April 2, 2008

Tyson flashes its green credentials

Tyson Foods have releases a new sustainability report which aims to outline the company's corporate responsibility efforts.

The report "Sustainability - It's in our nature" focuses on economic, social and environmental concerns.

''We believe sustainability is essentially doing the right thing, whether it involves protecting natural resources, creating alternative energy or feeding the hungry,'' said Richard L. Bond, president and CEO of Tyson Foods.

This is the second time Tyson has released an overview of its corporate responsibility efforts. The first report was issued two years ago.

In its first report, Tyson said it would donate 10 million pounds of protein over three years to America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network. The company said it is on track to exceed this goal.

The current report includes input from both internal and external sources, including the company's senior management and key business units, said Kevin Igli, senior vice president and chief environmental, health and safety officer for Tyson.

In the report, Tyson said it has reduced its water usage by 15 percent per pound of finished product over the past two years and intends to implement additional water conservation measures this year.

Working with other companies, Tyson also plans to produce up to 250 million gallons of renewable fuel a year from animal fat within the next three to four years.