North Kingstown, Rhode Island - Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is pleased to announce that it has received the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute's (TLMI) 2010 Environmental Leadership Award. The prestigious award, presented at the TLMI Annual Meeting in October, recognizes TLMI members that have consistently demonstrated a commitment to progressive environmental practices across a range of areas, including solid-waste reduction, recycling, waste or energy recovery, and the implementation of new 'clean' technology and/or processes and an education program. Toray competed against 26 other companies for one of two awards presented this year. An independent panel of judges from peer organizations selected Toray for the Technical Innovation Category. Milan Moscaritolo, Director of Sales and Marketing, Lumirror Polyester Film Division accepted the award on Toray's behalf.  Toray Plastics (America) is the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications. Toray's label materials include Lumirror clear and metallized polyester films and Ecodear bio-based films made from renewable resources.

In 2004 Toray launched a comprehensive sustainability initiative which has greatly improved its environmental profile and now saves the company 29 million gallons of water, 8.5 million KWHs of electricity, and 10.1 billion BTUs annually. Operational innovations have also contributed to zero landfill waste. In 2011 Toray will begin construction on a solar farm at its headquarters in Kingstown, Rhode Island. TLMI cited Toray as a company that has focused on energy conservation, the reduction of solid waste to landfills, water conservation, and a commitment to the use of future technologies that include solar and wind turbines.

"Environmental stewardship is a core principle of Toray," says Moscaritolo. "We are honored to be recognized for our efforts and pleased to be affiliated with TLMI, an organization dedicated to enhancing sustainability within the industry." Calvin Frost, CEO of Channeled Resources Group and TLMI Environmental Committee Chair, noted that this is the eighth year of the award's presentation and its recognition of leaders in environmental awareness.