Baking & Snack - May 2024 - 16

SUSTAINABILITY
One easy way to
save energy and
money is to check
an oven's insulation
to make sure it's still
effective or can be
improved.
Sosland Publishing
equipment, if not in use. If the plant is closed on weekends,
shutdown procedures should be put in place. Keep
an eye on boilers and other steam systems, which are
perennial sources of energy waste and potential energy
savings. Proper maintenance should be a routine matter.
Taking a big picture
Overall, picking the low-hanging fruit drives efficiency
and energy savings and falls into a company's " sphere of
control, " noted Paul Bakus, president, North America,
Puratos.
" It starts by companies assessing what's important to
them and identifying where they want to make commitments
to improve, " he said. " Part of the journey is knowing
where you stand today and understanding where
you can have a positive impact. "
Management teams can broaden their sphere of
control by then making decisions on how they operate
their facilities as well as how they strategically invest in
sustainability. The next step, Bakus said, involves the
" sphere of influence, " which affects how suppliers, customers
and consumers address sustainable practices,
such as recycling their packaging.
" It involves asking, 'How do I work more closely and
collaboratively with others to be able to have a bigger
impact?' " Bakus suggested. " We need to be looking at
EPA LAUNCHES ENERGY STAR ENERGY
MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
To enable more manufacturers to benefit from the
cost savings that energy management provides, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rolling out a new
resource for industry, the Energy Star Industrial Assistance
Networks. Commercial bakeries, food producers and other
manufacturers can enroll in virtual training starting in June
and then participate in regional networks of industrial
energy managers.
Elizabeth Dutrow, team leader for the Energy Star
Industrial Team, located within EPA's Climate Protection
Partnerships Division, said the networks provide training by
experienced industrial energy managers on how to build an
energy management program and connect manufacturers
so that they can share lessons learned.
" Each of EPA's 10 regions has an operating network ready
to help manufacturers that want to learn and grow their
energy programs, " she said. " Our networks will cover the
strategies that manufacturers need to reach and sustain
these savings. "
Companies can sign up through the Energy Star website
at www.energystar.gov/ian. Classes start June 11, but other
classes will be offered later in the year.
16 Baking & Snack May 2024 / www.bakingbusiness.com
how we create a win-win situation where we can have a
more positive impact not only on the environment, but
also on the bottom line. "
Solar is one area where companies can receive government
incentives and other benefits, as well as a longterm
reduction of energy. When Puratos installed solar
panels on its Pennsauken, NJ, roof, the payback began
almost instantly, Bakus said.
" As soon as we flipped the switch and turned on the
solar panels, we saved money, and so it was a win-win, "
he observed. " It was great for our bottom line, but it was
also great for the environment. This is part of Puratos'
commitment to be carbon neutral by 2025 with our
own operations. "
Wolfe said Bimbo Bakeries USA may also engage in
partnerships. For instance, the company recently teamed
up with GreenStruxure to launch an onsite microgrid
system of solar arrays coupled with battery storage. The
systems are providing nearly 20% of the company's renewable
electric energy use at six California baking
plants and saving the company an estimated 1,700 tons
of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Likewise, Marsh said, Flowers' installation of its first
solar project at Flowers Baking Co. of San Antonio last
fall has already seen promising results from an energy
and cost-savings perspective. It's all part of a broader
goal-setting approach by the company.
" As part of a comprehensive review and refresh of our
corporate responsibility program in 2022, we re-evaluated
and updated our environmental sustainability goals
http://www.energystar.gov/ian http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - May 2024

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