Barwon Regional Waste Management Group (BRWMG) collects and processes expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste. They provide a free drop off point for the bulky plastic saving businesses the cost of waste removal and diverting it from landfill. To date 129t of EPS has been diverted. BRWMG then shreds the EPS and works to find recycling opportunities. One example is a local concrete manufacturer that uses the EPS in a successful range of light weight pavers. See … [Read more...]
Rigid plastic packaging recycling
The rigid plastic packaging project found that recycling of 100% post-consumer polypropylene (PP) is technically feasible, cost effective and there are a variety of suitable markets for the recyclate. Potential markets for the recyclate include: Cable reels Compost bins Export pallets Trenching products Binders / folders Pot planters Desk calendars See http://www.packagingcovenant.org.au/page.php?name=natrigidplasticpackagingrecoveryandrecycling0105 … [Read more...]
Fuji Xerox eco remanufacturing
Fuji Xerox is aiming to achieve zero landfill, no pollution and zero illegal disposal. Its Australian eco-manufacturing centre collects used Fuji products such as copiers, printers and cartridges and disassembles them to be re-used and/or re-manufactured into products of equal or better than new condition. The eco-manufacturing centre: has returned $240 million on a $22 million investment over 15 years re-manufactures approximately 250,000 parts and subassemblies annually to ‘better … [Read more...]
Lean and environment tool kits
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has developed a series of guides, tool kits and case studies that show the links between lean systems and environmental sustainability improvements. It recognises that companies that can deliver products and services with fewer environmental impacts have the potential to capture significant competitive advantage, provided that there are not sacrifices in time, quality, or cost. In many markets products with superior environmental performance … [Read more...]
Lockheed Martin hazardous waste management
Lockheed Martin identified a significant amount of unused chemicals going directly to the hazardous waste stream without ever being used, when they expired on-shelf, or when they were no longer needed for research or production. Lockheed Martin moved to a just-in-time chemical management system, with chemicals delivered three times a week in “right-sized” containers to meet real-time demand. At one site they achieved: chemical inventories were dramatically reduced, freeing capital tied up in … [Read more...]
Rejuventation environmental management system
Rejuvenation (USA) a manufacturer of period-authentic reproduction lighting and hardware used an environmental management system based on The Natural Step and Lean manufacturing. Rejuvenation has reduced its environmental wastes and increased quality and profit. Prior to Lean implementation finished products were not inspected until the end of the line at a quality control center requiring expensive rework when mistakes were found. Through their Lean systems the quality control center was … [Read more...]
Santos environmental impact assessment
Santos has published an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Gladstone LNG project which identifies how it will manage potential negative community impact. It includes: Cultural heritage management plans that will be developed with relevant Aboriginal parties. The aim is to prevent any harm to cultural heritage items or areas, however if that cannot be achieved then a harm minimisation approach will be adopted. Social management plans which detail how Santos will monitor the social … [Read more...]
