Stonyfield Farm is the world’s leading organic yogurt maker, founded in 1983 with a mission to demonstrate that environmentally and socially responsible businesses can also be profitable. Stonyfield’s environmental commitment remains at the core of its business activities, and continues to be a key differentiator among its competitors.
In 1997, Stonyfield Farm was America’s first manufacturer to offset 100 percent of the CO2 emissions from its facility energy use. Its manufacturing facility is home to the largest photovoltaic array in the state of New Hampshire as well as an anaerobic pre-treatment system that generates energy from its yogurt processing wastes. This treatment system uses 40 percent less energy and generates 90 percent less waste than conventional dairy treatment systems.
Since 2002, Public Service of New Hampshire has partnered with Stonyfield Farm to support energy efficiency initiatives at its manufacturing facility and corporate offices in Londonderry and Manchester, New Hampshire.. These include:
- Energy efficient compressors
- Energy efficient motors with variable speed drives
- High efficiency lighting
- Improving thermal envelope of its refrigerated warehouse
- Energy efficient refrigeration system
In late 2007, Stonyfield Farm improved their process heat generation efficiency from 81 percent to 95 percent by reducing spike loads, installing heat recovery capability on its boiler stacks, refrigeration and air compressor systems, and meeting heat requirements most efficiently by separating low and high temperature loads. These efforts have an expected payback of three years. With a new plant-wide energy measurement system, additional improvements are underway.
Stonyfield Farm’s senior management, through the leadership of President and CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg, has provided unparalleled direction in its environmental efforts. The company’s Mission Action Program holds employees accountable for setting and achieving goals in areas including sustainable packaging, zero waste, facility emissions, milk production emissions, and transportation and distribution.
| Energy Efficiency for Clean, Lean and Green Growth | |
| Total Annual Energy Savings | 797,000 kWh |
| 12 % reduction in electric use | |
| Total Annual Cost Savings | $80,400 |
| Years of Investment | 5 years |
| Total Project Cost | $291,000 |
| Public Rate Payer Funded Efficiency Program Contribution | $122,160 |
| Customer Contribution | $168,840 |
| Customer Payback Period | 2.1 years |