Our Foundry is naturally circular. On average, a piece of Lodge Cast Iron cookware is composed of 61% recycled materials, including 12% recycled steel and 49% recycled iron reclaimed from the line.
Sustainability at Lodge Cast Iron
Lodge Cast Iron has been making heirloom-quality cookware and accessories since 1896. Backed by over 129+ years of experience, each piece of Lodge cookware is crafted for durability and versatility. By investing in a piece of Lodge Cast Iron, you're not just buying cookware, you're making memories that can last for generations.
In every decision made at the foundry, local and environmental impact is at the forefront of our minds. This has led to creating comprehensive recycling programs and investing in foundry equipment that reduces pollution and minimises consumption of electricity.
Read our 2025 Sustainability Report here
Iron foundries have been recycling long before "being green" was cool. Here are some of Lodge's continuing environmental success stories.
Made to last generations
One of the most meaningful environmental impacts we can have as a cookware company is to create products that last a lifetime. A typical nonstick pan can last as little as three years before it loses its coating and must be discarded, while a Lodge Cast Iron pan lasts literal generations.
Putting recycled materials to work
99% plastic-free packaging
In 2022, we transitioned all our labels to use 50% less material. In total, our packaging is 99% plastic free and predominantly sourced from within 300 miles of our Foundry.
Electrifying the Lodge foundry
In 1991, after nearly 100 years of burning fossil fuels, we replaced the coal-fired cupola in our foundry with an electromagnetic induction melt furnace. A foundry induction furnace uses on average 25% less energy than a cupola and eliminates air pollution from burning fossil fuels on site.
Prioritizing employee wellness
Lodge has a Wellness Center on campus to provide reliable healthcare to over 500 employees and their families; in 2023, over 44% of our employees received their annual wellness exams free of cost, right on our South Pittsburg campus.
Leading with a culture of safety
As an organization, creating a safe work environment is an ongoing goal. In 2024, we proudly passed an important safety milestone: more than 1,000,000 collective hours without a lost time injury. We are one of two US foundries recognized by the American Foundry Society for achieving this milestone in 2024.
ENERGY STAR® Partnership
In 2011, Lodge accepted the ENERGY STAR® challenge to reduce consumption by 10% over a 5 year period. We are extremely proud to have surpassed the 10% and in less than 1 year. Our continuing efforts to monitor and reduce energy consumption at our foundry, warehouse, and offices have led to an increase in energy efficiency of nearly 20%!
Hazardous Waste Reduction
Lodge received the 1994 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction: In 1991, company President Henry Lodge replaced the cupola melting system with a more environmentally friendly induction melt system. The result was that Lodge Manufacturing changed its status as a Large Quantity Generator of Hazardous Waste to Small Quantity Generator.
Cardboard Recycling
Lodge began cardboard recycling by allowing outside companies to pick up cardboard. In 2001, the amount of cardboard recycled was 34.5 tons. In 2005, it was 48 tons. In 2012, it grew to 109 tons. The program continues to this day.
Reuse of Foundry Sand
Lodge coordinates with Marion County government to reuse over 250 tons of foundry molding sand each year for various local projects including creating a protective layer at the Marion County Landfill. This not only saves thousands of dollars, but also helps our local environment.
Settling Ponds Support Plant & Animal Life
A stream flows from South Pittsburg Mountain through the Lodge foundry and into the Lake Guntersville Reservoir Watershed. Working to enhance the stream’s water, Lodge constructed three storm water settling ponds to support plant and animal life. Water lilies, cattails and fish have been introduced to the ponds and are thriving. Our wastewater is now cleaner than the river into which it flows.
Planting Trees for Beautification & Ozone Attainment
A total of 121 trees have been planted on the Lodge campus to help improve air quality and beautification. The establishment of 1.4 acres of trees is equivalent to removing one motor vehicle from the highway.