U.S. FOODSERVICE-FORT MILL SHRINKS DEPENDENCY ON PLASTIC WRAP, STRETCHES DOLLAR WITH SWITCH TO RUBBER BANDS

AJ Marin

U.S. FOODSERVICE-FORT MILL SHRINKS DEPENDENCY ON PLASTIC WRAP, STRETCHES
DOLLAR WITH SWITCH TO RUBBER BANDS
Using reusable rubber bands to secure products for storage and shipping
is environmentally friendly and cost-effective
FORT MILL, S.C., August 17, 2009 - Rubber bands are replacing plastic
shrink wrap at U.S. Foodservice-Fort Mill. The operation's innovative
application of large, reusable rubber bands instead of clear plastic
wrap to secure food products for delivery has proved to be a great way
to stretch the dollar and improve environmental stewardship.
In a five month pilot program to test the use of rubber bands in
securing smaller product loads on warehouse pallets, Fort Mill used 11
percent less shrink wrap and saved nearly $8,000.
"Plastic shrink wrap is made from petrochemicals and can only be used
once, but rubber bands are reusable with an average life span of six
months to a year," said Dan Harris, President, U.S. Foodservice-Fort
Mill.
"We were using tens of thousands of pounds of shrink wrap in our
warehouse every year to secure products on pallets while stored on
racks, and we knew there had to be a more cost-effective way to manage
this process," Harris said. "Replacing shrink wrap with rubber bands
really helped bring our costs down and make our warehouse operations
more environmentally-friendly."
"These are not your average rubber bands," Harris added. "They are about
1/16 inch thick and can stretch to fit around a pallet up to 4 feet by 4
feet. While we can't replace shrink wrap in every situation, the
decrease in plastic wrap use has been significant, amounting to
reductions of more than 100,000 pounds of wrap per year."
This new rubber band strategy is just one example of the sustainability
improvements U.S. Foodservice has implemented recently at its Fort Mill
operations, Harris said. A dedicated sustainability team aggressively
seeks out new ways to reduce energy consumption, eliminate waste, and
add recycling programs. These efforts have resulted in a number of
innovations that demonstrate the Fort Mill division's commitment to
sustainability in three key areas: environment, products and community.
"We are committed to sustainability in everything we do," said Harris.
"We are proud of our environmental leadership on behalf of our customers
and the communities we serve."
About U.S. Foodservice
U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice
distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and
signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000
customers. The company proudly employs 26,000 associates in more than 60
locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their
expectations. As industry leaders, with access to resources beyond the
ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related
products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and
universities, hotels, government entities and other eating
establishments. To find out how U.S. Foodservice can be Your partner
beyond the plate(r), visit the company's website at
www.usfoodservice.com.