Dive Brief:
- Mars Chocolate North America announced that its 10 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. are all certified landfill-free.
- The chocolatier created its waste goals in 2007 and set out to become zero waste by 2015.
- Mars also intends to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions from its direct operations by 2040.
Dive Insight:
The company highlighted three areas vital in achieving its goal: establish an efficient operating process, implement recycling programs for multiple waste streams, and create partnerships with haulers and agricultural re-use programs at a local level.
Mars has aimed to achieve LEED Gold certification for all its new major buildings since 2011, and so far 10 buildings have succeeded. Mars is also aiming for a future partnership with regional distribution centers and warehouses to continue improving their waste reduction policies.