More than 200 meat and poultry plants were recognized by The Meat Institute at the 2024 Environmental, Labor and Safety+ Conference in New Orleans for their positive environmental impact efforts. In addition, 13 establishments were honored with Environmental Achievement Awards for going above and beyond with emissions reduction, energy conservation, packaging/food waste reduction, technological innovation and water conservation.
“The Meat Institute congratulates each of these establishments and their leadership for ensuring their products contribute to a sustainable food system,” Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts said in a release. “Their hard work and innovation will ensure the meat and poultry industry continues to employ the highest standards and latest technology to produce wholesome, safe, nutritious products that consumers can be proud to put on their plates.”
The Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Awards are given to its member companies that go beyond environmental compliance by designing and successfully implementing an innovative plant upgrade or environmental program, the release said. The Environmental Achievement Award winners represent establishments operated by JBS USA, Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods.
The winners are as follows:
| Category | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| Emissions Reduction | Smithfield – Sioux Falls, SD | Smithfield – Junction City, KS | Tyson Farms – Ringgold, VA |
| Energy Conservation | Smithfield – Salt Lake City, UT | ||
| Packaging and/or Food Waste Reduction | Smithfield – Denison, IA | Smithfield – Clinton, NC | Smithfield – Tar Heel, NC |
| Technological Innovation | Smithfield – Lincoln, NE | JBS USA – Ottumwa, IA | Tyson Foods – Vicksburg, MS |
| Water Conservation | Smithfield – Wilson, NC | Smithfield – Smithfield, VA | Smithfield – Peru, IN |
The Environmental Recognition Awards recognize a company’s dedication to continuous environmental improvement, as witnessed by the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems. The Environmental Recognition Award winners include establishments throughout North America operated by: American Foods Group, Caviness Beef Packers, Clemens Food Group, CS Beef Packers, FPL Foods, Golden State Foods, JBS/Pilgrim’s, Land O’ Frost, Maple Leaf Foods, OSI Group, Smithfield Foods, SugarCreek Packing, Triumph Foods and Tyson Foods.
Editor’s Note: Companies that earned these awards also reported data in 2023 for The Protein PACT, which is uniting the largest-ever industry effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment.
