Sanofi Winner in Natural Resources Category in Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards

Sanofi a global healthcare company, has been given the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award in the Natural Resources category. The award is one of nine in different categories announced today by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

In a display of corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship, Sanofi has invested over $20 million in the voluntary investigation, remediation, and restoration of the historic 1,485-acre Arrows Mine Site in Maury County.

Though Sanofi has never operated at the site, they have spent two decades reversing the environmental damage from over a century of intensive industrial use, transforming the once-blighted landscape into a beacon of sustainability and community partnership.

Sanofi’s end goal is to return the Arrows Mine Site back to the people of Tennessee as a public park and recreational destination. Arrow Lake, once one of Middle Tennessee’s premier fishing spots, could once again become a place of fun, health, and natural beauty for generations to come. The site has become a model for ecological healing and community renewal.

The Arrows Mine Site near Mount Pleasant was central to Tennessee’s phosphate mining boom which started in the 1890s. Over time, it hosted industrial activities ranging from phosphate processing and electric arc furnacing to pesticide manufacturing and aluminum smelting which left significant environmental challenges, including contaminated soils, ponds, and sediment.

Sanofi has worked for over 16 years to complete environmental cleanup and restoration. The company has capped and consolidated more than 200,000 tons of contaminated material, including phosphorus-impacted soils and electric arc slag; removed and disposed of 350 tons of polychlorinated biphenyl contaminated (PCB) soil; dredged phosphorus-laden sediments from waterways; cleaned up hundreds of tons of illegally dumped waste, including tires, electronics, and construction debris; and performed voluntary dam safety improvements, including spillway replacement and emergency planning for the historic Arrow Lake Dam.

Recognizing the site’s historic connection to the community, Sanofi helped create the Arrow Lake Foundation, contributing nearly $280,000 to support local health, education, and conservation efforts.

Other winners of the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards announced today in different categories are:

• Clean Air and Transportation Solutions – Averitt, a supply and logistics company
• Agriculture and Forestry – Cul2vate, a faith-driven nonprofit
• Water Quality – Copperhill Industries
• Sustainable Performance – The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Building Green – Donelson branch of the Nashville Public Library
• Education and Outreach – University of Tennessee Extension Smart Yards program
• Materials Management – WM (formerly known as Waste Management)
• Energy and Renewable Resources – White Pine Solar Farm