West Liberty, Iowa – Officials with West Liberty Foods, L.L.C. announced its Mount Pleasant, Iowa meat-processing plant has earned the designation of operating a “landfill-free” facility by eliminating more than 2 million lbs. of waste that previously was deposited in a local landfill each year.

The company’s landfill-free status was verified by NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd., and is WLF’s second plant to achieve the designation. This is the second WLF facility to become landfill free, as its Trementon-based plant was the first to earn the distinction. Officials say the initiative will soon be companywide as its West Liberty-based plant is scheduled to achieve landfill-free status by the end of the year.

“To have two of our facilities ‘landfill free’ in the same year is a fulfilling achievement,” said Gerald Lessard, WLF’s vice president and chief operating officer. “I’m proud of the hard work, dedication and the engagement of our team members in becoming ‘landfill free’.

After conducting an internal audit of its internal auditing efforts, the company identified vendors in the area to facilitate recycling more of its waste into energy. Employees were then trained on new processes developed to recycle waste rather than relying on landfills to handle it. WLF credits the cooperation of its employees for making the program successful.

“Having another facility earn ‘landfill free’ designation exemplifies West Liberty Foods’ exceptional commitment to protecting the environment,” said Tony Giles, NSF-ISR Business Development Director.