We’re Always Improving Our Sugar And Our Sustainability.

With the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population estimated to be only a fraction of what it once was, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation began an oyster gardening program throughout the region. This initiative collaborates with waterfront businesses and residents to help restore the Bay’s native oyster population and is an effort that Domino® Sugar is honored to be a part of. 

Employees at our Domino® Sugar Baltimore Refinery support this program each fall, filling wire mesh cages with hundreds of baby oysters, known as spat. The mesh cages are provided by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and are lowered into the water beneath one of the refinery's piers. Every few weeks, dozens of employees volunteer to pull the cages out of the harbor, scrub off sediment and algae, and ensure the continued flow of oxygen and phytoplankton to the growing oysters. 

In the spring, once the oysters are larger and less susceptible to predation, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation transfers the oysters to a sanctuary reef on the Patapsco River near the Bay entrance. Domino® Sugar is proud to raise more than 100,000 oysters annually, moving the Chesapeake Bay Foundation closer to its goal of eventually adding 10 billion oysters to the area’s waters by 2025 and improving water quality for generations to come.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. These are the most common ways recommended for individuals and companies alike to lessen their environmental impact. That’s why you’ll be glad to know Domino® Sugar is committed to doing all three!

At our storied refinery in Yonkers, NY, we’ve made significant investments in process water recirculation systems that allow us to make the most out of every drop of water throughout the process of crafting our high-quality sugars. In our historic facility, we use modern technology that helps us use 55% less water overall by reclaiming it at various steps, filtering it and reapplying it in other ways. Nothing is wasted, everything runs smoothly and, in the end, it’s a sweeter world for us all.

On July 4, 2021, Domino® Sugar celebrated the relighting of its Baltimore Refinery’s iconic sign, which recently underwent a large-scale, sustainable restoration to mark the 100th year of operation for this storied facility that has been an economic engine for the city and a proud part of its South Baltimore community since 1922.
 
“For nearly 70 years, the ‘Domino Sugar sign has lit the Baltimore skyline as an icon to locals, a beacon to travelers, an inspiration to artists and a symbol that our refinery is a part of the community.” said Vice President of Corporate Engineering Rich Baker. “In our 100th year in Baltimore, there can be no better way to recommit ourselves to the city than by restoring the sign and making sure that it shines for many decades into the future.” 
 
During the restoration, we removed the sign’s deteriorated letters and border, which had been battered by the elements for 70 years, repaired the sign’s steel piers, repainted the entire support structure and installed eco-friendly lighting. The sign’s reproduced letters and border feature state-of-the-art LED lighting that saves more than 33,000 kWh of electricity per year and reduces more than 23 metric tons of CO2. A photovoltaic array of 76 solar panels on one of the refinery’s administration buildings produces more clean, renewable energy each year than is needed to power the sign. 
 
On the night of the relighting, neighbors and visitors along the city’s waterfront were treated to a light display on the façade of the sign, a laser graphics display on the refinery’s bin tower, and fireworks over the harbor. The sign was then relit by the refinery’s longest-serving employee, laboratory analyst Charlotte Hardy, who has worked at the plant for more than 52 years. The new sign now stands as a testament of the company’s commitment to the Baltimore community and ongoing efforts to improve sustainability in all we do.

We’re always looking to become more eco-friendly, and recently, that meant looking closely at our iconic packaging itself. By converting from double-ply to single-ply paper for our 4-lb. bags of Domino® Sugar, we were able to reduce our paper use by more than 240,000 pounds a year. The change was made possible by identifying the right packaging paper and replacing and modifying equipment along our packaging lines to ensure the new bags would be just as strong at their lighter weight. “We are using proven technology to boost efficiency to make a huge impact”, said Senior Director of Packaging Operations Sean Gary. By using technology and innovation we are able to increase efficiency.  You’re not likely to notice the difference the next time you reach for a bag of Domino® Sugar but, less paper equals a happier planet.