Over the past decade, it has become clear we all need to do more to reduce the impact of our activities on the environmental integrity of our beautiful planet. In our particular world of graphics and visual communications, this reality embraces every phase of the production chain, from raw materials to printing and finishing. While we at Drytac have always prided ourselves on being ahead of the curve, it has become clear that we need to do even more. With this in mind Drytac have embarked upon a scheme christened 'The Green Umbrella Project', under which a number of initiatives have been put in place:
Reduced Solvent Adhesives
Since 2007 our main coating line has used a lower percentage of solvents (as opposed to water) to under 50%. The switch to aqueous adhesives means zero emissions, safer handling and the elimination of the need to burn off VOCs and a reduction in the quantity of solvents required to clean machines and cylinders.Thermal Oxidizer Burns Off Excess Solvents: Solvents used in the production of our solvent acrylics are now "oxidized" rather than released into the atmosphere, further reducing our overall emissions.
Recycling: All our cardboard packaging used to box products is manufactured with 70% recycled board and are 100% recyclable. The plastic inserts (bungs) used in the 100m rolls are made up of recycled HDPE but also to aid the production process some virgin HDPE is used. They can be recycled and are marked with the recyclable logo on the insert.
All paper and cardboard waste at the Bristol site is also recycled. Paper is collected separately and recycled via a specialist collection service. Cardboard is crushed into bales and collected monthly. We estimate that this action alone has saved 6 skips per year from landfill.
In Progress: Using Non-Recyclable Waster as Fuel
A sample of "non-recyclable" waste from the Bristol, UK site has been sent to a company for evaluation: this company combines various waste products into fuel pellets that can be used as an alternative to coal in power stations. We are waiting for their feedback and approval. If granted all of our production waste film and siliconized release paper will no longer be placed into landfill.
Video Conferencing Contributes to 10% Reduction in Air Travel in 2007
At the beginning of 2007, Drytac President Marc Oosterhuis mandated a 10% reduction for corporate air travel. In order to maintain high levels of communications around the company's offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, Drytac has implemented video-conferencing technology in key locations.
"Video-conferencing isn't quite face-to-face, but it is far more personal than a phone call or e-mail," notes Oosterhuis. "And as is the case with most responsible environmental efforts, the travel reduction saves us a significant amount of money in the current air travel climate."
Oosterhuis noted that the 10% air travel reduction has been achieved even as new management personnel have been added to management ranks.Drytac products with Lower Environmental Impact Include:
-Bamboo Displays Constructed of up to 95% Bamboo
-Interlam Eco Pressure-Sensitive Overlaminating Films
-BlackTac™ Mounting Adhesives
-TriPrint™ Print/Mount/Finishing Solution
-MHA™ HeatSet™ Mounting Adhesive
