3M releases environmental performance report

Nevada Daily Mail

NEVADA -- The 3M manufacturing plant released its annual environmental performance report Friday, April 4. The report outlines voluntary progress made as part of the facility's membership in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Performance Track program. The membership recognizes 3M's commitment to exceeding environmental protection requirements, both historically and in the future.

Performance Track companies and facilities have strong records of environmental management and exceed regulatory requirements for waste recycling and air and water pollution reduction. 3M is one of only 537 businesses and facilities nationwide recognized as a member of the program.

"All of us at 3M Nevada are proud of membership to the National Environmental Performance Track Program. We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and our employees work very hard each day on continuous environmental improvement. This commitment is evident in the voluntary progress that we've made toward reducing our impact on the environment," said Dave Clauss, 3M plant manager.

The Performance Track program rewards companies that have established their own environmental management systems, have voluntarily reduced pollution and have made commitments to further environmental improvements. Companies receiving the designation benefit from regulatory and administrative flexibility, more cooperation with the EPA and reduced record keeping and reporting.

In 2007, 3M Nevada, committed to reduce energy consumption, the use of greenhouse gas producing chemicals and lead over the period of 2005 to 2007. The 2007 performance report indicates that energy consumption was reduced 7 percent. Lead containing pigments was reduced 10 percent. However, greenhouse gas producing chemicals increased 12 percent. Product reformulation and customer acceptance issues were the principal reason for the lack of progress. 3M remains committed to reduction of this item and anticipates additional progress in 2008 towards achieving this objective. A complete copy of the report is available online at: http://www.epa.gov/performance track/index.htm, http://www.epa.gov/performance track/index.htm., www.epa.gov/performance track/alphabet.htm and http://www.epa.gov/performance track/alphabet.htm.

3M renewed its Performance Track membership early in first quarter 2008. In the next three years 3M Nevada committed to reducing the use of greenhouse gas producing chemicals by 90 percent, lead containing pigments by 17 percent and energy consumption by 15 percent.

In addition to Performance Track, 3M has continued to make valuable contributions to 3M's overall environmental performance. Specifically, under the corporate wide program, called Pollution Prevention Pays, 3M has submitted three projects that were recognized by the company. The result is the prevention of 70 tons of solid waste per year. On a corporate basis 3P has generated more than 6,800 projects that have resulted in the savings of more that 2.7 billion pounds of pollution per year and a savings of more than $1.2 billion to the company.

The 3M facility produces an array of graphics products for the global graphics industry. These products include decorative and specialty films for architectural, sign, fleet, commercial and automotive applications. The site has 650 employees.

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include icons such as Scotch-Print, Scotchcal, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Nexcare. Serving customers in more than 200 countries around the world, the company's 76,000 people use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation.