Waupaca Foundry Celebrates 10 Years in Wisconsin's Green Tier Program
Megan Mulholland | Waupaca FoundryWaupaca Foundry is proud to celebrate its 10-year anniversary as a member of Wisconsin’s Green Tier program. This milestone reflects a decade of commitment to industry-leading environmental performance and sustainable foundry (or metalcasting?) practices.
photo caption: The Newly designed Green Tier logo seal signifying a decade of environmental achievement. It is a visible symbol of participating business’s dedication to continuous improvement.
Green Tier is a voluntary program through the Wisconsin DNR that recognizes and supports organizations committed to going beyond environmental compliance. Program participants collaborate with the state to promote innovation, reduce environmental risk, and improve sustainability across their operations. Membership is granted to companies that implement and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) and demonstrate a strong track record of environmental stewardship.
Waupaca Foundry joined the program in 2015 as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce its environmental footprint, conserve natural resources, and strengthen its communities. Over the past 10 years, the foundry has made measurable progress in reducing energy use, improving air quality, recycling foundry byproducts, and investing in sustainable technology.
“The DNR is proud to have a long-standing partnership with your organization,” said Weston Wegener, Sustainability and Business Support Coordinator for the Green Tier program. “Waupaca Foundry’s leadership and environmental excellence directly benefit all Wisconsinites. We are appreciative of the progress that you have made over these past 10 years in Green Tier, and we look forward to our continued work together.”
To mark the occasion, Waupaca Foundry will be recognized at the Green Tier Connections Event at Heritage Hill State Park in Green Bay on October 28, 2025. During the event, Waupaca Foundry will be presented with a commemorative plaque from the Wisconsin DNR as a token of appreciation for a decade of environmental progress and partnership.
Participation in Green Tier has not only helped Waupaca Foundry enhance its compliance and performance but also provided a framework for employee involvement and continuous improvement. Through its EMS and sustainability programs, the foundry has achieved key milestones including:
“Environmental responsibility is part of our company’s DNA,” said Bryant Esch, Waupaca Foundry’s Corporate Sustainability Manager. “Being part of Green Tier has helped us formalize our goals and push ourselves to do more each year. It’s not just about meeting standards—it’s about leading by example in our industry and being good stewards of the environment.”
As Waupaca Foundry looks to the next 10 years, the gray and ductile iron parts supplier remains committed to working with the Wisconsin DNR, industry partners, and local communities to find innovative solutions to environmental challenges and build a more sustainable future.
For more information about the Wisconsin Green Tier program, visit: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/GreenTier/Overview.html
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photo caption: The Newly designed Green Tier logo seal signifying a decade of environmental achievement. It is a visible symbol of participating business’s dedication to continuous improvement.Green Tier is a voluntary program through the Wisconsin DNR that recognizes and supports organizations committed to going beyond environmental compliance. Program participants collaborate with the state to promote innovation, reduce environmental risk, and improve sustainability across their operations. Membership is granted to companies that implement and maintain an Environmental Management System (EMS) and demonstrate a strong track record of environmental stewardship.
Waupaca Foundry joined the program in 2015 as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce its environmental footprint, conserve natural resources, and strengthen its communities. Over the past 10 years, the foundry has made measurable progress in reducing energy use, improving air quality, recycling foundry byproducts, and investing in sustainable technology.
“The DNR is proud to have a long-standing partnership with your organization,” said Weston Wegener, Sustainability and Business Support Coordinator for the Green Tier program. “Waupaca Foundry’s leadership and environmental excellence directly benefit all Wisconsinites. We are appreciative of the progress that you have made over these past 10 years in Green Tier, and we look forward to our continued work together.”
To mark the occasion, Waupaca Foundry will be recognized at the Green Tier Connections Event at Heritage Hill State Park in Green Bay on October 28, 2025. During the event, Waupaca Foundry will be presented with a commemorative plaque from the Wisconsin DNR as a token of appreciation for a decade of environmental progress and partnership.
Participation in Green Tier has not only helped Waupaca Foundry enhance its compliance and performance but also provided a framework for employee involvement and continuous improvement. Through its EMS and sustainability programs, the foundry has achieved key milestones including:
- Reducing energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions per ton of iron produced
- Increasing beneficial reuse of foundry sand and slag
- Upgrading equipment to more energy-efficient technologies
- Partnering with local communities on environmental education and stewardship
- Implementing waste reduction and recycling initiatives across multiple locations
“Environmental responsibility is part of our company’s DNA,” said Bryant Esch, Waupaca Foundry’s Corporate Sustainability Manager. “Being part of Green Tier has helped us formalize our goals and push ourselves to do more each year. It’s not just about meeting standards—it’s about leading by example in our industry and being good stewards of the environment.”
As Waupaca Foundry looks to the next 10 years, the gray and ductile iron parts supplier remains committed to working with the Wisconsin DNR, industry partners, and local communities to find innovative solutions to environmental challenges and build a more sustainable future.
For more information about the Wisconsin Green Tier program, visit: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/GreenTier/Overview.html
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