At Cargill, environmental stewardship is a
part of everyday life. It is engrained in our
way of thinking and doing business and
is supported by employees at every level
and location.
When it comes to environmental
issues, Cargill believes in continuous
improvement. While protection of our
water, air, soil and vegetation is certainly
paramount, maintaining the status quo
is not enough. We are confident that,
with increased innovation, creativity, and
teamwork, it will be possible to revitalize
our natural resources and surroundings.
This is a responsibility we all share —governments, businesses, communities
and individuals.
Ontario’s Environmental
Leaders Program
Cargill is a proud partner of Ontario’s
Environmental Leaders (OEL) Program
and commits to its “beyond compliance”
environmental reduction steps at our
Cargill Meat Solutions facility in Toronto.
To be considered for the program, a facility
must have an environmental management
system, an emissions inventory, and must
report publicly on its progress.
Partnering with Ducks
Unlimited
Since 1989, Cargill has been a strong
supporter of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s
conservation programs delivered
through the North American Waterfowl
Management Plan in the community of
High River, Alberta.
As part of the water-treatment plant for
its beef processing operation, Cargill has
worked closely with DUC to establish the
Frank Lake Wetlands Project, donating
$375,000 in recent years. Water from
the plant is treated to tertiary levels and
then diverted to rehabilitate what was
once a dry lake, restoring it to a healthy
ecosystem for waterfowl and other
wildlife. The Highwood River has also
benefited from reduced effluent flowing
into its waters.
Frank Lake is now recognized as one
of southern Alberta’s most important
breeding and staging areas for waterfowl
and other waterbirds. It is also critical to
wetland education programs in the area,
and a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts
and school tours.
Water Matters
This international Cargill Cares partnership
encourages employees, retirees and their
families to learn about local water-quality
issues and to get involved in programs
and activities addressing those issues at
home, at work and in the community. To
date, Cargill has contributed more than $2
million for over 250 Water Matters projects
completed by Cargill employees and
partner organizations. We plan to expand
our efforts globally in the area of water
protection and conservation.
Malton Environmental
Stewardship
Cargill has also partnered with the Malton
Environmental Stewardship Project
(MESP) in Malton, Ontario. MESP works
with schools, businesses, organizations
and individuals to increase awareness of
water-quality issues and the importance
of aquatic habitats, while also engaging
residents in habitat enhancement
activities. Cargill employee volunteers
join with other community members
on projects such as cleanups, invasive
plant removal, plantings and education
programs. The Project’s mission is a strong
fit with Cargill’s Water Matters program
and also allows the company to actively
make a difference in a community where
we live and work.
Lake Cargill
Lake Cargill is a 14-acre lake at Fort Whyte
Centre, an outdoor educational research
centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The lake
is the site of environmental and climate
change studies, aquatic monitoring,
wilderness survival and youth day camps.
It also offers an excellent habitat for a
growing rainbow trout fishery. The project
was funded through Cargill’s community
investment program, Cargill Cares, and its
international water conservation program,
Water Matters. The Fort Whyte Centre is
one of Canada’s leading, privately-operated
environmental education facilities, hosting
over 100,000 visitors annually.
Even Greater Efforts Ahead
At Cargill, we have intensified our
corporate efforts to reduce our
environmental footprint. We have
established the following corporate
environmental goals for 2010:
- Improve energy efficiency by 20%
against fiscal year 2001 baseline.
- Increase use of renewable energy to
10% of energy demand.
- Improve greenhouse gas intensity by 8%
against fiscal year 2006 baseline.
- Improve freshwater efficiency by 2%
against fiscal year 2006 baseline.
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