Ozarks GreenScore hosted a ceremony today at Dairy Farmers of America's (DFA) Springfield, Mo., facility to recognize the plant's commitment to sustainability and resulting Ozarks GreenScore Gold Level award.

DFA logoOzarks GreenScore is a voluntary, non-regulatory program designed to educate, assist and recognize area businesses and organizations as they adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

To be considered environmentally sustainable, organizations must score highly on evaluated criteria such as waste management, energy management, policy management, water conservation, and air and water quality protection.

"We have a strong commitment to sustainability, and the staff and management at our Springfield plant have completed an impressive list of accomplishments, with more being planned for the future," said Ed Tilley, chief operating officer of contract manufacturing for DFA.

Among the notable activities that helped DFA attain Gold level status are:

• Introduction of an employee sustainability task force and a suggestion box for employees, as well as education opportunities for all employees
• Upgraded lighting, including installing motion detectors/light level detectors where appropriate; implementing weekend shutdown procedures for lighting; and labeling light switches with a reminder to turn off when not in use
• Replacing 70 percent of roofing with increased insulation levels and white, reflective material
• A partnership with Drury University and interns to investigate water saving techniques in the main plant
• Improvements to the plant's compressed air system with upgrades to piping, controls and the establishment of a leak check program
• Purchasing only high-efficiency motors and replacing inefficient units
• Working on the waste recycling projects that generated more than $89,000 in grants to install waste recycling equipment

Based on their evaluated criteria scores, organizations are awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Green level award. If organizations would like to raise their GreenScore, informational resources and technical assistance are available to identify and implement additional sustainable opportunities.

Ozarks Green Source has nearly 20 organizations and agencies offering technical assistance, including: Drury University's Ozarks Center for Sustainable Solutions; Drury Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE); and the Partnership for Sustainability and Springfield/Greene County Choose Environmental Excellence.

For further information, visit www.OzarksGreenScore.com and www.OzarksEnvironment.com .

07.12.2012