MARS Inc. products are always looked at as a bit of a guilty pleasure. You know you like them, you know you want them, and yet you are still inclined to look at the nutrition information on the back of the pack just after you take the first bite.
However, an announcement released by the company a few days ago, might actually help you change your mindset and reduce some of that guilt. The makers of the chocolate goodness released their plans to invest in a construction of a giant wind farm in Texas, that will generate enough electricity as it is needed to power all their offices and factories. Now, although that bite might not be doing much good to your waistline, at least it will not be harming the environment.
The wind farm project is part of the strategy of the company to reach their carefully planned goals. In a short term, or by the end of 2015 to be more precise, the MARS and SNICKERS aim to cut down fossil fuel energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water use by 25% and hit the target of “zero waste to landfill”. By 2040, the company is planning to use 100% renewables and generate zero emissions.
So, a few more details about the wind farm. It will be gigantic! A total of 118 wind turbines will be producing 800,000 MWh per year, an amount of electricity, which could easily power more than 60,000 US homes. Although this will only cut down the company’s carbon footprint by 24%, the amount will be sufficient to cover the equivalent of the energy usage of all 37 factories that they own in the US. The giant wind farm is planned to emerge near Lamesa, Texas.
It is nice to see that more and more companies are now committing to renewables and doing their best to protect the environment. Although not many are generating the electricity they use directly, at least they are sending renewable energy to the grid, helping the government reach their targets. Apple, Google, IKEA, now MARS, let’s hope the list is only going to get longer from here.
Image (c) Bloomberg
