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Bimbo Bakeries’ Reading plant recognized by EPA
It’s one of 18 Bimbo plants to achieve ENERGY STAR certification for 2021
Horsham-based Bimbo Bakeries USA, a member of Grupo Bimbo, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR certification for 18 of its bakeries for 2021. One of the bakeries recognized is the company’s Berks County baking facility.
Bimbo’s 18 certifications is the highest number in the baking industry and in any industrial sector with production facilities in the U.S., the company said in a press release. A total of 93 U.S. manufacturing plants earned the certification for 2021.
The certification signifies that the bakeries perform in the top 25% for energy efficiency among similar facilities nationwide and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA, the company said.
“We strive to be leaders in sustainability and recognize our obligation to protect and preserve our planet for the next generation,” Ramon Rivera, senior vice president of operations, Bimbo Bakeries USA, said in a statement. “We’re honored that our efforts have again been recognized by the EPA and proud that we are setting the standard for energy efficiency at manufacturing locations.”
According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR certified plants are verified to be among the most energy-efficient plants within their industries. Together, they prevented more than 5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector, which is responsible for nearly onethird of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
“Companies like Bimbo
Bakeries are improving energy efficiency, confronting climate change and strengthening our economy,” Adam Ortiz, EPA MidAtlantic regional administrator, said in a statement. “Reducing energy consumption is a critical component of the transition to a zeroemissions future, while saving money and creating resiliency for businesses and our planet.”
In addition to the Reading facility, Bimbo bakeries in New York, Iowa, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Washington, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Arizona, Utah, and Ohio also earned the EPA’s 2021 Energy certification. This year marks the sixth consecutive award for several of Bimbo’s bakeries.
Two Bimbo bakeries in Georgia and Wisconsin also achieved the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. These bakeries have achieved the Challenge’s goal to reduce their energy intensity by 10% within five years.
“Energy efficiency contributes to greater economic development, greater competitiveness and a healthy environment while helping organizations meet their health, environmental and cost reduction goals,” Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR commercial & industrial branch, said in a statement.
According to the EPA, the plants avoided nearly 90 trillion BTUs of energy consumption and prevented emissions equal to the annual energy use of nearly 650,000 American homes. Since the first plants were certified in 2006, ENERGY STAR certified plants have cumulatively saved manufacturers more than $7 billion on energy bills when compared to average-performing facilities.
In June, 2021, Bimbo Bakeries USA received the 2021 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence award from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
The award was presented in recognition of Bimbo Bakeries’ companywide commitment to energy management strategy and leadership in the baking industry.
The Sustained Excellence honor is given, at the EPA’s discretion, to organizations who have consistently earned Partner of the Year for several years in a row.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all 50 states have earned the ENERGY STAR certification.