Mountain Rose Herbs Awarded for Trashbustin' Efforts

    EUGENE, OR, December 10, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Lane County Board of Commissioners has honored Mountain Rose Herbs for their extensive company-wide recycling and composting program, selecting the organic herb supplier for the 2010 Product Manufacturer Trashbuster Award. Each year, individuals, businesses, and organizations in Lane County are recognized for exemplary waste reduction efforts as part of National America Recycles Day, held on November 15th.

Organizers of the Trashbuster Awards were impressed by the level of commitment the Eugene based company has shown to reducing waste produced through their daily operations. The herbal products manufacturer has implemented innovative procedures to create a successful Zero Waste facility by recycling, re-using, composting, or reclaiming materials that are typically regarded as trash. Mountain Rose Herbs went from producing 3,300 gallons of waste per month, a normal amount for a processor, to about 80-100 gallons per month within a few years of starting their waste recovery program.

"We now have 115 full-time employees with four separate facilities, so reducing our waste to an amount that is comparable to a 4 person household has been an incredible feat. We're just thrilled to be recognized for work that we consider crucial to the health of our employees, our community, and the planet," said Erin McIntosh, Communications Manager for Mountain Rose Herbs.

The break rooms, production warehouse, and offices have sorting canisters for comingle recycling, glass recycling, rigid plastics, compost, and landfill. All waste materials are collected and then hand sorted for proper reclamation by Snake Harrington, the full-time master recycler at Mountain Rose Herbs, including the backs of product labels, plastic bags, scrap metal from barrels, poly-woven bags, cans, glass bottles, herbal refuse material, plastic buckets, essential oils, vegetable oils, food scraps, and more. The company has also posted boards tacked with commonly found waste items to help educate employees about materials that can be recycled and composted.

"Reduce, reuse, and recycle is not just a phrase for school kids anymore," said Sarah Grimm, Waste Reduction Specialist for Lane County. "It is a quiet, untapped money making strategy that businesses big and small can employ to maximize efficiency and maintain competitiveness."

Other recipients honored with 2010 Trashbuster Awards include Waste Free Oregon, Rodney Bloom, MECCA, and BJ Hurwich.

Contact:
Erin McIntosh
Communications Manager
Mountain Rose Herbs
800-879-3337 x 129
[email protected]

About Mountain Rose Herbs
Since 1987, Mountain Rose Herbs, based in Eugene, Oregon, has been known for its uncompromising commitment to organic agriculture, sustainable business practices, and steadfast focus on the pure aesthetics and freshness of botanical products. Their wide range of product offerings includes bulk herbs and spices, aromatherapy and essential oils, tea and tea supplies, and natural health and body care. Every aspect of product creation is carried out in accordance to strict quality control and organic handling procedures by employees who care. From their fragrant and beyond-fresh organic herbs and spices, to soothing essential oils and delicious herbal teas, the quality and integrity of Mountain Rose Herbs is unparalleled - with smiles guaranteed. To learn more about Mountain Rose Herbs please visit www.mountainroseherbs.com.

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