The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on an application from  Menasha Packaging Co. to be accepted into Wisconsin's Green Tier program. The application is for the company's Neenah Plant and Fulfillment Center, and plants in Hartford and Green Lake.

Green Tier encourages businesses to move beyond regulatory compliance in order to promote superior environmental performance by collaborating with the DNR in this voluntary program. Menasha Packaging's application is for Tier 1 of the program, which is designed to recognize and reward companies that are committed to superior environmental performance. To be accepted into the program an applicant must have a good environmental record, commit to superior environmental performance, and implement an Environmental Management System.

Menasha Packaging specializes in developing packaging products and merchandise displays that use less material and are made from recycled or environmentally friendly material to help customers move and sell their product. The Neenah, Hartford, and Green Lake plants produce packaging including retail-ready packaging, protective packaging, and corrugated cartons while the plants in Neenah and Hartford also create merchandising displays.

As the company moves forward as a Green Tier participant, Menasha Packaging will continue to make changes at their plant locations to improve their environmental performance. A heat recovery project at their Neenah facility will capture waste heat for use during the winter months while the Hartford facility has installed a recyclable water system to reduce water consumption. Menasha has also invested in renewable energy by installing five 20kW wind turbines at its Neenah Campus.

Specific information on this application and on the Green Tier program can be accessed on the Internet at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cea/environmental/comment/index.htm.

Public comments on the company's Green Tier application will be accepted through May 23, 2011. Direct comments to Tom Eggert, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street - CO5, Madison, WI 53703, by email at [email protected] or by calling 608-267-2761.

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