Packaging & Materials

• Reducing packaging materials and end-of life waste has been a key focus area. You can learn more on our sustainable packaging page.
• Dagoba works to reduce the ecological footprint of its cocoa sourcing and packaging by using organic cacao, recycled-content paper, and recycled-content, recyclable packaging materials.

Energy & Emissions Reduction

• We're measuring our Greenhouse Gas emissions, including CO2, and identifying ways to reduce our impact.
• Hershey strives to optimize our distribution and transportation systems to reduce fuel use. We're a SmartWay^SM Partner, participating in an innovative partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that reduces greenhouse gases and other air pollutants and improves fuel efficiency.
• We implemented logistics improvements between 2005-08, including linking inbound and outbound shipments and maximizing loads. These improvements have saved 1.3 million gallons of fuel, enough to power 1,300 homes annually or drive around the world 287 times, while eliminating 12,700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• We use energy-efficient lighting in new facilities and have been upgrading lighting in existing facilities. In 2008, we installed more efficient lighting in five plants and several offices.
• At our Hazelton, PA facility, some of the energy used in our boiler comes from methane captured as a byproduct of on-site wastewater treatment. We are implementing the same strategy in three other manufacturing plants equipped with similar on-site waste treatment systems, including Stuarts Draft, VA and Robinson, IL.
• We continually work to identify and implement additional energy conservation measures, including boiler economization, chiller retrofits and lighting automation.
• When building new facilities, we seek to include energy-saving design features. Our manufacturing plant in Monterrey, MX has state-of-the-art, efficient chilled water and compressed air systems, a thermally efficient building envelope, a white roof and a vapor barrier under the slab foundation to help modulate building temperature. Our Distribution Center in Utah has efficient lighting and a white roof to reflect heat.
• Our Company was named to the Uptime Institute's "Global Green100" in 2008. This recognizes leading energy efficiency practices at the corporate level and in information technology.
• Our Information Systems department is part of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, which works to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient computers and power management. All new computers meet energy efficiency standards set forth by Climate Savers, exceeding Energy Star criteria.
• Hershey participates in the Carbon Disclosure Project, reporting on our greenhouse gas emissions and how we manage them. You can find our current response here.
• Dagoba Organic Chocolate buys Renewable Energy Certificates for 100 percent of the energy use at its Ashland, OR factory.
• Our Canadian division is based in a LEED Certified "green" building, designed to be environmentally friendly and save costs through the use of ecologically-sound materials and methods, and energy-efficient systems.

Water

• Hershey reuses water left over from the milk-condensing process.
• Wastewater treatment systems at several facilities provide treated wastewater to on-site landscaping, reducing fresh water use and replenishing groundwater sources.
• Treated water from our Brazilian plant feeds into a fish pond and vegetable garden for a local social service organization.