P&G Counting on the Sun and the Wind

Procter & Gamble has installed its first wind turbine at its pet care plant in Coevorden, Netherlands.

The turbine became operational on Jan. 26 and is expected to supply approximately 17% of the plant's annual energy consumption.

The turbine is estimated to produce approximately 5,500 megawatt hours of energy per year. And since I know you are wondering how many houses that would power, the answer is 1,500.

As for the sun, solar panels will be installed atop the company's Beauty & Grooming plant in Cologne, Germany. Construction begins in the spring of this year and the company expects production of 796 megawatt hours of energy per year by the summer.

This energy system is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 544 metric tons per year.

These two efforts are part of a larger goal that the company is pursuing. Their vision includes:

*Powering plants with 100% renewable energy

*Using 100% renewable or recycled materials for all products and packaging

*Having zero consumer and manufacturing waste go to landfills