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3M Receives Coveted TLMI Environmental Leadership Award

Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009

Award given for consistent progressive environmental practices

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M Performance Label Materials today received the 2009 Environmental Leadership Award from the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institutes (TLMI). 3M was presented with the award at the TLMI annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Environmental Leadership Award recognizes TLMI member companies that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to progressive environmental practices across a range of areas including solid waste reduction, recycling, waste or energy recovery, the implementation of new 'clean' technology and/or processes, and the implementation of an education program.

3M Performance Label Materials, part of 3M Industrial Adhesives & Tapes Division and based in Medina, Ohio, continues to demonstrate progressive environmental leadership and stewardship. “Our Medina plant is part of an intensive 3M program called ET-10, meaning Environmental Targets for 2010,” explained Darryl Vaci, plant manager at the Medina plant. “ET-10 sets a series of five-year goals in VOC reduction, energy reduction and waste reduction. Our goal is an aggressive 20- to 25-percent reduction in each category over a span of five years.”

According to Vaci, having specific identified objectives requires the plant to think creatively about reaching goals. The plant reports quarterly on its progress, and is tracking toward meeting goals for reduction while also seeing an improvement in yield rates and enjoying the financial impact of more efficient operations.

Another important aspect of 3M’s environmental sustainability relates to ISO14001 certification. “3M requires all plants with more than 50 employees to earn ISO14001 certification,” said Vaci. “We place this higher standard upon ourselves as a company. It really makes us consider how our actions impact the environment at every stage, from product design to manufacturing and disposal. And the certification places us under external audit for an extra measure of accountability.”

3M has been a leader in environmental stewardship for decades; the company developed its Environmental Department in 1970. These examples of significant environmental progress took place between the years 1990 and 2008:

95% reduction in absolute volatile air emissions.
95% reduction in absolute U.S. TRI releases (2007 emissions, 2008 reporting year).
62% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions.
64% reduction in solid waste indexed to net sales.

According to Joe Petri, product marketer for 3M Performance Label Materials, we embrace this mindset of stewardship and responsibility at all levels of the company. When we are expanding and building new plants around the world, we build to the same standards as we do on U.S. soil. This is our corporate vision, and whether we are at work or at home we can adopt these ideals for all of life.”