Posted: September 30, 2009
Sustainability program seeks to reduce company’s carbon footprint
DENVER—Ice-O-Matic® has partnered with American Forests’ Global ReLeaf to launch an industry-leading initiative, called Green ReLeaf™, designed to lower the company’s carbon footprint and the carbon footprint of many companies the size of Ice-O-Matic. Over the next several years, Ice-O-Matic® will plant a tree for every ice machine it sells. The goal of the program is to plant 150,000 trees. “The Green ReLeaf program is one part of our commitment to the global environment and a move toward sustainability in every aspect of our business,” said Keith Kelly, Senior vice president of sales, marketing & engineering at Ice-O-Matic®. “In addition to our Green ReLeaf program, we also use recycled materials in our packaging and manufacturing processes, and recycle industrial and office waste whenever possible.”
Ice-O-Matic’s Green ReLeaf program will contribute to the reforestation of key regions throughout the world. “We have already committed to planting enough trees to offset the entire carbon footprint of our Denver factory,” says Kelly. “Within five years, we’ll have planted enough to absorb the CO2 emissions from more than 15 factories of comparable size every year. Trees reduce topsoil erosion, prevent harmful land pollutants from getting into our waterways, and replace air pollutants with fresh, clean oxygen.”
According to American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program—
Over one year, an acre of trees absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as that produced by driving a car 26,000 miles
A single mature tree can absorb CO2 at a rate of 48 lb. per year
“By reaching our goal of planting 150,000 trees,” Kelly explains, “We will reduce the carbon dioxide in our air by more than 7 million pounds annually. Our hope is to educate our employees, customers and the industry that while sustainability is a huge topic, there are simple, basic steps we can all take to make a difference.”
For more on Ice-O-Matic’s Green ReLeaf program, visit www.iceomatic.com. For more on the American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program, visit www.americanforests.org/global_releaf.
Ice-O-Matic®, based in Denver Colorado, is a leading manufacturer of commercial ice makers and dispensers for the global foodservice industry and. For more than 50 years, the ISO9001-2000 certified company has manufactured superior-quality ice makers, bins and dispensers with stringent quality standards, design innovation and unmatched customer satisfaction – all backed by the F.A.S.T. service program. Ice-O-Matic® also provides water filtration systems designed to improve water quality and ice machine performance in virtually any environment. To learn more about Ice-O-Matic®, visit www.iceomatic.com or call 866.PURE.ICE.