Spandex has received ISO 14001:2015 accreditation for its manufacturing site in Lancaster.
The 7,000sqm Lancaster factory manufactures media products for ImagePerfect, Spandex’s own brand of self-adhesive signage and digital films for sign and graphics producers. The site ships ImagePerfect products to Spandex subsidiaries in Europe and Australia.
This is the first time Spandex has applied for formal accreditation after working to the ISO 14001 guidelines for a number of years. ISO 14001:2015 is an environmental management system that includes a set of tools and standards for companies looking to manage their environmental responsibilities. ISO 14001 complements Spandex’s ISO 9001 certification for its quality management systems.
Francis Obi, Operations Manager, Spandex Lancaster, comments: “We are delighted to have gained ISO 14001:2015 accreditation for our manufacturing facility. Our aim in pursuing the ISO accreditation was to adopt and fully embed a structured framework for improving all environmental aspects of the business.
This includes maintaining our site policy of zero waste to landfill and a commitment to the reduction of energy consumption and waste solvents.”
ISO 14001 accreditation recognises Spandex’s commitment to continuous improvement in environmental practices at the site. The site has achieved its goal of zero waste to landfill with all physical waste now recycled or converted to fuel.
Through investment in its factory oxidizer the site has halved its VOC emissions, achieving typical levels of less than 10mg per Nm3, significantly lower than the UK standard of 50mg per Nm3. Spandex continues to seek to reduce its VOC emissions further by sourcing lower solvent alternatives to current product components.
Francis concludes: “The 14001 accreditation was a factory wide initiative which covered all aspects of the business and was achieved by everyone working together towards a common goal. In particular, praise was given to the operational aspects of the factory, which showed high levels of housekeeping, all equipment controls within parameters and any waste from factory processes identified and segregated prior to collection.”
Other areas taken into account for the accreditation included Spandex’s environmental policy, which demonstrates its commitment to continually improving and reducing environmental impacts; Spandex’s commitment to meeting customer and regulatory requirements; and proactive management of all waste streams, i.e. emissions, solvents, plastic, cardboard and wood. Spandex also complies with all relevant environmental law around pollution control and waste management and has targets in place for continued carbon footprint reduction.
