EPA Recognizes Curtis Packaging As Leading Green Power Purchaser

Curtis Packaging Corporation announced that it appears on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Top 20 Printers List of the largest green power purchasers in the commercial printing business. Curtis Packaging is purchasing nearly six million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use.

Curtis Packaging is buying renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Community Energy.

The Top 20 Printers List, which debuted on July 27, is one of nine Top Partner Lists that EPA releases quarterly, highlighting some of America’s largest green power purchasers. Curtis Packaging Corporation currently ranks No. 8 on EPA’s Top 20 Printers List.

“We thank the EPA for recognizing our commitment to the environment and our community” said Don Droppo, Jr, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “It is an honor to be part of such an exciting green movement. One where our customers and the community value the commitment we’ve made to a safe and secure energy future.”

This purchase also qualifies Curtis Packaging Corporation for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership’s minimum requirement organizationwide.

 Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources.

Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.

 “EPA commends our leading partners for their continued commitment to protecting the environment by using green power,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division at EPA. “By supporting green power, Curtis Packaging Corporation is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, supporting clean energy technologies, and contributing to a clean energy future.”

 According to the EPA, Curtis Packaging Corporation’s green power purchase of nearly six million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 1,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 1,000 average American homes annually.

Curtis Packaging was founded in Sandy Hook in 1845, and is a state-of-the-art designer and manufacturer of custom folding cartons. The organization is one of the first printing and packaging companies in North America to be: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) certified, use 100 percent renewable energy, and to be 100 percent carbon neutral.

To expand the company’s role in environmental leadership, Curtis has also joined the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), which advocates the use of materials and systems that promote economic and environmental health.

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The partnership currently has more than 1,100 partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, www.epa.gov/greenpower.