Distribution center hits milestone in recyclable packaging

Sept. 23 -- A key milestone has been reached in an effort to bring 100% recyclable wholesale packaging to the Hunt´s Point Distribution Center in New York, the largest food distribution center in the world.

Mountaire Farms, a large poultry company, is now converting its New York City business, as well as its Lumberbridge, N.C., site, to the use of recyclable and compostable boxes supplied by Interstate Container.

Interstate and Mountaire Farms have been testing the packaging since earlier this year at Hunt´s Point, according to Global Green USA´s Coalition for Resource Recovery.

The conversion away from wax-coated boxes will cover 6,000 tons of poultry boxes per year in the New York City market, the coalition said.

This is one of several projects by the Coalition for Resource Recovery "dedicated to generating business value through creating a sustainable, zero waste New York City," the group said.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com