By Cassie Harris

Recognized for their efforts to protect and preserve South Carolina’s environment, Honeywell Aerospace of Greer, S.C. was recently welcomed by the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program (SCEEP) as the newest member of the state’s premier environmental performance program.

Joining Honeywell Aerospace, Sandvik, Inc. of Westminster, S.C.; Kimberly-Clark Beech Island Mill of Beech Island, S.C.; and International Paper Eastover Mill of Eastover, S.C. received a renewed membership to the program. All companies will hold memberships in the program through 2018.

“SCEEP encourages companies that do business in South Carolina to become environmental stewards of the community through taking proactive steps to promote and protect the environment,” said DHEC’s Director of Environmental Affairs Myra Reece. “Committed to environmental excellence, SCEEP members are selected for their efforts in the promotion and practice of pollution prevention, as well as resource conservation.”

 Honeywell Aerospace

A global company, Honeywell Aerospace employs approximately 485 associates at its two Greer campuses. Reportedly reducing greenhouse gases by more than 30 percent from 2004 – 2011, Honeywell Aerospace in Greer continues to work towards corporate goals to promote even further reduction.  In addition, the company has worked to decrease hazardous waste generation by reducing, reusing and reclaiming hazardous waste materials. With improvements to an engine test cell, the company has been able to shrink the amount of jet fuel being used–resulting in a decrease in energy consumption. 

Sandvik, Inc.
Sandvik, Inc. continues its efforts to reduce energy consumption, CO2 consumption and water consumption. Initiating a plastic recycling program in 2014—the company has reportedly recycled 7,900 pounds of plastic. Committed to continued energy and carbon dioxide emission reductions, Sandvik, Inc. has replaced high intensity discharge lighting with more energy efficient T8 lighting and installed motion detection sensors in areas where there is minimal traffic. In addition, the company remains active in their community through the promotion of work experience with local schools.

Kimberly-Clark Beech Island Mill
Through establishing company-based environmental programs, Kimberly-Clark Corporation Beech Island Mill continues to work towards achievement of its goals to reduce fresh water consumption by 25 percent by maximizing water conservation through machine use reduction and effluent recycling and decrease Greenhouse Gas emissions by five percent through the identification and implementation of energy conservation projects. The company is also taking steps to achieve and sustain 100 percent landfill elimination of manufacturing wastes. As of Nov. 2015, 93 percent of manufacturing wastes were reported as being diverted from the landfill.

International Paper Eastover Mill
International Paper Eastover Mill monitors water use on a monthly basis, reportedly reducing total water use by 2,200 gallons per ton of product since 2007.  Since 2010, they have also reported a significant reduction in the amount of coal used and the subsequent sulfur dioxide emissions.  While striving to be excellent corporate neighbors, IP Eastover is very active in their community.  As a participant in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI Program), they support sustainable forestry practices on land they manage as well as promote on other lands.  

Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corporation
Associated Fuel Pump System Corporation (AFCO) is a zero waste-to-landfill facility. AFCO maintains a volunteer environmental and safety team that performs audits in each department in the plant, helping the company identify any environmental and/or safety concerns and maintain regulatory compliance.

About SCEEP
SCEEP is a voluntary program designed to recognize and reward South Carolina facilities that have demonstrated environmental performance through pollution prevention, energy and resource conservation, and the use of an environmental management system. Membership must be renewed every three years.  DHEC has supported the program since its creation in 1997. Currently, the program has 47 corporate members across the state.