Waste reduction is an integral part of our standard operating procedure beginning with injection mold designs for new products. Runner systems are designed to minimize sprue waste; including the use of hot runner systems, when appropriate. Likewise, our Rigorous Mold Tryout (RMT) process ensures that we establish optimum process parameters prior to the start of production in order to ensure high quality parts in order to minimize scrap. Additionally, robots and grinders are used to immediately reintroduce sprues back into the feed stream when our customer’s design allows it. We also utilize error-proofing sensors in both our molding and assembly processes whenever possible in order to prevent nonconforming parts (e.g. waste) from being produced.
We have robust recycling programs in place and strong relationships recycling partners in all of the regions in which we operate in order to minimize landfill usage. Our recycling partners recycle plastics, cardboard, wood, metals, used oil, and all other universal waste streams.
The above actions help us to minimize waste and landfill usage. Recycling and landfill waste is a key metric of our Environmental Management System and is monitored and reported on annually. The chart below reflects our most recent accounting of recycling and landfill usage. We also account for end-of-life metrics within our Scope greenhouse gas metrics.
