Lilly Improves Its Environmental Footprint in Business Operations and Helps Beautify Communities

Two environmental goals achieved three years ahead of schedule

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Oct 04, 2011, 08:00 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) today announced that it is improving its environmental footprint by achieving two of the company's three environmental goals ahead of schedule. Through the end of 2010, the company reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by about 50 percent and has reduced its water intake by more than 30 percent. Lilly remains on track to meet its energy goal. Lilly has improved the energy efficiency of its operations by almost 12 percent while greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by more than 9 percent through 2010.

The goals were established for a five-year period beginning in 2008, using 2007 performance as a baseline. The company had aimed for a 40 percent reduction in waste to landfills and a 25 percent reduction in water intake by 2013. By 2013, the company hopes to achieve a 15 percent improvement in energy efficiency and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Through the efforts of our employees worldwide, we're making great progress to lessen our environmental impact in the communities where we operate," said Steve Gillman, vice president of health, safety, and environment. "We take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to finding more ways to use resources more efficiently and improve our performance."

Lilly has been able to avoid disposing of waste by reducing, reusing, and recycling in its business operations. Such efforts have resulted in only 10 percent of waste being sent to landfills last year. The company has six locations that have achieved a zero-landfill status including facilities in research, manufacturing and distribution.

Overall in 2010, the company reused approximately 65 percent of its waste. For example, mycelia, a solid material left after a fermentation process, is being used as a soil conditioner on farmland to improve plant growth. And spent urea, a material used in insulin production, is being used as an ingredient in fertilizer manufacturing.

In 2007, Lilly's water intake was almost 20 billion liters for the company's facilities worldwide. Last year the total amount of water brought into the company's facilities had been reduced to 13.3 billion liters. Water intake reduction was achieved by improving the efficiency of operations, identifying and repairing leaks in water systems, improving purified-water production, and treating and reusing water in cooling tower systems.

In response to meeting these goals ahead of schedule, the company has established new waste and water goals for a two-year period, 2011-2013, using 2010 results as a baseline. The new goals are:

Water – reduce water intake by five percent

Waste – reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills by 20 percent, with an ultimate goal of zero-landfill

"While we're making great progress, we know we still have much more work to do," Gillman said. "We'll continue to work aggressively to achieve our environmental goals and reduce our footprint."

Today's announcement comes in advance of Lilly's Global Day of Service being held this week on October 6. An estimated 24,000 employees from 34 countries will participate in Global Day Service activities focused on improving communities worldwide including projects that will enhance outdoor spaces. In Indianapolis, where Lilly is headquartered, Global Day of Service volunteers, will plant 3,000 trees and 14,000 plants to refresh parks, trails and neighborhoods, in an effort to improve green space and encourage more people to get out, get active, and enjoy the many natural health benefits associated with outdoor activities.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information ─ for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com. CR-LLY

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company