Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms is celebrating its fifth facility to receive TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) certification.
The recognition, a third-party, zero-waste certification from Green Business Certification Inc., was given earlier this year, according to a news release.
The TRUE certification program is used by facilities to define, pursue and achieve their zero-waste goals while cutting operational costs, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging cross-functional employee collaborations. The certification goes beyond diversion metrics and focuses on the upstream policies and practices that help make zero waste successful in any facility, the release said.
Complying with TRUE’s minimum program requirements, Taylor Farms says its San Juan Bautista, Calif.-based facility achieved an average diversion rate of 91.7% over 12 months, the release said. By following TRUE guidelines and exploring innovative solutions, the facility diverted 34,902 short tons of solid waste from landfill, incineration and the environment.
“We commend Taylor Farms for pursuing zero waste and achieving its fifth TRUE-certified project,” Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI, said in the release. “This operational excellence sets a standard for others and invites them to join in implementing innovative sustainability practices to drive positive change within the industry.”
The San Juan Bautista facility joins four other Taylor Farms operations that have received the TRUE certification, including:
- Taylor Farms Gonzales, California.
- Taylor Farms Retail, Salinas, California.
- Taylor Farms Schillings, Salinas, California.
- Taylor Farms Guanajuato, Mexico.
“At Taylor Farms, we are proud that our efforts at the San Juan Bautista facility have earned us this highly respected recognition through the TRUE certification,” Wyatt Maysey, director of sustainability for Taylor Farms, said in the release. “This milestone reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability practices, reaffirming our dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
The Taylor Farms San Juan Bautista facility also uses various renewable and alternative energy resources to help meet its sustainability goals. A newly developed microgrid project combines solar panels, battery and fuel cells into one integrated onsite power solution, the release said. The solar panels generate 1.9 MW of energy, with 2MW of battery storage and the fuel cells generate 6 MW of energy, the release said. The microgrid will be able to power 100% of the San Juan Bautista facility, improving its resilience against grid outages while reaping financial savings.
These combined efforts from the material management program and solar installation at the facility are estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11,437 Million Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year (calculations done using EPA WARM, ReFED Impact Calculator, and CCCE 2022 Power Content Label). That’s equivalent to 2,545 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year or 2,225 homes’ electricity use for one year (per EPA’s GHG Equivalencies Calculator), the release said.
Related link: More information about TRUE certification.
