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A prestigious US environmental award was given last week to a dairy farm for its innovative pollution prevention measures, including capturing the heat from the ice cream plant’s ammonia refrigeration system to heat water used for cleaning and pasteurisation.

The Sustainable Business Institute (SBI) announced last week the recipients of its ‘2010 Seal of Sustainability’ award, provided to companies that have demonstrated continuous commitment to sustainable practices. Applications were reviewed by the independent nonprofit National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, the largest nonprofit membership organisation in the U.S. devoted to pollution prevention.

One of the two award recipients was Kleinpeter Farms Dairy, which was presented the ‘Seal of Sustainability’ award by members of the US Congress.

Among the pollution prevention measures undertaken by the dairy producer that stood out to reviewers was capturing the heat from the ice cream plant’s ammonia refrigeration system to heat water used for cleaning and pasteurization purposes. The ammonia gas used in the refrigeration system is piped through a water tank and preheats the water from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees, saving the company between $12,000 and $15,000 and reducing energy use.

Other sustainability features include:

• Reusing solid waste from the ice cream making process for crop fertilizer at the dairy farm.

• A company-wide recycling program that separates recyclable from non-recyclable waste.

• Partnering with the City of Baton Rouge and the Recycling Foundation to encourage consumers to recycle used milk jugs and other recyclables. The campaign resulted in a 23% increase in recycling in East Baton Rouge Parish in subsequent months.

• Partnering with Waste Management to collect used florescent lights and ballasts at the business and from Kleinpeter employees.