The remanufacturer’s overview of its environmental credentials discusses new standards achieved alongside new developments to increase sustainability.
The report notes that Embatex continues to be in an “ongoing process of improvement”, with “eyes on the future”, and that it is “continuing [its] activities in […] corporate environmental performance”, aiming for “continuous improvement”. Starting the report with “relevant changes”, the company notes that new, computerised systems have improved “traceability in production”, whilst new DIN standards for toner cartridges “were adopted and already implemented” in the remanufacturing process”.
Embatex has made other changes including an air conditioner installed to “achieve the required climatic conditions”; the enlistment of partners “who support the collection of used toner cartridges” as well as one that “allows disassembling for our production [of] unusable cartridges” for reuse; new product certifications from Nordic Swan; and the confirmation that no accidents have been recorded at the company’s sites in both 2012 and 2013.
The document also outlines the company’s history, structure and mission statement, alongside its production process, and notes that the environment is an “important corporate target” for Embatex. Legal compliance, environmental awareness and implementation of measures are discussed, with the company noting that “employees will be encouraged to make suggestions for improvement”, and suppliers are sought out in terms of whether “they [are] dedicated to environmental protection”.
Noting that the environment “should be a concern for all”, the report also looks at the certifications the company’s products have, including the Austrian Environmental Sign (OUZ), Blue Angel, Nordic Swan and LGA, whilst other certifications include ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme).
Other measures taken to improve environmental performance included energy management (including reducing gas and electricity consumption from 2010 by 18 and four percent respectively); adding further certifications to more products; optimising production processes; and being involved in the DIN standardisation process so as to improve the scope for remanufactured cartridges.
The report also goes into detail with tables covering the company’s environmental performance and impact, as well as efficiency, sewage, waste, emissions and biological diversity onsite, with input and output analysis also studied through tables corresponding to tonnage amounts. It concludes by listing a number of facts and figures from 2005 to 2013, including winning the Italian sustainability award in 2012, the TRIGOS and Green awards in 2013 and 2011, a donation of €500,000 ($640,000) to the Rote Nasen charity, and becoming the first company to have 90 products certified by Nordic Swan earlier this year.