Will voluntarily undertake seven projects that benefits Kentucky's environment

Contact:  Aaron Keatley 800-926-8111

OWENSBORO, Ky. (May 18, 2007) – Swedish Match North America, which manufactures, packages and distributes chewing tobacco, snuff and pipe tobacco at its facility in Daviess County, has become a Master member of KY EXCEL, the environmental leadership program of the Department for Environmental Protection.

To become a Master member, the highest level of membership offered by the program, Swedish Match had to demonstrate comprehensive environmental management planning and submit to an independent third-party assessment of compliance. It also had to commit to and report on at least four voluntary projects that benefit the environment in Kentucky, but the company went farther, pledging to carry out seven projects. 

Tony Gholson, factory manager in Daviess County, said the company’s environmental policy conveys a commitment to pollution prevention and compliance with laws and regulations through establishment of environmental objectives and targets, a focus on prevention rather than detection and continual improvement of its environmental management system.  The facility believes that its membership in KY EXCEL supports this commitment to continually improving environmental performance.

The facility will be replacing its emergency lighting with LED lighting and will reduce its lighting energy consumption 5 percent through fluorescent lamp retrofitting.  It committed to developing an information packet to educate visitors about the company’s environmental management efforts.

The facility also will convert all of its environmental management and quality management system controls to the same format, which will help its employees efficiently implement their environmental responsibilities.

Swedish Match has pledged to recycle laminated cardboard and use less paper.  It also will voluntarily create internal materials safety data sheets on all compound flavors as part of its environmental safety program.  Swedish Match also received ISO 14001 environmental certification in May 2000 and ISO 9001 quality certification in 2003.

“The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection is pleased to accept Swedish Match North America into KY EXCEL as an environmental leader and a Master member,” said Aaron Keatley, director of the Division of Compliance Assistance in the Department for Environmental Protection.  “Swedish Match’s willingness to proactively improve its operations and Kentucky’s environment is a positive example for all of Kentucky’s facilities.  The department looks forward to partnering with Swedish Match as it works to achieve its environmental leadership objectives.”

To learn more about KY EXCEL visit the Web site at www.KYEXCEL.ky.gov or call the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance at (800) 926-8111.