Each of our major operations has an environmental scorecard to measure compliance, sustainability efforts and associate involvement. The scorecard drives continuous improvement, with facility and company goals for water reduction, recycling, energy conservation and CO2 emissions.
Since opening the soybean crushing plant in Bainbridge, Pennsylvania in 2018, Perdue AgriBusiness has set a new standard for environmentally conscious agriculture processing.
Perdue continues to partner with the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maximize energy efficiency. This innovative collaboration has allowed the Bainbridge plant to significantly shrink its environmental footprint, making it one of the greenest facilities of its kind.
The state-of-the-art facility has revolutionized soybean processing, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and wastewater generation. Instead, Perdue harnesses the let-down steam from LCSWMA’s waste-to-energy process to power its operations, a move that has saved an impressive 33,700 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in the last six years alone — equivalent to preventing the burning of 35.9 million pounds of coal.
Completing the circle, Perdue sends used process water back to LCSWMA, which treats and reuses it as a part of their zero-discharge program. Perdue sent 22.35 million gallons of used process water back to LCSWMA in 2023, which otherwise would have to be treated and potentially discharged to the Susquehanna River.
Moreover, Perdue’s Bainbridge plant has streamlined the supply chain for Pennsylvania farmers, offering them a convenient local solution for processing soybeans. Previously, farmers had to contend with transportation costs and out-of-state processing facilities, eating into their margins. With Perdue’s facility in their backyard, farmers now have a one-stop shop, fostering local economic growth and supporting the state’s agricultural community.
Since 2018, Perdue has collaborated with over 3,500 farmers across Pennsylvania, processing 88 million bushels of soybeans annually. This not only meets the local demand but also significantly contributes to Pennsylvania’s agricultural output, where soybean production stands at 29.6 million bushels annually, while the state consumes over 44 million bushels of soybean meal each year.
Perdue’s commitment to sustainability and local empowerment sets a new precedent in agricultural processing. By prioritizing environmental responsibility and community collaboration, the Bainbridge plant exemplifies how innovation and partnership can pave the way towards a more sustainable future in agriculture.
Perdue AgriBusiness is making significant capital investments to improve its internal infrastructure, which is leading to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
At its Marietta, Pennsylvania crude oil transloading facility, Perdue invested in rail infrastructure that now limits the number of trucks we put on the road. Railroad transport has been shown to be three to four times more fuel efficient than truck transport.
Prior to our capital improvements, 100% of the oil that left our nearby Bainbridge, Pennsylvania oil seed crush plant, traveled via tank truck. Following our capital improvements, in 2023 Perdue removed the equivalent of 724 trucks off state roadways: that’s equal to avoiding roughly 152 metric tons of emissions annually.
Our operations recycle metal, paper, plastic and packaging material.
Our corporate office in Salisbury, Md., is certified LEED Platinum, the Green Building Council's highest certification.
Learn about the steps we're taking to reach our goal of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.
