West Liberty Foods announced that it achieved its goal of earning “landfill free” designation from the NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd. Within a calendar year.

The verification of the company’s West Liberty, Iowa, plant was dated Dec. 13, the company announced in a news release. It said that it was among the first companies in the U.S. to have its “landfill free” status verified by a third party organization.

“The West Liberty team used innovation to convert soiled plastic in to a combustible material that would be accepted by the disposal incinerator,” Chief Operating Officer Gerald Lessard said in the release. “The utilization of this technology exemplified the innovative character of West liberty Foods and our team members.”

West Liberty’s Utah facility earned its designation in March while the Mount Pleasant, Iowa, plant earned the distinction in July.

“This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in the history of our company, our industry and our state,” CEO  Ed Garrett said in the release.

West Liberty Foods is a private label supplier and co-packer of sliced deli meats and fully cooked IQF products.