MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury Natural Food Co-Op was recently honored for its leadership in sustainability at the second annual Casella Sustainability Leadership Award Ceremony. 

The Casella Sustainability Leadership Awards represent a commitment to creating a better tomorrow and showcase the grit, drive, and determination that has led each award recipient down their own individual sustainability paths. These impressive leaders were selected out of dozens of qualifying nominations including municipalities, colleges and universities, community organizations, industrial manufacturers, food and beverage producers, and more.

“It gives us a great sense of pride to honor Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op for their innovative work in prioritizing sustainable practices,” said John W. Casella, Chairman and CEO of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. “Their work inspires us every day and we hope that by shining the spotlight on them that others will be driven to improve the sustainability of their operations.”

Middlebury Natural Food Co-Op is the perfect example of a smaller Casella customer making an important impact. The Co-op has successfully deployed Casella recycling, organics, and solutions services to achieve an impressive 74% recycling rate and continues to prioritize sustainable practices throughout its day-to-day operations in the forms of food composting, cardboard collection, and promotion of reusable packaging.

“It was a big surprise to receive this award and a big honor for the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op,” expressed recently retired cooperative general manager Glenn Lower. “Reducing waste is a high priority for both the member-owners and the staff that work here, so we do a lot in our work that’s here to try to reduce our environmental impact. It’s been a really amazing partnership and relationship with Casella.”

MNFC was among seven award winners honored on Wednesday, April 20, at a virtual awards ceremony. Other winners included Cabot/Agri-Mark, GlobalFoundries, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, St. Paul’s School, the town of Stratham, N.H., and Tufts University as customers who are standing out among their peers in their efforts to reach their sustainability goals.

For more information on the 2022 Casella Sustainability Leadership Award or to view the virtual ceremony event, visit casella.com/sla.