Recycle, Reuse, Recover

Spartech has initiated numerous recycling programs. With over 50 facilities and 3,200 employees, even a small initiative like office recycling of aluminum cans, plastic containers, glass containers, and paper materials results in a significant amount of recycled materials.

Over 95% of the material we purchase for extrusion purposes gets utilized thanks to our unique closed loop scrap recovery system and other scrap initiatives. Many of our plants achieve over 99% utilization.

We have also initiated other recycle and reuse programs such as customer scrap programs and reusable pallets for some standard size products.

ISO 14001 ISO 14001 is a voluntary structured system for defining, reviewing and assuring compliance of production facilities with regulatory requirements. Currently 20 of our facilities are ISO 14001 certified and several other facilities have similar practices in place. This process allows us to not simply comply with regulatory requirements but to reach beyond compliance and target environmental excellence. Donora 1 becomes first plant to achieve ISO 14001 Complete list of ISO rated facilities
USEPA WasteWise Initiatives WasteWise is a voluntary program sponsored by the USEPA that helps companies minimize their solid waste (waste plastic, cardboard packaging, and wood pallets and lumber), shares best practices, and recognizes organizations for extraordinary performance in reducing waste. Spartech has received recognition for three consecutive years ('01,'02,'03). Our Spartech Industries division received a Waste Wise "Program Champion" award in 2003 and Spartech Plastics received an honorable mention award in 2003. Other WasteWise Programs	USEPA
Lean Initiatives Lean Manufacturing is another strategic initiative that has been implemented here at Spartech. This cultural shift, which stresses the elimination of all waste and the development of customer satisfaction through the use of teamwork, applies to all manufacturing and office operations and processes. Whether the lean project targets shortening our set up times, which saves electricity, minimizes start-up scrap, reduces labor, and improves lead times, or the project targets quicker customer quotes, which includes a paperless quote system and faster customer response, Lean is truly "Green". By eliminating waste, the realization of Lean creates added capacity, reduced lead times, and greater manufacturing flexibility, all of which allow us to better serve our customers and contributes to our commitment of resources sustainability and stewardship.
Production Material Utilization Over 99% of the material we purchase for extrusion purposes gets utilized thanks to our unique closed loop scrap recovery system and other scrap initiatives. These initiatives allow for all edge scrap that is generated in our processes and most start-up and transition material to be used right back into our product stream.
Reclaim Programs We realize that there will always be a certain amount of trim scrap at our thermoforming and printing customers. Where possible, we have developed scrap recycling programs that allow us to reuse such materials right back into that customer's product.
Office/Plant Recycling Initiatives In most of our facilities, we have implemented an office and lunch room recycling program. Aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles and containers, and paper products are all segregated for easy recyclability. With over 50 facilities and 3,200 employees, this adds up to a significant amount of recycled products.
USEPA NEPT Membership The NEPT (National Environmental Performance Track) is a voluntary program sponsored by the USEPA. NEPT Rewards facilities whose environmental performance goes "beyond compliance." This organization consists of an elite group of manufacturing facilities of just over 350 members in the entire US. Spartech has four member facilities. Spartech Member Plants To access applications & Annual Progress Reports , see the following link.
EHS Expertise/Emphasis Spartech not only has resources at facility locations, but also has a corporate team of EHS (environmental, health, and safety) experts to help identify, manage, and drive many of the programs associated with reducing waste and complying with regulatory directives within our facilities.