what ’ s working : sustainability
A Crisp Snack That ’ s Good for the Environment
From field to family , Washington ’ s homegrown potato chip maker has kept environmentally-friendly operations at the forefront long before it was cool .
employer : Tim ’ s Cascade Snacks location : Auburn number of employees : 90
product : Thirty years ago , Tim ’ s Cascade Style Potato Chips was started in a make-shift facility in Auburn . It has been a beloved , local and environmentally-friendly snack ever since . Offering a delightful crispy taste and memorable chip called “ the best potato chip in Seattle ” in 1988 , and recipient of awards from Esquire and The American Culinary Institute , Tim ’ s continues to enjoy a cult-like following , and receives fan mail from around the globe .
innovative environmental stewardship : Long before the days of environmental awards , green movements , and higher energy costs , Tim ’ s Cascade Snacks was building sustainability into their operations as a general course of business , not an afterthought .
The company ’ s Green Team , established more than 15 years ago , is constantly finding new ways to improve their already efficient production process , including using some of the smallest bags in the industry to create less waste . Tim ’ s also recycles used oil into products such as biodiesel , uses recyclable products such as cardboard for shipping , and sends unused potatoes and chips to ranches for livestock feed . It has made 66 percent fewer trips to the landfill due to hefty recycling efforts . Alongside these efforts , the company is conscious of using less water , utilizing the most energy-efficient equipment available , redirecting heat generated by equipment to warm the facility and reducing energy use with efficient lighting and natural sunlight .
Their work has not gone unnoticed . In 1993 , 1994 and 1995 , Tim ’ s received pollution prevention , recycling and water conservation awards and in 2001 the company received AWB ’ s Environmental Excellence Award .
in their own words : “ Before the days of environmental awards , green movements , and higher energy costs , Tim ’ s Cascade Snacks was aware of its role on this planet . Since our company ’ s inception in 1986 , we ’ ve used less , reused more , and recycled everyday . We continue to do so because we believe it is the only way to do business .” — Jeff Leichleiter , general manager , Tim ’ s Cascade Snacks
www . timschips . com summer 2016 23