Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids plant recognized by Iowa governor for environmental leadership

Sep 7, 2012 9:00 PM ET
Quaker's Mark Weldon and Kitty Edwards (left and middle) accepted the award for environmental leadership from Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad (right).

Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids plant recognized by Iowa governor for environmental le…

The Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was among 12 Iowa businesses recently honored by Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad for outstanding contributions to the environment.

The Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa, recognizing leadership and innovation in the protection of Iowa’s natural resources. The awards honor organizations with comprehensive environmental ethics and commitment.

The plant received the award in recognition of its commitment to being an environmental leader within the larger company and the community. In 2011, Quaker reduced natural gas, electricity and water consumption, formed the Regional Sustainable Business Alliance (RSBA), established a recycling program at a local elementary school and sponsored various activities to promote Earth Day and America Recycles Day. The plant's Green Team meets monthly to identify and implement recycling and resource conservation opportunities; other associates act as sustainability leaders within their operating teams, communicate performance metrics and complete quarterly audits.