Conservation Efforts for Global Environmental Sustainability

At Ajinomoto Aminoscience LLC, we recognize that our business depends on nature and the sustainability of the global environment. So preserving the environment is our ongoing mission. We're proud of our success so far, and we're committed to finding new ways to support and improve our environment.

Energy From Landfill Gas.

Using an innovative approach to recycling resources, Ajinomoto Aminoscience LLC implemented a landfill gas-to-energy project that captures and uses landfill gas as a source of our facility's boiler operations. The landfill gas-to-energy project supplies over 95% of the plant's steam needs. This project has not only reduced the use of natural gas, it has enabled Ajinomoto to stop burning No. 6 heavy fuel oil at the site – an important air quality improvement.

Composting.

In 2001, Ajinomoto Aminoscience LLC initiated a composting project. Spent carbon and resin that had been going to a landfill is now recycled in a composting operation.

Recycling to reduce water waste.

Cell cream, the byproduct of production processes, was discharged into the City of Raleigh POTW (publicly owned wastewater treatment works) for many years. Ajinomoto Aminoscience LLC developed a beneficial use for the nutrient-rich high BOD contained in this material. Part of the cell cream is used as an animal feed additive, and the remainder is composted. The waste stream no longer goes to the city's wastewater facility.

Reducing waste through conservation.

The facility is constantly finding new ways to conserve. The plant-wide movement to use bulk chemicals instead of drums reduces waste and the potential for spills. Solvents used in the production process are run through the solvent recovery system to reclaim the solvent. This limits the amount and concentration of solvents to be treated by the waste water plant.

Recycling.

Ajinomoto Aminoscience LLC's recycling committee has created programs that have effectively reduced the amount of solid waste going to landfills. Corrugated cardboard, newspaper, used office paper, aluminum cans, steel drums, fiber drums and scrap metal of all types are sent offsite for recycling, and items such as the plastic sampling cups used by production are now reused in the water treatment section.

Company-wide conservation.

Our employees have made a team effort to reduce the use of major utilities: electricity, natural gas and water. Their successes include enacting Best Management Practices, external audits and implementation of approved projects.