Getting wise

Recycling Today, Nov, 2004

Spartech Corp. has received the 2004 Recycling Award from the St. Louis Metropolitan Chapter of the National Association of Environmental Management (NAEM).

The NAEM Recycling Award is presented annually to a St. Louis company that demonstrates excellence by improving the volume and diversification of its recycling program.

Bryan Kury, NAEM board member, and Doug Marian, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Chapter of NAEM, congratulated the company on its contributions to the St. Louis community during a brief presentation at Spartech's Clayton, Mo., offices.

The company has been a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise program since 2001 and has been recognized annually for its continual improvement in solid waste reduction and in recycling.

Suzanne Riney, director of EHS and Quality, says, "Disposal of scrap materials, wood pallets and cardboard packaging wastes were dramatically reduced at 22 plants and, in some cases, almost completely eliminated. At the same time, the associated reduction in landfill disposal costs and raw material costs contributed favorably to the company's conversion costs."

Bradley B. Buechler, Spartech's chairman, president and CEO, says, "We certainly appreciate the NAEM's 2004 Recycling Award as it further validates our company's efforts in the environmental arena. In addition, the WasteWise program represents an excellent example of how recycling not only reduces waste, but reduces cost as well."

Spartech makes engineered thermoplastic materials, polymeric com pounds and molded and profile products, with 48 plants located throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe, with annual production capacity of more than 1.4 billion pounds and sales of nearly $1 billion annually.