Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Temple-Inland paperboard mill in Maysville is accepted for state's environmental leadership program

MAYSVILLE, Ky. (May 8, 2006) - Temple-Inland, one of the nation’s premier manufacturers of corrugated packaging, has been accepted as a Master member of KY EXCEL, the environmental leadership program established by Governor Ernie Fletcher’s administration.

The company voluntarily pledged to go beyond what Kentucky law requires in reducing sulfur dioxide emissions, waste and chemical use at its paperboard mill in Maysville. It also committed the mill to greater energy efficiency.

"Temple-Inland’s dedication to environmental principles provides an excellent example for the rest of Kentucky’s industries," said Aaron Keatley, director of the Division of Compliance Assistance in the Department for Environmental Protection. The division is responsible for the administration of KY EXCEL.

"We are excited about the Maysville mill’s commitment to environmental excellence and are pleased to welcome the facility and its employees as an inaugural member of KY EXCEL," Keatley said.

Temple-Inland is the first member accepted into KY EXCEL from Kentucky’s northern region. Master membership is the highest of four membership levels offered by the program. To become a KY EXCEL Master, the facility demonstrated comprehensive environmental management planning, conducted an independent third-party assessment of the facility’s compliance and committed to complete and report on at least four voluntary projects that will benefit Kentucky’s environment.

In 2004, Temple-Inland’s Maysville mill was accepted into the National Environmental Performance Track, a leadership program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fewer than 400 companies have been accepted for membership in the national program, which rewards facilities that work with their communities, set three-year goals for voluntary continuous improvements in environmental performance and have internal systems in place to manage their environmental impacts. Only facilities with a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements may participate.

Temple-Inland’s Maysville mill recycles corrugated containers to make linerboard that is shipped throughout the Midwest. The linerboard is made from 100 percent recycled materials. Since its start in 1992, the mill’s production has prevented 5 million tons of old corrugated containers from going to landfills.

"The people at the Maysville mill are proud to be part of these new steps to an improved environment for the state of Kentucky and truly embrace the Temple-Inland value of making environmental stewardship part of each person’s job," stated Marc L. Cates, the Temple-Inland Maysville mill manager.

KY EXCEL was launched in 2006 by the Department for Environmental Protection and is designed to encourage and recognize voluntary efforts that improve Kentucky’s environment. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in learning more about KY EXCEL can obtain information online at www.dca.ky.gov <http://www.dca.ky.gov> or by calling the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance at (800) 926-8111.