(L-R) Matt Hale, Brian Duffy and Thomas Dunne at the recognition program.

A US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program has recognised electric forklift manufacturer Crown for reducing hazardous waste at its forklift plants.

The National Partnership for Environment Priorities (NPEP) presented an achievement award to Crown after it removed chromium from its paint formulations.

By eliminating use of chromium, Crown reclassified more than 300,000lbs (136,077kg) of waste to non-hazardous. Crown now colours, glosses and rust inhibits its forklifts without using ammonium dichromate in its paint formula.

Crown also installed a new powder coat paint line that enabled it to eliminate around 65 per cent of wastewater from its water curtain paint booths, saving more than 200,000lbs (90,718kg) of water and sludge, Crown said.

Brian Duffy, manager for energy, environment & industrial hygiene, said the projects had reduced air emissions and improved the work environment.

Matt Hale, EPA solid waste office director said: "Crown can be proud of its contributions. This year, more than 2.8 million pounds (1.27 million kilograms) in chemical reductions were achieved by all NPEP partners combined. It illustrates the importance of voluntary partnership programs in achieving environmental goals."

The NPEP encourages public and private US organisations to form voluntary partnerships with EPA that reduce use or release of any of 31 priority chemicals.

According to the EPA website, organisations interested in becoming NPEP partners are eligible to receive public recognition for their contributions to NPEP's waste reduction goal. To join the program, go to: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/join.htm.

Crown was designated an EPA waste minimisation partner in 2004, one of only 27 companies at the time.