(PRESS RELEASE) SAN RAMON, CA— CooperVision’s Puerto Rico production site has received the Greenovation Award from Kimberly-Clark Professional for its sustainability efforts. This marks the second consecutive year it received the environmental leadership honor.
The company’s Juana Diaz facility, which manufactures and packages a range of CooperVision brands such as Biofinity silicone hydrogel contact lenses, diverted 1,601 pounds of traditionally difficult-to-recycle nitrile gloves from landfills in 2019. These gloves are worn as part of the company’s protocols for making high quality products. Used gloves were processed into nitrile powder, which is then molded into eco-friendly consumer products and durable goods.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Kimberly-Clark Professional and its RightCycle recycling program,” said Vimaris Ortiz, senior environmental, health and safety manager for CooperVision’s Puerto Rico campus. “CooperVision is continuously exploring and implementing ventures around the world that extend our sustainability commitments. Our innovative approaches have even greater impacts when we partner with other organizations who share our dedication.”
The Greenovation/Chelsea Santucci Awards were established in 2013 to recognize exemplary contributions from RightCycle participants.
The nitrile glove diversion program is one of many CooperVision environmental initiatives focused on saving water, conserving energy; reducing, reusing and recycling resources; and empowering people within the company and the communities in which it operates. The company also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focused on good health and well-being, responsible consumption and production, and partnerships. Learn more here.