Textile and chemical manufacturer, Milliken & Company, has released its annual Environmental Performance Report that outlines achievements for the 1999 calendar. Milliken initiated an expansive environmental program in 1960 and formally introduced the goal of zero waste generation in 1990 as part of its ongoing total quality management program.
Among a few of the notable accomplishments highlighted in the 1999 environmental report are:
- Zero waste to landfills at 47 of Milliken’s 55 domestic plants including the four facilities that manufacture Milliken’s carpets.
- 1% of the company’s solid waste to landfills in 1999. The elmination of most waste, coupled with innovative recycling techniques, allowed Milliken to reduce waste to landfills from 47% in 1989 to only 1% in 1999.
- Nearly 50% reduction in water usage per pound of product since 1991, while increasing production. This was accomplished by redesigning processes to be less water-intensive and by developing water filtration technologies.
- 16% reduction in energy usage per pound of product since 1991. This represents enough energy so supply 7,700 households per year.
- 98% reduction in the emissions of the 17 chemicals targeted in the Environmental Protection Agency’s voluntary 33/50 program. EPA launched this program in 1988 with the goal of decreasing emissions of these chemicals in stages. Milliken far exceeded the goals years before the EPA-designated dates.
Milliken has also been recipient of many awards, including among many others: Best Industry Recycling Award given by State of South Carolina; EPA’s Environmental Champion Award and the Chemical Product Stewardship Award from National Association of Chemical Distributors’ Educational Foundation. Milliken also received the designation “Leader of the Century” by Textile World magazine, which characterizes the company’s environmental records as “legendary.”
For more information, visit www.millikencarpet.com.
