Rust-Oleum earns environmental award from EPA New England

Attleboro, MA manufacturing facility honored for reducing landfill waste

VERNON HILLS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rust-Oleum has been honored with an Environmental Merit Award from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA New England selected Rust-Oleum’s manufacturing facility in Attleboro, Massachusetts, for making outstanding contributions to protect New England's environment.

Rust-Oleum’s plant in Attleboro is one of the world's largest refiners of seedlac, used to make shellac. Shellac, which comes from the secretions of an insect, does not release toxins or microplastics.

Among unavoidable wastes is "Red Mud," a residual consisting of portions of seedlac. Over 18 months, Rust-Oleum diverted almost a million pounds of this non-toxic waste to composting facilities instead of sending it to landfills. Composters were initially skeptical of this unfamiliar material, so a two-year testing program was implemented to alleviate any environmental impact concerns.

Tony Ferri, environmental health & safety manager at Rust-Oleum, led the project. He hopes Rust-Oleum’s success inspires other New England companies to reduce landfill waste and costs while promoting environmental stewardship in their communities.

“The efforts on this project by Tony and his Attleboro team have resulted in the avoidance of more than 25 tons per month of landfill waste, which is remarkable,” said Dave Herrington, vice president of environmental health & safety, RPM Consumer Group. “This is a great accomplishment and shows our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

The plant in Attleboro manufactures Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primers, among other products, and is one of 10 Rust-Oleum manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

For over fifty years, New England EPA's Environmental Merit Awards Program has honored teachers, citizen activists, business leaders, scientists, public officials, and others who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of the region's public health and natural environment.

About Rust-Oleum

For more than a century, Rust-Oleum has been a global leader in manufacturing innovative coatings that empower do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike across categories, including small project paints, cleaners, primers, automotive, industrial, high performance coatings and wood care. Its wide breadth of brands and products include such trusted names as Rust-Oleum, Stops Rust®, Painter’s Touch®, Universal®, EpoxyShield®, Varathane®, Zinsser®, Watco®, MultiSpec®, X-I-M®, Krud Kutter®, RockSolid®, Wipe New®, Testors®, Seal-Krete®, Modern Masters®, Moldex®, Whink®, Miracle Sealants®, Roto-Rooter®, Mean Green®, Concrobium®, and Gator® Finishing Products. Visit rustoleum.com for more information. Follow Rust-Oleum on LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.