Fujifilm has received Zero to Landfill certification from Valpak, a provider of environmental compliance and recycling solutions.
The company’s Broadstairs ink manufacturing site earned the certification. It manufactures high-performance inks for various markets, including Uvijet wide-format UV inkjet inks and Sericol screen inks. The company has implemented systems, technologies, and processes at the site to monitor and measure its progress and take steps to reduce its environmental impact.
The Valpak certification confirms the site sends zero packaging, production or hazardous waste to landfill. It also highlights the company’s commitment to continuously improving its waste management through reducing, recycling and reusing resources.
The certification process involved a comprehensive audit of Fujifilm’s on-site waste management practices, including its recycling initiatives. Bronwynn Harris, Waste & Resource Traceability consultant at Valpak, says, “We are delighted to certify Fujifilm’s Broadstairs site with ‘Zero to Landfill’ status. The company’s commitment to sustainability and the team’s proactive approach to waste management serve as an exemplary model for other companies to follow. The achievement highlights the significant impact that dedicated waste management practices can have on our planet.”
During the audit, Fujifilm demonstrated how it is measuring and monitoring a wide range of key performance indicators, including:
- Waste in each department is properly and responsibly disposed of in the correct bins.
- Hazardous waste containers are sealed, once full, and removed by the onsite waste management team.
- Balers are used for plastic polythene and cardboard.
- The canteen has separate bins for metal cans, coffee cups, food and general waste.
- Food waste is composted.
- There are mixed recycling bins in place across the site.
Fujifilm records its waste data via an online system to measure and improve its practices.
Paul Dannahy, goods team leader at the site, played a crucial role in identifying waste processing companies, allowing Fujifilm to move waste from incineration to recycling centres and, in other areas, generate value from the waste. For example, pallets were broken down into pellets for fuel. The pellets were then sent away from the site, sold, and reused in other applications.
He says, “We are honoured to receive Zero to Landfill certification from Valpak. It’s a testament to our team’s dedication to reducing our environmental impact and promoting a circular economy.”
In addition to sending zero waste to landfills, Fujifilm achieved a recycling rate of 53.64 per cent. The facility both increased the amount of waste being recycled and reduced the overall waste being produced.
Craig Milsted, sustainability advisor at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems, Broadstairs, adds, “We are confident that we can continue to make iterative improvements all over the site, across all areas of energy, waste and water reductions, to maintain our position as an award-winning, world-class and sustainable factory.”
