Poland Spring recognized by Gov. Baldacci and the Dept. of Environmental Protection as an ‘Environmental Leader of Maine’

Poland Spring achieves 46% fuel reduction as well as 95% waste stream recycling

AUGUSTA, Maine, April 24 /PRNewswire/ — Poland Spring Water Company was recognized today as an “environmental leader” by Governor John Baldacci for reaching key environmental sustainability benchmarks set by the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Innovation. Poland Spring achieved a 46% fuel reduction, far surpassing the 37% goal they set going into 2008. The company also committed to recycling 92% of their waste stream, a goal that was reached by year-end and since surpassed with an impressive 96%.

The program, “Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production” is part of a multi-step environmental sustainability initiative that also includes the “Governor’s Carbon Challenge“. Poland Spring and a handful of other Maine companies each volunteer to reach a series of sustainability targets that they set with the DEP. Poland Spring stepped up to improve sustainability in key areas like fuel use reduction and establishing a forward-thinking recycling program.

Governor Baldacci recognized Poland Spring, saying, “I am pleased that Poland Spring is investing in Maine and committed to preserving our environment, which is tied closely to our quality of life and our economy. We must work together to support good environmental practices, and our corporate citizens like Poland Spring are important partners to building the sustainable practices that will expand opportunities for Mainers now and into the future.”

Julie Churchill, Assistant Director at the DEP Office of Innovation and Assistance, congratulated Poland Spring for surpassing their solid waste and fuel use program goals. “Poland Spring is an example of how companies can utilize smart production concepts,” Churchill said.

Poland Spring has improved its sustainability in a number of key areas including:

• Packaging: Poland Spring’s 1/2 liter bottle uses 30% less plastic than others, and is the lightest branded bottle produced. The result is a third less fuel needed to produce the bottle, a third less carbon from the production process, and a significant reduction in the material used to produce the raw resin.
• Production: All new construction has been built to achieve LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), including their newest plant in Kingfield.
• Transportation: Poland Spring runs the largest biodiesel fuel truck fleet in Maine. This switch to biofuel has resulted in increased fuel efficiency and a carbon reduction of 475 tons/year, the equivalent of taking 105 cars off the road.
• Recycling: In addition to achieving a 92% to 95% recycling rate in all of our plants, Poland Spring also recycles its plastic bottles for reuse as fleece, auto parts, and other valuable products.
• Environmental Management System certification: Poland Spring has earned ISO 14001:2004 certification from the International Standards Organization (ISO). These standards are considered the benchmark for environmental management systems worldwide. Poland Spring is the only bottled water brand to achieve this highest benchmark.

Ron Dyer, Poland Spring’s Regional Safety, Health and Environmental Manager/”Green Guru”, thanked the Governor and the DEP for their work and for helping companies committed to sustainability achieve their goals. “The 800 Maine employees of Poland Spring take their responsibility to environmental sustainability seriously. Maine, after all, is our home too.” Dyer went on to say, “Poland Spring will continue to work hard every day to find new efficiencies and innovative technologies to support and increase our investment in Maine.”

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Innovation operates the “Environmental Leaders of Maine: Smart Growth through Smart Production” program. For more information contact the DEP toll-free at 1-800-789-9802 or visit their web site.

ABOUT POLAND SPRING: Since 1845, Poland Spring has been using an abundant, renewable resource to make the most popular spring water brand in the Unites States. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring, Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, opened in February of this year, represents a $60 million investment and 40+ new jobs in western Maine. Poland Spring also operates satellite spring sources located in Fryeburg, Poland, Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township and St. Albans. Today Poland Spring:

• Employs 800 Maine people across the state
• Has invested over $439 million in capital in Maine since 1992
• Provides about $40 million to the economy in payroll
• Spends over $65 million directly with Maine vendors
• Has invested over $2.5 million in community giving since 2000 to support schools, fire and rescue, environmental conservation, and many local and statewide causes.

SOURCE Poland Spring