American Textile Hits Recycling Button

Pittsburgh — Going green with a vengeance is basic bedding manufacturer American Textile Company (ATC). The company is reducing its waste stream, using recycled material in its packaging, and creating a new executive position to steward these and other environmental initiatives.

ATC has named John Angelini its first-ever vp of compliance and sustainability. Formerly vp of marketing, Angelini has taken to his new role by contracting with Pittsburgh Recycling Services to recycle cardboard, office paper and shrink-wrap generated at the ATC Duquesne manufacturing facility. Every week, approximately 2.5 tons of waste will be recycled instead of dumped into a landfill — with a yearly estimate of more than 130 tons recycled.

Meanwhile ATC, which makes mattress and pillow protectors, bed pillows and mattress pads, is introducing eco-friendly packaging for products including its flagship, the Aller-Ease line. The new packaging will be made from recyclable cardboard material, instead of the previously used plastic. This packaging change alone — slated to begin being used on ATC retail products by the end of 2008 — is estimated to cut the company's plastic landfill waste by 300,000 pounds annually.

"This is just one of several steps we are taking as a company to be more environmentally conscious and to help preserve the planet for future generations," said Angelini.