Recovery and recycling program is a natural evolution of Diamond’s greenbox sustainability initiative. 

ROCHESTER, NY – Diamond Packaging today announced that it has achieved zero manufacturing waste to landfill status, an important milestone towards meeting its future goal of zero waste to landfill. The recovery and recycling program is a natural evolution of the company’s greenbox sustainability initiative and one which will provide long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Zero manufacturing waste to landfill is defined by Diamond Packaging as 100% landfill waste diversion through a combination of recycling and energy recovery solutions. In Diamond’s case it accounts for all waste related to the manufacture of folding cartons, including paperboard, plastic, metal, industrial waste, and regulated waste, with the exception of construction and demolition (CD) waste.

Diamond achieved its goal through strategic partnerships with Cascades Recovery, Covanta Sustainable Solutions Group, and Advanced Waste Solutions. A collaborative task force was created to audit manufacturing and recovery methods and seek positive end-of-life scenarios (solutions) for all waste streams.

“Zero manufacturing waste to landfill is an important goal and one that demonstrates our leadership in producing more sustainable packaging,” said Karla Fichter, CEO and owner of Diamond Packaging. “Our customers and their stakeholders alike recognize and value our shared commitment to a greener future.”

“Diamond Packaging is a genuine example of what industry can and is doing with their discarded materials to minimize the impact on the environment and society,” said Albino Metauro, CEO of Cascades Recovery. “Cascades Recovery congratulates Diamond Packaging for their vision to find better ways to manage their discarded materials and allowing us to participate in achieving ‘zero manufacturing waste to landfill.’”

“Diamond's employees should take great pride in achieving zero manufacturing waste to landfill,” said Jim Hall, Vice President of Covanta Sustainable Solutions. “It's not an easy task and clearly demonstrates a strong and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. Covanta is proud of our role in helping them have a great story to tell.”

To achieve zero manufacturing waste to landfill status, Diamond’s two manufacturing facilities reduced their overall waste streams and increased recycling rates to approximately 98 percent. All remaining waste is sent for fuels blending or to Covanta Energy for Energy-from-Waste (EfW), eliminating the need for landfill disposal. Energy-from-Waste (or waste-to-energy) facilities offer a safe, technologically advanced means of beneficially reusing Diamond Packaging waste material while also generating clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting recycling through the recovery of metals. These alternative energy sources also reduce the need for fossil fuels.

The zero manufacturing waste to landfill initiative provides economic benefits through improved recovery and recycling rates for paperboard, plastic, and metals, and reduced overall disposal costs.

Diamond’s recovery and recycling program is a natural evolution of its greenbox initiative to research, design, and implement packaging solutions that are innovative and sustainable.

The core of the initiative – designs, materials, and methods – represents a comprehensive approach to packaging that minimizes environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Through creative design, careful material selection, and best practices at the plant level, Diamond is able to minimize waste, reduce shipping costs and increase efficiencies – all of which support a sustainable use of resources and cultivate a positive emotional connection to the brand.