Sharing Knowledge to Drive New Ideas and Initiatives for Reuse, Recycling and Remanufacturing
Each year we have 365 days to make a meaningful difference in our world by embracing curiosity and the ability to bring about positive change with passion and promise.
As Dr. Jane Goodall, an outspoken environmental advocate, once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
With environmental issues such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, or melting ice caps continuing to threaten communities and ecosystems, embracing practices like reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing is more crucial than ever. These actions help mitigate contamination of soil and water from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect wildlife from plastic pollution. Additionally, by reusing materials and remanufacturing products, we conserve valuable raw materials while limiting the need for new resources.
A team-based approach, especially in the manufacturing industry, is essential for solving these complex issues. Collaboration across the supply chain is vital to achieving effective recycling systems, shared resources, and innovative solutions.
Albert Einstein also famously said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” To create lasting impact, we must adopt new ways of thinking and unify in our efforts towards sustainability.
Through our own personal actions, company-wide initiatives, or efforts to track and limit resource use, emissions and waste generation across the supply chain, we create a ripple effect and help to make the world a better home.
Implementing recycling programmes at manufacturing sites is never easy. Coordinating with multiple recycling vendors is a major challenge as each has its own set of requirements and guidelines, which can vary by material type or location. The oversight of recycling logistics requires constant monitoring of collection schedules, transportation, and sorting processes, all of which can face operational inconsistencies. Effective recycling also demands collaboration across various departments and teams within the organisation, with clear communication and the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure alignment, drive understanding and provide direction for execution.
Beyond initial implementation, continuous collaboration is required to address emerging issues, adapt to new regulations, and ensure success. All of these factors contribute to the complexity of setting up and maintaining a successful recycling programme, highlighting the need for ongoing adaptability and a team-oriented approach.
While most of our Tape Solutions sites across the globe have recycling programmes, we highlight our Wayne, NJ site and their programme which serves as an exceptional example of how a strong framework can lead to meaningful results.
A noteworthy achievement of the Wayne, NJ site is its receipt of the North American environmental award for its implementation of a visual waste management system. While the plant has designated areas for different materials such as oil absorbents, metals, films, papers, batteries, electronics and light bulbs, a dynamic visual design such as colour-coded containers shows employees where to dispose of each type of material, providing added guidance for error-free disposal. There are also regular checks to ensure that waste is correctly separated. These efforts are supported by a specialised maintenance team that helps move waste from collection points to larger areas, where it can be properly processed and eventually picked up by waste hauliers. These efforts not only ensure a smoother recycling process, but reduce contamination, an issue that can lead to penalties from waste management companies.
David shared that while the plant has made significant strides in areas such as recycling films, PTFE and aluminium, tackling challenges one day at a time is unavoidable. For example, the availability of technology and vendors to recycle these materials is limited. Optimisation of the recycling process also remains a hurdle. Persistence is key.
By challenging employees to stay curious, look for new opportunities and challenge the status quo, the Wayne, NJ plant achieves small successes one day at a time. To guide this success, the plant has adopted a strategy focused on continuous training to keep employees informed about recycling protocols. Every October, employees undergo environmental training, including a review of the waste collection process. Everyone is expected to understand their individual role in reducing waste.
The efforts of the Wayne, NJ plant have been recognised as best practices, crucial for improving efforts across different regions including Brazil and Mexico.
Internal Tape Solutions recycling programmes are guided by sharing best practices and success stories such as those from Wayne, NJ. However, the key to success is also the ability to explore how these efforts can be extended to customers and partners. Partnerships and alliances with various recycling vendors are significant drivers of success. These alliances not only create avenues for processing scrap materials but also contribute to overall operational efficiency and cost savings. The financial benefits are twofold: these partnerships lower disposal costs and provide a means to offer cost-efficient raw materials for customers.
Our teams are actively exploring how we can partner with customers on challenges with silicone recycling, for example. The goal is to recycle waste, explore ways to reuse and reformulate recycled materials, and reduce costs for everyone involved. While these initiatives are still in their early stages, there is great potential for creating a more circular economy, beneficial to everyone involved.