SUFFOLK, VA – April 7, 2017 – Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA (MZB) was recognized with a 2017 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award during a ceremony Tuesday evening at the 28th Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced that MZB received a Silver Award for the company’s significant achievements in sustainable manufacturing practices and leadership within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. Other winners represent businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies from throughout the Commonwealth.
MZB was specifically recognized for the launch of the PURPOD100™ single-serve coffee pod. PURPOD100 is certified 100 percent compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) to break down in commercial composting facilities in less than 100 days. It is made from more than 90 percent renewable resources, and the ring of the pod is made from coffee chaff. Every single part of the PURPOD100 is designed to be digestible by, and accessible for, bacteria. For every 100,000 compostable coffee pods that are sent to composting after they have been used, one ton of coffee grounds (dry weight) or two tons of coffee grounds (wet weight) is diverted from landfills.
“Our company prides itself on the many examples of our commitment to sustainable manufacturing and the responsible stewardship of our raw material – coffee – from seed to cup,” said Sarah Cunningham, Senior Brand Manager at Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA. “This award recognizes the hard work and creativity of our employees and the support of our vendors and retailers. It will serve to encourage us to do more in the years to come.”
Gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention award winning programs are chosen based on criteria including environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability and innovativeness. The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
A full list of the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards is available on the DEQ website, www.deq.virginia.gov. For more information on the awards, contact Meghann Quinn at 804-698-4021 or meghann.quinn@deq.virginia.gov.