Kodak Among First to be Named to New EPA 'Hall of Fame' for Waste Reduction Efforts

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Kodak Among First to be Named to New EPA 'Hall of Fame' for Waste Reduction Efforts

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Oct. 16 -/E-Wire/Business Wire/-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Eastman Kodak Company among the first three organizations to be inducted into its newly created WasteWise 'Hall of Fame,' the highest honor awarded under the 9-year-old program. Inductees must be long-time partners that have reported outstanding waste reduction results for many years. Kodak is a charter member of WasteWise, having joined the program at its inception in 1994.

"This honor from EPA speaks to the considerable hard work and dedication of many Kodak men and women whose commitment to reducing and properly managing our various waste streams has been world class," said R. Hays Bell, Director, Health, Safety, & Environment and Kodak Vice President.

A voluntary partnership program, WasteWise provides guidance and recognition to more than 1,300 participating organizations working to find practical methods to reduce municipal solid waste and improve financial performance.

The hallmark of Kodak's various waste reduction activities is its One-Time-Use Camera recycling program. After Kodak launched the program in 1990, one-time-use camera recycling rates increased dramatically, reaching 77 percent in the United States and 67 percent worldwide. To date, Kodak has recycled more than 650 million of these cameras and in the past five years alone, the recycling program prevented approximately 16 million pounds of mixed plastics and 9 million pounds of printed circuit boards from entering the waste stream.

Kodak's construction and demolition debris management program was also recognized. In 1995, the company began a consolidation project involving 200 buildings at its Kodak Park facility in Rochester, NY. As a result, Kodak tore down more than 40 buildings, reusing as much of the original construction material as possible. The company stockpiled thousands of tons of brick, concrete, and asphalt and hired an outside contractor to crush the debris into aggregate. In 1999, Kodak used more than 30,000 tons of this aggregate to build new roads and buildings, saving $2 million.

Programs to reduce waste in all forms are at the heart of the Kodak operating system. Kodak Park recycles and reuses more than 644 million pounds of materials per year. A comprehensive tracking system contributes to the company's waste reduction success. Throughout the year, employees recorded detailed information about waste prevention and recycling activities. At the end of each year, Kodak compiles this data, quantifying cost savings and environmental benefits. This system, together with EPA's Project XL Pollution Prevention tools, enables the company to report precise waste reduction figures to WasteWise.

For more information about EPA's WasteWise program and details about the 2003 WasteWise Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, please visit the WasteWise Web site at www.epa.gov/wastewise or contact the WasteWise Help line at 800 EPA-WISE (372-9473).

For more information about Kodak's health, safety, and environmental programs, please visit www.kodak.com/go/hse.

Eastman Kodak Company

James Blamphin, [REDACTED-PHONE], [REDACTED-EMAIL]

www.kodak.com/go/hse

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