May 2012 Vine Lines Newsletter - Red Gold

Hey! Don’t throw that away!
Manners with
Who remembers the expression, “Waste not, want not?” Well, that
is present day living here at Red Gold. Did you know that we
recycle just about everything under the sun at each processing
facility and the corporate headquarters? Even
as we speak, there are projects in place to reuse and
repurpose materials used at Red Gold.
Recycling for the three processing facilities is
all documented. We’re not talking just a few bins
or boxes, here. Ever think “Gee, I wonder how
much of that we go through AND RECYCLE in a
year?” Many of the recycled materials are literally
recorded in the tons every year. Cardboard
bales, cardboard, plastic bales, and cap boxes are
all recycled. Also recycled: 55 gal steel drums, mixed
metal, tin cans, stainless steel, sheet iron, pressed film
cores, and chipped plastic bands… don’t forget light bulbs,
batteries, and used oil!
Some stuff isn’t just recycled, it’s also repurposed. Plastic bags
from the cap boxes are kept and reused as trash can liners. Plastic and
wooden paste totes are returned back to the vendor for reuse. Also, a large
quantity of rail dunnage is returned from forward warehouses to be reused.
The facilities are always reassessing how they can continue to save more
on corrugate, plastic, scrap cans, and other such recyclables.
The facilities also have ongoing projects for sustainability. At RG
Geneva, they are working on a project to fertilize fields by injection of
organic material removed from the lagoons. They’re continuing work on the
wetlands recovery and revitalization. Projects are in place to reduce the
noncontact water being used at the facility. Another current project
involves learning how to reduce waste water treatment costs
along with energy. They are also studying the forklift idle
shutoff system to reduce fuel consumption. From lighting
to paste usage, our facilities are always looking
for ways to save energy and reduce other wastes.
Have you ever noticed the trucks filled with seeds
Stewie
and peel during fresh pack? This is a byproduct of
our fresh tomatoes. Finding the best home for the
seeds and peel has been an ongoing project. The
material from Elwood, and half of Geneva’s, goes
to a local dairy farmer for sillage. Orestes’ material,
and the other half of Geneva’s, goes to a drier
operation that prepares the seed and peel for pet food!
Don’t forget these facilities have offices too. Paper, toner
cartridges, etc., is all recycled from there as well.
At the corporate headquarters, there are recycling stations
to make it easy for employees to recycle. There are two bins
for aluminum cans, one for glass, one for plastic, one for batteries, a box
for catalogs, a box for toner cartridges, and there are locations to stack
cardboard. They’ve thought of everything! At the corporate headquarters,
employees even take out their own trash. This helps keep everyone conscious
of what they throw away– you can either throw it in the trash, or
throw it in the recycling! The trash and recycling stations are in the same
room. This is a no-brainer!
It’s amazing how big of a difference all these little things make… even
YOUR one pop can!
Summertime Tomatoes All Year Long
Five NEW Red Gold Trailers have arrived with dramatic and playful new graphics. The graphics
feature a summertime theme to reinforce the marketing campaign message that with Red Gold
Tomatoes consumers can have “Summertime Tomatoes All Year Long TM”. The ‘Summertime
Campaign’ was first introduced with radio advertising in Kansas City and Oklahoma City markets
two years ago. As a result, we have significantly grown volume, market share and strengthened
our relationship with the AWG (Associated Wholesale Grocers) stores located in Kansas City:
Apple Markets, Hen House and Price Choppers; Oklahoma: United Supermarkets, Homeland
and Apple Markets.
YMCA
Red Gold has been a longtime supporter of the YMCA. Recently, the company donated funding
for the newly expanded and renovated Elwood YMCA Red Gold Fitness Center. “Red Gold has
had a long time commitment to the community, starting its tomato manufacturing business 70
years ago in 1942. The values and vision of the Elwood YMCA naturally align with the mission
of Red Gold to promote health and wellness to our employees and the community,” said Brian
Reichart, President and CEO.
Red Gold presented the newly renovated Elwood YMCA Red Gold Fitness Center with a ribbon
cutting presentation on March 22, 2012. In addition, the Elwood YMCA will have another day later
this spring season which will recognize other donors who also contributed to the renovations.