During the past few years, the baking industry has been at the forefront of sustainability among American manufacturers.

Since 2016, 30 commercial bread and roll bakeries have earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification. Of that, 24 received the award last year. In 2017, these certified bakeries avoided 2,126,406 BTUs and greenhouse gas emissions by 153,110 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), noted Rasma Zvaners, vice-president, regulatory and technical services, American Bakers Association.

Moreover, since 2010, 21 cookie and cracker bakeries received certification. In all, they reduce energy by 1,874,449 BTUs and GHG by 944,454 metric tons CO2e. When it comes to environmental stewardship, Bimbo Bakeries USA remains one of the leaders of the pack.

The E.P.A. recently reaffirmed that reputation by naming the Horsham, Pa., company as a 2018 Energy Star Partner of the Year.

“We seek to actively exceed expectations of environmentally conscious audiences,” said Ramon Rivera, B.B.U.’s senior vice-president of operations. “We have implemented programs across the country to improve water, power and energy savings, reduce air emissions and manage waste using an environmentally responsible system.”

Since 2013, 14 B.B.U. bakeries received E.P.A.’s Energy Star certification while 11 others achieved the goals for Energy Star Challenge for the Industry, a global call-to-action for industrial sites to reduce their energy intensity by 10% within five years. Overall, 177 U.S. bakeries have taken the Challenge for Industry, with 20 of them achieving the challenge as of end of last year, according to Ms. Zvaners. That’s taking corporate responsibility to a whole new level.