At Blue Star, we aim to reduce our global footprint through the following initiatives:

Sustainable Sourcing from Sustainable Fisheries

Blue Star is committed to responsible sourcing. We only support local fishermen that use environmentally friendly fishing practices.



The following is a list of sustainable measures taken by the fishermen we work with:

- Artisanal Fishing Practices, which are less intensive and less stressful on fish and crab population.
- The use of safer crabbing equipment, which allow juvenile crabs to escape.
- The respect of pregnant crabs, which allows the species to breed and replenish the population.

Blue Star exclusively uses blue swimming crab, which is NOT an endangered species. However we know that the catch sizes are getting smaller, hence suggesting the biomass is dropping. We are doing our part to ensure the sustainability of the blue swimming crab population by instituting a minimum "Pre-Pasteurization" weight requirement of 3.5 grams per piece in our Jumbo Lump specifications. Blue Star does NOT pack or commercialize petite jumbo lump. These actions give juvenile crabs the opportunity to breed and replenish the population. The brands currently packing "Petite Jumbo Lump" are: Royal Blue, Clayton, Richie, Little River, Byrd, SeaChest, Trade Winds & Andalas.

Energy and Waste Reduction via Ethical and Sustainable Packaging

At Blue Star we are committed to going green by reducing energy and waste through our innovative packaging. Blue Star has led the way in ethical and sustainable packaging since the introduction of our green packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat in 2003.



How Eco-Fresh Crabmeat Pouches reduce energy:

- Our innovative green packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat requires 45% less energy to produce than cans.
- The compact size of our green packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat reduces fossil fuel and energy consumption in storage and transport.
- Our packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat uses less non-renewable fuel energy than a can or a cup by shortening the cooking times during the pasteurization process.

How Eco-Fresh Crabmeat Pouches reduce waste:

Our green packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat uses less waste material than cans and plastic cups used by other pasteurized crab meat companies.

- 72% less than 8oz plastic cups
- 67% less than 1lb plastic cups
- 86% less than 1lb can

Our foresight in packaging has saved over 866 tons of metal or 380 tons of plastic material that would have required environmentally harmful waste management by combustion or land filling.

Since the introduction of our green packaging for Eco-Fresh crab meat in 2003, our committed and environmentally conscious customers have purchased nearly 12 million of our revolutionary pouches!

Green Transportation

At Blue Star, we exclusively conduct business with vendors that share our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Our primary transportation provider in The United States, FFE Transportation Service, uses the following green initiatives to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and improve energy security:

- FFE is a SmartWay Transport Partner committed to "Getting There with Cleaner Air."
- Every truck in FFE's fleet is currently equipped with EPA 2004 engines or newer.
- Constant upgrades are made to replace the fleet with environmentally friendly models that have fuel efficient tires, aerodynamic styling, and skirts.
- FEE only uses environmentally friendly refrigerant in temperature controlled trailers.
- Every truck in the fleet is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).
- FFE's fleet is required to maintain a speed below 62mph.
- FEE has a fuel Optimizer Program to reduce out of route miles.
- Every truck in the fleet has an idle management device.
- FEE recycles used oil and other by-products.

Recycling Programs

Blue Star has implemented the following recycling initiatives in an effort to help the environment:

- We have a recycling program in conjunction with Waste Management.
- We use energy efficient light bulbs in our plants and headquarters.
- We have implemented a recyclable corrugated cardboard program at our headquarters by donating our used cardboard to smaller companies who recycle them into paper pulp for Latin America.

RETAIL
RETORT PLASTIC CUPS 8oz
- Retort plastic cups 8 oz time needed 110 minutes
- Retort plastic cups capacity 3 basket x 324 pcs = 972
- Fuel consumption per cooking times 110 min: 18.33 liter

RETORT POUCH 6oz
- Retort pouch 6 oz time needed 75 minutes
- Retort pouch capacity 3 basket x 360 pcs = 1080 pcs
- Fuel retort consumption per cooking times 75 min = 12.5 liter

31.8% less non-renewable fuel Energy and 11% increase in production output by Blue Star when using retort pouches vs. plastic cups

FOODSERVICE
PASTEURIZED in open face tank (CANS 1lb).
- Cooking/Pasteurizing time: 155 minutes
- Pasteurize Tank Capacity: 8 baskets x 72 can = 576 lbs / past
  576 lbs take 155 minutes to pasteurize
- Fuel consumption per hour (60 min) average: 13 liter
- Fuel consumption per cooking time (155 minutes) average: 33.58 liter



PASTEURIZED in RETORT (POUCHES 1lb)
- Cooking/Retort time: 115 minutes
- Retort Capacity: 3 baskets x 180 pcs = 543 pcs
  543 lbs take 115 minutes to pasteurize and 576 lbs take 122 minutes to pasteurize
- Retort fuel consumption per hour (60 min): 9 liter
- Retort consumption per cooking times 122 min = 18.29 liter

45.53% non-renewable source of energy saved by BLUE STAR when using retort pouches vs. cans.

Read About our Sustainability efforts in both Quality and Community.