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Monadnock Paper Mills Named 2010 Greenerpalooza Award Winner

Monadnock Paper Mills was green before green was cool. Back in 1973, the company installed its own wastewater purification facilities before federal regulations for the Mill were even established. That was just the beginning of a long, fruitful and enduring relationship between the Bennington-based paper manufacturer and the environment.

For its long history of environmental stewardship, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. was recently presented with the 2010 Greenerpalooza Award as part of the Greenerpalooza III festivities at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion. Presented by the New Hampshire Business Resource Center and the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in coordination with key sponsors Public Service of New Hampshire, Citizens Bank and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review, Greenerpalooza is a celebration of energy efficiency efforts in the state of New Hampshire. With the backdrop of a Sheryl Crow concert, attendees were able to learn more about the latest energy efficient products and services offered in the Granite State.

(L. to R.) Citizens Bank President Cathleen Schmidt joins Monadnock Paper Mills CEO Richard Verney, Public Service of NH Economic and Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director Chris Lockwood and NH Business Review Advertising Consultant Trudy Sutherland at Greenerpalooza III.

(L. to R.) Citizens Bank President Cathleen Schmidt joins Monadnock Paper Mills CEO Richard Verney, Public Service of NH Economic and Community Development Manager Pat McDermott, NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy, Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Marketing Director Chris Lockwood and NH Business Review Advertising Consultant Trudy Sutherland at Greenerpalooza III.

“Monadnock Paper Mills is a model of how businesses can both ‘go’ and ‘remain’ green,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy in making the announcement. “Long before there was a strong national push to become more energy efficient, Monadnock was demonstrating corporate citizenship of the highest order.”

Amongst the company’s many accomplishments, Monadnock generates electrical power with five turbines on four low-impact hydroelectric dams along the Contoocook River. Over the course of a year, the normal flow of the river allows the company to produce up to 50 percent of its electric needs, a clean, renewable energy option that reduces Monadnock’s overall dependence on fossil fuels.

In addition, four years ago, Monadnock replaced over 1,000 facility lighting systems from old fluorescent fixtures to new fluorescent fixtures with QHEL Supersaver electronic ballasts, reflector and supersaver lamps. They also replaced over 100 standard on/off switches and ceiling mounted fixtures with occupancy sensors. The quantity of energy saved is approximately 794,948 kWh per year, with an estimated annual savings of $115,124.

Perhaps most impressive, the mill’s solid waste, or short paper fiber extracted during the water purification process, is 100 percent reclaimed and used by New Hampshire’s local farms in applications such as compost and animal bedding as well as in the production of manufactured topsoil.

“There’s no doubt that this company is an example of how a business can not only be profitable, but also be environmentally aware and helpful to its neighbors,” Duddy added. “The Greenerpalooza Award is designed specifically for model companies like this.”  

To learn more about Monadnock Paper Mills, visit www.mpm.com. To discover the latest happenings with Greenerpalooza, visit Greenerpalooza III Facebook page at www.facebook.com/greennh.

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