Smithfield also announced the first senior director of Smithfield Renewables, Kraig Westerbeek. Westerbeek will report to the chief sustainability officer, lead and oversee greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and keep the company accountable for achieving its goals in addition to his responsibilities as director of Hog Production Division Environmental Affairs.
“Smithfield has long led the industry in sustainability and its environmental commitments,” Westerbeek said. “Smithfield Renewables will ensure we continue to lead in this arena by further sharpening our focus on programs that help us reduce our carbon footprint and recycle energy more efficiently.”
Westerbeek will lead an advisory committee that evaluates and helps direct the company strategy for renewable energy projects at farms and facilities. This includes refrigeration, boiler and other equipment upgrades at facilities, and manure conversion into useful products from fertilizer to renewable energy sources on farms.
“At Smithfield Foods, we are known for producing good food responsibly and our bold environmental commitments,” said Kenneth Sullivan, president and CEO of Smithfield. “By launching Smithfield Renewables, we are better positioned to achieve these goals and continue setting pioneering environmental programs.”
Click here to view a video about Smithfield Renewables
Click here for Smithfield’s most recent Sustainability Report.
