EASLEY — A Pickens County industry has been recognized as one of the newest members of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence program (SCEEP).

The State Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) said that Sauer Danfoss, located in Easley, has demonstrated a commitment to excellence by utilizing its environmental management system to manage programs and foster continual improvement in its environmental performance.

“The company has recycled an estimated 700 tons of material since January 2007, which demonstrates a leadership commitment toward improving South Carolina’s environment,” said Bob King, deputy commissioner for Environmental Quality Control for DHEC.

King said the leadership exhibited by Sauer Danfoss includes several initiatives designed to reduce the plant’s waste stream.

“To further lessen its impact on the environment, the facility has instituted aggressive goals for the future, including working toward reductions of wastewater disposal by 10 percent, electrical usage by 10 percent and natural gas usage by 25 percent,” he said.

SCEEP is a voluntary program recognizing South Carolina facilities that have demonstrated environmental performance through pollution prevention, energy and resource conservation and the use of an environmental management system. The program, which was created in 1997, currently consists of 33 members.

Additional information can be obtained by visiting the SCEEP Web page at http://www.scdhec.gov/sceep.