The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has welcomed Florim USA of Clarksville as the newest member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership.
The Tennessee Green Star Partnership is an environmental leadership program that recognizes manufacturers across the state committed to sustainability and exhibiting continuous improvement in their operations.
Florim USA, the American subsidiary of Florim Group, based in Italy, is one of the largest technologically advanced porcelain facilities in North America and is committed to the environment and observing environmental regulations through quality management systems.
“Florim USA incorporates environmental responsibility throughout its manufacturing processes,” Kendra Abkowitz, director of TDEC’s Office of Policy and Sustainable Practices, said. “The company truly represents the qualities we look for in members of the Green Star Partnership.”
Through the Tennessee Materials Marketplace, a collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development, Florim USA has sourced 40,000-60,000 pounds per week of post-consumer glass from the solid waste stream since April 2019. Utilization of that material has avoided using raw materials from mines.
Florim USA installed an enclosed dust conveying system to transport collected dust to the manufacturing process for recycling. In the summer of 2019, Florim commissioned a latest-technology kiln and removed two antiquated kilns resulting in both increased capacity and a reduction in natural gas intensity. The company plans projects that will include capturing rain water for use at the plant and upgrades in LED lighting.
To become a member of the Tennessee Green Star Partnership, a manufacturer must operate under an ISO 14001 certification, a voluntary environmental management standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization, and/or an environmental management system that conforms to ISO 14001, and must have a minimum of three years of exceptional environmental compliance with TDEC. For more information about TDEC’s Green Star Partnership, visit this site.