Envirowise Case Studies

Efficient use of resources for the UK plastics industry

These guides have been prepared for Envirowise by recognised industry experts in plastics processing, and are designed to offer practical advice on the best and most cost-effective approaches.

GG277: Finding and Reducing Waste in Plastics Processing

Waste is a significant hidden cost for many plastics processing companies in the UK. This Good Practice Guide describes the various stages of assessing business performance based on waste as a key performance indicator and suggests how to achieve quick savings by reducing waste. Checklists to help companies assess their environmental performance and achieve continual improvement are provided as Microsoft Word files on a CD-ROM supplied with the Guide. Industry Examples highlight the cost savings and other benefits of using waste as a key performance indicator. March 2001

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CS274: Process changes at plastics company saves cost and waste:

This Case Study describes the benefits to a plastics company of implementing a long-term waste minimisation plan. A number of cost-saving changes to process control were introduced without compromising quality. Steps were also taken to involve customers and staff before any changes were made to improve the company's operations. The successes include improvements to process control which have resulted in a 6% reduction in raw material purchase of polymer and a saving of £400 000/year in material costs. March 2001

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CS399: EMS DRIVES DOWN WASTE FOR PLASTICS MANUFACTURER

This Action Profile outlines the benefits to a company of having a structured framework for reducing waste and improving environmental performance. McKechnie Plastic Components responded to supply chain pressure by appointing an environmental co-ordinator in 1998 to develop an accredited environmental management system (EMS). The success of this approach surprised the company which was able to make considerable cost savings through simple environmental improvements and reducing waste. The EMS is now an integral part of the business and the company uses it to help set goals for on-going cost reductions. From the targets set in 2001, cost savings are estimated at £93 400/year.

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GG377 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY: CUT COSTS IN PLASTICS PROCESSING

Companies that become more resource efficient save money because they make more product whilst using less materials, utilities and effort. This Envirowise Good Practice Guide provides training materials to help plastics processing companies implement a resource efficiency programme. The guide comes with a CD-ROM containing four workbooks designed for training directors, managers, supervisors and operators about resource efficiency. An additional information manual is also provided on the CD. The slide presentations which accompany the workbooks are provided as Microsoft PowerPoint 97 files and as PDF files, for trainers who wish to prepare overheads. These files can also be downloaded directly from the website.

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