Green Manufacturing

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What U.S. Companies are involved in green manufacturing?

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Are you looking for companies that manufacture green products or that incorporate green technology in the manufacturing process?

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Why not both?

[kymsolaris]

Here is an article about a Colorado company switching to green packaging:


Peanut butter company organizes green packaging summit
written by: Randy Barber

BOULDER - When Justin Gold started making peanut and almond butter at his home eight years ago, he never imagined he would lead a mission to change the packaging food comes in.
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Now, Gold produces more than 500,000 squeeze packs a month, which are sold nationwide in stores like King Soopers, Whole Foods, REI and Toys R Us. While Gold is very pleased with the company's success, it has caused some concerns for the former environmental policy law student.

"This is a petroleum based product that comes from oil and when the consumer is done with it goes into a landfill," he explained while holding up a package of Justin's Nut Butter.

Until recently, Gold's and many other companies have been forced to use polyethylene terephthahalate (PET) films which are made from fossil fuels and can not be recycled. Now a new, greener option is on the horizon.

"Our goal is by Earth Day 2011 to be using a biodegradable film," Gold explained.

The new film would allow consumers to recycle the packaging, buy they would have to send it to a commercial compost company.

"It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction," he said.

While the film is available right now and would even work with the oils in peanut butter, Gold's and other companies have been unable to make the switch because the film is very expensive.

"No one can afford it. We certainly can't afford it. We're a really small company, so our goal is to bring everybody together to commit to sustainable packaging. Together we can drive down the cost of the film so everybody can use it," Gold said, outlining his plans.

This summer he is organizing a summit in Boulder to discuss the need for sustainable product packaging. While the company is planning to invite small, environmentally conscious companies, Gold admits convincing large food manufacturers and grocers is crucial.

"Our hope is to get Heinz involved, to get Walmart and Whole Foods to the table," Gold said. "If we can get a lot of companies involved we can all join the bandwagon. Not only can we bring down the cost of film, but we can also leave the world in a better place."

"Heinz the ketchup packets do a billion a month," he continued. "That's a lot of squeeze pack packaging. To be able to take that and bring it back to the Earth and be able to use it as soil - that sounds really silly - but that's my ultimate dream and goal."

Gold does not plan to give up very easily. The vegetarian started making the nut butter for himself, but after he started selling it he could not find anyone to make it his way or in the squeeze packaging he envisioned. The pouches have become popular not only with Gold's original target - athletes, but also active people, like parents.

Now Gold is following his intuition again, determined to make his company's packaging environmentally friendly.

"I've been told my whole life, 'You can't do that, slow down.' This is a great opportunity to keep going and make the world a better place than we found it," he said.

Gold's company was recently selected as one of the 50 Colorado Companies to Watch by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Every Thursday 9NEWS reports about another company, highlighting its success in this difficult economy.