GREELEY, Colo., March 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JBS USA, a subsidiary of the world's largest animal protein producer, JBS S.A., was recently announced as a winner of the McDonald's 2012 "Best of Sustainable Supply" award. McDonald's, the world's leading global foodservice retailer, recognized JBS for two sustainability projects that resulted in improvements in water conservation and waste reduction.
Water Conservation
JBS USA's beef plants in Greeley, Colorado, and Cactus, Texas, both lie in semi-arid regions, where water is expensive and in short supply. JBS developed aggressive water conservation programs at both facilities, and as a result, the company was able to reduce combined water usage by more than 10 percent, saving more than 230 million gallons of water per year – an annual savings of enough water to supply more than 2,000 homes for an entire year.
Waste Reduction
JBS USA's beef unit also recognized an opportunity to reduce waste from its facilities by recovering animal grease from waste products, ultimately reducing the environmental impact of the wastewater treatment process. In traditional wastewater treatment systems, a sludge resulting from animal grease and solids is produced that is often used for land application. Six of the company's eight beef plants have now implemented a grease recovery system that separates this sludge into water that often yields beneficial biogas; high quality grease that can be marketed and sold; and non-grease-bearing solids that can safely be transferred for land application. Once the system is implemented in all JBS beef plants, the company will reduce land application by over 175,000 tons per year.
Jose Armario, executive vice president, McDonald's Global Supply Chain, Development and Franchising, noted that he was impressed by JBS's responsiveness throughout the project and by the company's consistent demonstration of sustainability leadership. "JBS's efforts are helping make a positive impact on the world at large, and are contributing to a stronger McDonald's," said the executive.
Conscious of its economic, social and environmental responsibility, JBS adopts strict internal controls to ensure that the company's activities follow the highest international standards. Moreover, JBS is highly committed to sustainable practices, as evidenced by its active participation in the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and in the Brazil-based Working Group of Sustainable Livestock (GTPS), as well as its work in numerous ongoing projects in the areas of corporate responsibility and sustainable resource management.
McDonald's Best of Sustainable Supply winners are companies that implement innovative and effective ways to address challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities, and employee wellness across the world.
The full report can be accessed at http://aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/sustainability/signature_programs/best_practices.html.