Sustainability

Environmental Stewardship

Performance plastic, defined as durable or multiple use plastics, offer unique opportunities to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle; minimizing overall environmental impact through many material applications over a broad and diverse marketplace. 

Similarly there is a lot we can do at our workplaces to measure our environmental stewardship whether you are a large or small company; whether you have environmental programs in place or not.

IAPD is committed to providing the tools to raise your environmental stewardship to the next level. Besides being kind to our planet, sustainability leads to improved profitability, safety and is vital to your company’s ability to recruit the next generation of performance plastics professionals.

Success Stories

 

GreenScene

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Articles

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Glossary

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FAQs

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Getting Started

1. Getting Started

Here are some simple first steps:

  • At the weekly staff meeting. Get your company “with the program.” Make sure everyone got the memo before the meeting. Better still, find a midlevel “champion” to drive some changes. Buy-in at all levels of the organization is key to this type of change.
  • Recycle your own plastic scrap whenever possible. Examples of internal recycling include off-cut racks, remnant sales, “free” boxes and donations to schools and other non-profits.
  • Post labels throughout your facility to turn off lights, electronics, computers and machines when not in use.
  • Put up “No Idling” signs at loading docks and in parking lots.
  • Encourage reusable coffee mugs and water cups.
  • Segregate and recycle everyday paper, plastic, glass and aluminum.
  • Avoid heating and air conditioning vacant spaces.
  • Use programmable thermostats.
  • Periodically solicit comments from your staff describing any progress or setbacks and suggestions on how the company can do more.

 

2. Keep It Going

  • Look for greater efficiency in your operation that creates less waste.
  • Install motion detecting light switches.
  • Caulk skylights and high windows to save energy.
  • Check and seal entry doors for gaps.
  • Adjust air dampers and replace dirty air filters in ventilation systems.
  • Ask your local utility to come in for an energy audit – many have programs and funding for upgrades.
  • Get lots of backup drives and go digital – scan instead of copy to save paper.
  • If you have to print, encourage double-sided printing and reuse paper for internal communications.
  • Support green vendors.

 

3. Make the Commitment

  • Install renewable energy systems at your facility.
  • Purchase energy from companies that get their energy from renewable sources.
  • Convert DC drives to AC drives.
  • Reduce your demand charge on your electric bill by turning lights and motors on and off separately at the beginning and at the end of the day.
  • Install screens on dock doors to pull in fresh air.
  • Use Exhaust/Intake fans to create a more comfortable working environment without the need for HVAC systems.
  • Use “swamp” or evaporative coolers instead of air conditioning where possible.
  • Switch your fleet to hybrid vehicles for delivery and warehouse services.

Apply for an Environmental Award