Environmental Leader

Energy-efficiency improvements at Frankston Packaging Co., a manufacturer of cartons, displays, boxes and transparency films, have resulted in 21 percent lower energy use per unit of production compared to four years ago. The improvements also have yielded significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

With help from Lime Energy, the energy-efficiency lighting project is expected to return 100 percent of the net investment in the first year because of reduced electricity use, reduced maintenance expenses, accelerated depreciation tax treatment through the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), and a rebate from Oncor, the local electric utility.

The new lighting system provides more uniform lighting throughout the plant and warehouse, reduces inventory to only one lighting product for maintenance, and lasts three and one-half times longer than the previous lighting system, said the company.

In addition to the annual electricity savings, the project is expected to reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by 470,000 pounds, sulfur dioxide by 1,800 pounds and nitrogen oxides by 1,100 pounds annually.