Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield, Va., announced a key step toward achieving zero-waste-to-landfill status across its North Carolina processing facilities.

Conagra Brands, Inc., Chicago, honored employees' commitment to reducing waste through its Zero Waste Champion Awards given to facilities that have redirected more than 95% of materials that would have otherwise been sent to landfills.

From product design to packaging, every company has the responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference to reduce its environmental footprint, eliminate waste, practice lean business processes and reduce resource consumption.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. will begin construction in August on a second cogeneration system at its 70-acre North Kingstown, R.I., headquarters.