Communicating Sustainability Through Action

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One of USPOUTRY’s critical objectives is to serve our poultry and egg members through communication. One aspect of this communication effort relates to highlighting the dedication and skill that is continually demonstrated by those in the poultry and egg workforce. During the Environmental Management Seminar, scheduled for Sept. 18-19, USPOULTRY will present its Clean Water Award for the 24th consecutive year. While it is not yet the silver anniversary of the award program, we will once again recognize the efforts of those who work in this area of the industry and achieve outcomes that are frankly more valuable than silver or gold.

These outcomes, the treatment of wastewater generated during the harvesting and processing of poultry and egg products, are completed by accomplished individuals. Each day, they perform as chemists, biologists, mathematicians and engineers. The systems they manage are living, breathing, highly efficient ecosystems. The system’s ability to treat wastewater relies on the expertise and intuition of those overseeing these facilities.

Treating the wastewater generated during the harvesting, processing and rendering of poultry, eggs and poultry by-products is highly regulated. In many cases, wastewater treatment facilities are obligated to meet specific water quality targets before water can be discharged back into the environment or to a municipal sewer system.

Facilities with these requirements typically operate under a federal permit issued through the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.  The permits and local ordinances that regulate poultry and egg wastewater treatment plants are a license to operate not only the treatment plant, but the entire processing facility as well. Failure to adhere to the wastewater discharge effluent guidelines can bring fines, legal penalties and termination of the facility’s permission to discharge. For this reason, facilities that are nominated for USPOULTRY’s Clean Water Award are required to have operated for a minimum of two years with no significant occurrences of non-compliance, notices of violation or any other type of enforcement action.

Now more than ever, we must clearly demonstrate the poultry and egg industry’s commitment to thoroughly treating wastewater from our facilities, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was compelled by a lawsuit in December 2024 to review – and possibly implement – stricter discharge limits for the meat and poultry products industry.  The EPA has alleged that these new federal standards are needed because many meat and poultry wastewater treatment plants are not regulated; however,  a recently completed survey performed by our industry of more than 160 plants that operate in the meat and poultry industry indicates that 97% of the plants surveyed are regulated under a state and or local pretreatment program and more than 80% of the plants surveyed are subject to limits on at least one of the categories of pollutants the EPA claims they are not subject to.  

While the award’s title would imply its sole focus is on the highly efficient treatment of wastewater, the foundational core of the award is sustainability. Knowing that the earth’s supply of water is finite, it is imperative from a sustainability standpoint that the water used to harvest and provide a wholesome and economical source of protein to consumers is reclaimed, treated to a high standard and recycled.  

The award’s underlying theme of sustainability is additionally addressed in asking for information on a facility’s investment and engagement with the community, commitment to wildlife management and enhancement programs, water conservation and reuse and recycling programs implemented at the facility.

Sustainability is now a standard expectation for businesses, and these awards offer the poultry and egg industry an important opportunity to highlight its long-standing commitment to sustainable practices.  If we don’t share the story of our responsible efforts, others will tell it for us – and likely in a way that misrepresents the truth.  

Applications for the 2024 Clean Water Award are now being accepted, and I would like to take this opportunity to challenge all USPOULTRY member companies to apply for this year’s competition. Not only to recognize the great work performed by the professionals that operate these facilities, but also to communicate the industry’s dedication to sustainability and the protection of the environment.  

A National Award winner and runner-up will be named for both "Full Treatment" and "Pretreatment" facilities. Any USPOULTRY member company that processes poultry, eggs or poultry by-products and operates a wastewater treatment plant is eligible to submit up to three nominees in each category. Facilities that have previously won the award may not be re-nominated for five years.

Applications can be downloaded on the USPOULTRY website at:  https://www.uspoultry.org/programs/environment/cw-award/. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Paul Bredwell at 678. 514.1973.

<Article Tags>

• Wastewater
• Environmental
• Sustainability
• Poultry
• Egg