Hormel has been recognized again for being environmentally friendly.

Hormel Foods Corp. announced Friday it received two out of four possible American Meat Institute Environmental Achievement Awards in the categories of environmental technology, outreach and training programs and resource conservation. The awards were presented at the AMI Conference on Worker Safety, Human Resources and the Environment in Kansas City, Mo., on March 20.

“We are honored to receive this recognition in the environmental technology, outreach and training programs category for our corporate headquarters expansion project, and in the resource conservation category for our water conservation efforts at Burke Corporation,” said Thomas Raymond, director of environmental sustainability. “These projects demonstrate our commitment to corporate responsibility and are a testament of the dedication and hard work of our outstanding team of employees.”

This is the fifth year AMI has sponsored this awards program, which recognizes companies in four categories: environmental technology; outreach and training programs; pollution prevention; resource conservation; and social and economic sustainability.

Corp. headquarters expansion reduces Hormel’s footprint

The company’s corporate headquarters expansion in Austin achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification as a result of the sustainable design and construction practices employed.

The expansion area was designed and constructed to minimize energy and water usage. Energy savings were achieved through highly efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems, and water savings were achieved through the use of ultra low flow fixtures and a gray water system that collects rain water and utilizes ground water from the foundation drainage system.

As a result, this project achieved 46 percent energy reduction and 70 percent potable water reduction, and is expected to operate with utility costs 40 percent less than standard construction.