Mars Chocolate North America Claims Zero Waste-To-Landfill Certification For All Sites

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ -- Since establishing its waste target eight years ago, Mars Chocolate North America has reportedly driven an overall annual reduction of 4,500 tons of waste -- enough refuse to fill 35 football fields, 12" deep.

Mars set a goal of zero waste-to-landfill by 2015, and now all 10 of its manufacturing facilities are certified landfill-free. Its Henderson, NV, site marked the 10th and final facility to achieve the milestone.

To achieve this goal, the organization has focused on efficient operating processes, recycling programs for multiple waste streams, and mutually beneficial partnerships with disposal vendors and local farm reuse programs.

Since 2011, Mars Inc. has aimed to achieve LEED Gold certification for all new major buildings globally, and, to date, 10 facilities have received it. In May, Mars announced the creation of a 200-megawatt wind farm that will generate electricity equivalent to 100% of the power for its U.S. operations, which includes 37 factories.

Next, Mars plans to partner with warehouses and regional distribution centers to adopt similar waste reduction policies.