Blount Partners with EPA to Reduce Lead Use
Blount, Incorporated’s manufacturing facility in Portland, Ore., was recently accepted for entry into the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) program.
As part of this voluntary, national program, Blount’s Portland facility has committed to reduce the amount of lead used to manufacture its products by 35 percent, approximately 1,400 pounds. As a result of reducing lead in the facility’s processes, the reduction project will also reduce the annual generation of related waste by 63,000 pounds and lead-contaminated wastewater by 800,000 gallons.
“The project to reduce lead will not impact product quality,” said James Osterman, chairman and CEO, Blount, Inc. “Blount prides itself on the quality of its products. Now, we can also be proud that in manufacturing those products, we will be using less lead. We will continue to look for opportunities to improve our products and our business to the benefit of our customers, our employees, our community and our environment. Entry into the NPEP program is just one way we demonstrate this commitment.”
Blount applied to the EPA’s NPEP program as part of its commitment to continuously improve all aspects of its business. The program is a natural fit with Blount’s other environmentally related projects to reduce water discharge, recycle wastes, and minimize its use of hazardous materials.
