Stratham, NH — Lindt & Sprüngli (USA), Inc. plans to burn its cocoa shells to produce electricity in a power plant owned by Public Service of New Hampshire.

In March 2009, Lindt tested burning the shells and determined the remains could be integrated in one of its power plant’s coal boilers. The company says it is reducing its own carbon impact by shortening the production process, and by disposing of byproducts in a responsible way.

Every ton of cocoa shells used to generate electricity will replace one half-ton of coal and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide the plant would produce while burning fossil fuels. New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services approved the plan to use cocoa bean shells as a supplementary fuel source at the plant.