Sustainability Consortium Welcomes Turtle Mountain

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Turtle Mountain, producer of premium dairy-free foods, has joined The Sustainability Consortium, an independent organization that provides decision makers and policymakers with a broader understanding of how new and innovative organizational strategies and technologies can assist in meeting various environmental, economic and social objectives. The consortium, co-directed by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University, is made up of some of the world’s leading retailers, such as Walmart, Best Buy, Disney and Safeway, and such leading consumer product manufacturers such as Alberto Culver, MillerCoors, General Mills and Procter and Gamble.

For Turtle Mountain, headquartered in Eugene, Ore., consortium membership is one way the company can learn from others and grow their sustainability efforts.

“We’re still early in the game as far as sustainability goes,” said Hansel New, sustainability manager for Turtle Mountain. “By collaborating and forming relationships with top retailers like Safeway and Walmart, we can align our systems so we are compatible with the places selling our products. We want to focus our efforts on the scientific foundations of life cycle analysis and gain efficiencies through new processes and measurement tools.”

Turtle Mountain looks to other companies that started out small and have grown based on a foundation of sustainable business practices. The consortium provides an opportunity to compare best practices and apply those practices to future goals.

“We focus on an integrated, holistic approach to sustainability,” said New. “One of the greatest gains from joining the consortium will be access to tools and resources as we move forward and grow our business. We can also stay on top of the ways the industry is changing, and we can contribute to that change.”

“One of the consortium’s greatest strengths is the diversity of organizations getting involved,” said Jon Johnson, co-director of the consortium and director of the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. “Leaders in the field are coming together with organizations that are just getting started, and the information sharing in all directions is priceless. We are pleased to welcome Turtle Mountain to the consortium. They are an innovative and successful group that brings a new way of thinking to the table.”

Co-administered by Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas, The Sustainability Consortium researches and publishes findings on the life cycle impacts of various product categories. The consortium is a group of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives product sustainability innovation. The Sustainability Consortium is a part of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University and the Applied Sustainability Center at the University of Arkansas. You can find more information about these institutes at http://sustainability.asu.edu and http://asc.uark.edu. Learn more about the Sustainability Consortium at www.sustainabilityconsortium.org.