Eco Credentials
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and making a difference.
Sustainability
We are proud to hold the internationally recognised ISO 14001 standard, which verifies our efforts in designing and implementing an effective Environmental Management System (EMS), giving our clients ultimate peace of mind. The ISO 14001 accreditation compliments our BRC Quality Accreditation, where we have achieved Grade AA.
We subscribe to EcoVadis; a system that allows organisations to evaluate their own and their supply chain’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) levels and environmental efforts. It covers 21 CSR indicators across 4 main themes, including Environment, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. We achieved Silver status in 2021, which places us among the top 25% of companies assessed by EcoVadis.
We are always looking for ways to improve our environmental credentials further. Here are some examples of the projects we have in place and how these are progressing.
Closed Loop Recycling
For the past 10+ years we have managed a closed loop recycling programme for our polypropylene waste, where scrap is returned to the mill and re-used to manufacture and produce more raw material for us. Not only is this the right choice environmentally, but it is a cost-effective solution and a benefit to our business. Adopting this approach also means that there is a lot less visible waste onsite which in turn, leads to a safer working environment for all our colleagues. Since April 2019 our average plastic waste recycling is 81%, of which 50% is recycled directly through the closed loop recycling process.
Design Waste Out
Using standard industry sheet sizes can lead to an awful lot of waste, so we standardise our own sheet sizes. Taking this step ensures that we achieve maximum tool coverage and minimal waste. It’s not just our sheets sizes but also our optimal tool layouts that work hand in hand to be more efficient. Combining these two processes ensures that once the unit hits the production line, any waste is minimised.
Recycling Waste Streams
We aim to emboss all our unbranded die-cut items with the correct mobius loop recycle symbol. If the item is printed, we encourage our customers to include the correct mobius loop recycle symbol on the artwork. These measures help ensure the unit is placed into the correct recycling stream at the end of its life. Fortunately, our products stay within the control of the retailers who can manage their end of life in a consistent manner (they are not taken home by consumers).
Materials
Lighthouse have aligned themselves with retailer’s sustainability objectives, encouraging the use of approved materials such as recycled board, PET and Polyporopylene which are more environmentally friendly, and avoiding materials such as PVC which cannot be easily recycled.
Other incentives
Forest Carbon / Carbon Neutral
We can work with you to make the polypropylene material used carbon neutral, by offsetting this through the Forest Carbon scheme. We have initiated a trial and acquired our first certificate!
Recycled Polypropylene
In principle we are able to increase our current ‘up to 30% recycled content’ to a fixed percentage, up to 100% recycled material. However, as recycled material is dependent on the consistent availability of recycled polypropylene waste material that has been returned to the mill, availability is inconsistent and can’t be guaranteed. We are optimistic that, with the increasing pressure to recycle, more material will be returned and this will lead to a consistent supply. If a fixed percentage of recycled content is of interest to you, please get in touch to discuss this further and we can keep you updated on the progress of this project.
QR Codes for Sustainability
We are currently working with two retail customers to support the return of units at ‘end of life’ to us to be reused or recycled. Using QR codes printed directly onto our POS items, we are able to provide detailed information on what to do next for staff in the retail environment, and at the same time provide reassurance for the growing number of sustainability conscious consumers. Please contact us for more information.
Ready to talk?
Whatever your requirements, our team have the know-how to help you reach customers fast. Please get in touch to discuss your project.
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