Firms’ pollution-prevention efforts recognized

Monadnock Paper Mills of Bennington and Park Nameplate of Dover Wednesday were named the winners of the 12th annual New Hampshire Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention.

Monadnock Paper was honored for its environmental management system, which sets targets and objectives for continuous environmental improvement. Specifically, the company was recognized for its successful efforts to reduce energy consumption by more than 88,000 KWh, reduce sewer discharge of paper fiber by 300,000 pounds, recycle 650,000 pounds of solid waste and reduce packaging costs.

These pollution prevention projects are saving the company $150,000, annually, the company said.

Park Nameplate, a manufacturer of decorative product identification emblems used for automotive, appliance and consumer applications, was honored for several environmental improvement projects, including reducing methyl ethyl ketone used for screen washing by 3,700 pounds, recycling and reusing plastic product trays, installing energy-efficient lighting to save 19,200 KWh, recycling contaminated shop wipes and office paper and upgrading its ISO 14001 registration.

These projects will save the company $33,000 per year, the firm said.

Also singled out by the awards program was Symmetry Medical PolyVac in Manchester, which received an honorable mention award for its pollution prevention efforts. – JEFF FEINGOLD