State environmental officials today recognized the Leggett & Platt facility in High Point as a steward for its outstanding environmental performance.
Michael S. Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, presented plant officials at the site with a plaque recognizing the facility as a 2017 Environmental Steward – one of only 29 facilities in North Carolina to earn the coveted designation for a commitment to superior environmental performance.
“Leggett & Platt joins an elite number of organizations across North Carolina that strive for and achieve environmental excellence,” said Regan. “It’s commitment to setting and obtaining high environmental standards highlights its dedication to the state and exemplifies its roles as an environmental leader. Leggett & Platt is a model environmental steward that works hard to optimize production, reduce waste and energy use and create a culture of environmental awareness.”
To become an environmental steward, organizations and businesses like Leggett & Platt must demonstrate environmental leadership through a commitment to outstanding environmental performance beyond what is required by regulations. Stewards represent the highest of three levels of recognition for environmental performance in the state’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative.
Leggett & Platt manufactures furniture seating systems, including springs, metal frames and other components. The site was recommended for recognition as an environmental steward because it achieved zero-waste-to-landfill in 2014 and has continued to maintain it. It has implemented numerous changes to significantly reduce packaging usage. It also has reduced its electrical usage by 21 percent and natural gas usage by 33 percent over the past two years. This facility has a strong community presence including recycling demonstrations at local pre-schools and works with the local community to provide environmental leadership.
“Leggett & Platt is proud of its partners at the High Point Furniture location that have worked so hard to achieve the Steward Level in the North Carolina Environmental Stewardship Initiative,” said Theresa Block, staff vice president of Corporate Environmental Affairs. “High Point Furniture volunteered to implement the AHFA environmental sustainability program ‘Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture’ back in 2009. The facility excelled at implementing sustainability projects and goals, involving all employees in the program. High Point Spring achieved ‘landfill-free’ status in 2014, diverting 41 tons of solid waste from the landfill each year. The partners at High Point Furniture truly do display the qualities of the Steward Level with a commitment to environmental performance beyond what is required by law; an EMS system that is integrated into all of its business functions; and by continually being involved in their community and with fellow Leggett & Platt branches to promote environmental sustainability.”
Recommendations for stewards are provided to the department's secretary following a rigorous review of environmental performance by DEQ staff and an external advisory board. The ESI promotes and encourages superior environmental performance by North Carolina organizations. This voluntary program was established in 2002 to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and exceed regulatory requirements.
For more information, visit the Environmental Stewardship Initiative’s website, www.ncesi.org, or contact Angela Barger or Davy Conners, co-managers of the Environmental Stewardship Initiative, at 877-623-6748 or esi@ncdenr.gov.