» Download the Program Category Submission Form

View an example of a previous first-place program submission

» Download the Project Category Submission Form

View an example of a previous first-place project submission

» Download the Processor/Supplier Partnership Category Submission Form

Multiple awards will be named in the Program, Project, and Processor/Supplier Partnership categories, including reduction in water and energy, waste conservation, pollution prevention, packaging materials reductions and more.

Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards Past Winners

2021
Project Category
Conagra Brands, Irapuato, Mexico: Saving Water for the Future
Smithfield Foods, Milan, Missouri: Reusable Combos
Conagra Brands, Marshall, Mo. – Blast Cell Air Optimization 

Program Category
Conagra Brands, Oakdale, California: Tomato & Jalapeño Waste Reduction
Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods Milwaukie, Oregon: Wasted Food Rescue & Materials Management
Conagra Brands, Troy, Ohio: MEGA Pizza Yield Improvement

2020
Project Category
Smithfield Foods, Sioux City, IA: Cardboard Reduction
Smithfield Foods, Kinston, NC: Air Knife Energy Reduction
Tie: Conagra Brands, Maple Grove, MN: Pacing Paper Waste
Smithfield Foods, Kinston, NC: Packaging Reduction Project

Program Category
B&G Foods, Cincinnati, OH: Water Reduction
Conagra Brands, Menomonie, WI: Compressed Air, Steam, and Vacuum Leak Reduction
Tie: Conagra Brands, Waterloo, IA: Zero Waste Recycling Efforts
Conagra Brands, Fennville, MI: Cherry Fresh Pack Water Reduction

Processor/Supplier Partnership Category
Liffey Meats, Ireland, and Graphic Packaging International: PaperSeal Tray

2019
Project Category
McCormick & Company
Smithfield Foods
Hiland Dairy
Conagra Brands

2016
Project Category
Snyder's-Lance, Inc.
Pepperidge Farm
Keystone Foods

Program Category
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Packaged Food Group
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

2015
Project Category
Snyder's-Lance, Inc.
Pepperidge Farm
Keystone Foods

Program Category
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Packaged Food Group
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

For more information, please contact:
Aaron Hand, Editor in Chief of ProFood World
Phone: 312-488-3392
ahand@pmmimediagroup.com

Learn more about grants available from EPA

View food manufacturing pollution prevention techniques from EPA