Spandex has achieved ISO 14001:2015 accreditation for its manufacturing site in Lancaster. The 7,000m2 factory makes 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 throughout Europe and to Australia.
This is the first time Spandex has applied for formal accreditation after working to the ISO 14001 environmental management guidelines for a number of years. Spandex Lancaster operations manager Francis Obi, said: "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, which has now achieved its goal of zero waste to landfill - all physical waste is 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.
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.
