As part of our ongoing effort to reduce our environmental impact, we are pursuing ways to reduce waste generated and to increase our use of recycling.
At Philip Morris USA, one of our goals is to generate less solid waste by using fewer materials. Our facilities follow a program of continuous improvement under the principles of "lean manufacturing." By minimizing the amount of materials we use and by improving the efficiency of our processes, we strive to minimize waste generation from the outset.
PM USA recycles a substantial portion of the solid waste we generate. We send many regulated waste streams for reclamation or recycling, including:
- fluorescent lights and ballasts
- scrap metals
- batteries
- used solvents
- used oil
- refrigerants
We've set a goal to reduce the amount of solid waste we dispose of by 15 percent by the end of 2008.
- In 2004, PM USA recycled about 25 percent of the total solid waste generated at our facilities. Through 2007, our recycling increased to about 58 percent of all waste generated.
- In 2006, we began a new recycling initiative at all office facilities so that employees can now combine common recyclables like plastic bottles, aluminum cans and office paper in the same recycling container, making it easier to recycle more waste. As a result of this program, we expect to recycle more than 40 tons of this material each year.
- In 2007, much of the solid waste generated at our Park 500 operations and ash waste from boiler coal consumption is being diverted to a composting operation; this should significantly reduce the amount of waste we send to municipal landfills.
Since 2002, PM USA has collaborated with Keep America Beautiful (KAB), a national leader in litter prevention, to research, develop and launch a multi-year
Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) specifically to address the issue of cigarette butt litter. KAB, through its affiliates and partner organizations, has implemented the program in more than 180 communities nationwide.
