Advancements in plastic injection molding technology allow manufacturers greater flexibility and sophistication in part design. At The Rodon Group, we are continually incorporating the newest technologies to remain on the cutting-edge of molding techniques in all sectors. This commitment to growth and innovation has allowed us to continue providing the highest-quality products to our customers.
At The Rodon Group, we're proud of how far we've come in more than 60 years as a company and it's fun to look back and see the growth and change. We wanted to share that with you, so on October 10 we hosted a company video shoot to give you an inside look at our expansive facility, sustainability efforts, experienced employees, and long history.
At The Rodon Group, we are dedicated to maintaining the health and vitality of the environment. We firmly believe that every business holds a societal obligation to implement green manufacturing initiatives aimed towards fostering sustainability and minimizing the impact on the local community and environment.
Earth Day, observed each year on April 22, serves as a celebration of the birth of the modern environmental movement. Started in 1970, Earth Day was sparked by the country’s burgeoning understanding of how contemporary industrial practices were negatively impacting the environment. The celebration was designed to bring awareness to many of the dangers affecting the environment — air pollution, water contamination, habitat destruction, and so on — and to encourage people to take action in protecting their surroundings.
The 47th anniversary of Earth Day is this Saturday, April 22. As the Earth Day organization moves closer to its 50th anniversary in 2020, each year they launch a series of bold themes and initiatives. This year's theme is "Environmental and Climate Literacy. According to the Earth Day website, "Before we can solve the dire environmental threats facing us in the 21st century, we must build a global citizenry knowledgeable in environmental science and fluent in local and global ecological issues." You can learn more about the Earth Day 50 initiatives in the video below and on their website at http://www.earthday.org/earthday/countdown-to-2020/
As green movements gain traction across the globe and consumers increasingly seek out sustainable products, many manufacturers are implementing eco-friendly initiatives throughout their work processes.
At The Rodon Group, we’re committed to nurturing an ethos of environmental sustainability in everything we do. Over the years, we’ve instituted a number of green initiatives, all of which have helped us become one of the most sustainable leaders in the plastic injection molding industry.
These green initiatives have allowed us to streamline our manufacturing process in order to reduce excess packaging, transportation costs and carbon output, waste, water consumption, and energy. Below, we’ve outlined four of our major sustainability efforts.
Sustainability in Manufacturing
In the weeks leading up to the start of the Rio games, the New Zealand sailing team, a strong contender for medals, had been hard at work training for a potentially race-costing scenario: a plastic bag, or other rubbish getting stuck to the boat. Guanabara Bay, where the sailing competitions will take place, is heavily and visibly polluted. Rio state officials have begun cleanup efforts that currently involve a single helicopter directing eleven rubbish collecting boats. However, they’ve also acknowledged that a real cleanup effort could take up to 20 years.
Sustainability in Manufacturing
Walk down the aisles of The Rodon Group warehouse and the lights above activate as you approach. On the manufacturing floor, end-of-arm tooling knows the precise time to release the plastic for regrinding. These practices aren’t magic or new to many factories. What sets our company apart is the commitment to sustainable practices throughout the organization.
Sustainability in Manufacturing
This article written by Brian Lagas at the Manufacturing Extension Partnership originally appeared on the NIST/MEP blog on September 10, 2015.
Embracing sustainable and green principles is not just a trend. Cultivating sustainable and green practices helps organizations become more efficient, competitive and profitable. It’s more than simply “a good thing to do.” Manufacturers are realizing the many practical short-term and long-term financial benefits to implementing environmentally conscious improvements.
The Difference Between Sustainability and “Going Green”
“Going green” is not the same thing as sustainability, albeit they are related. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, green is more frequently associated with a singular product or process. Examples include improving a specific operation so that it does not harm the environment or creating a product made entirely out of recycled materials.
Sustainability is typically more associated with an organization’s holistic approach; it takes the entire production process and logistics into consideration. For example, you may purchase a green product made out of recycled goods. However, if that product was made overseas, and environmentally harmful methods were used to transport that product to the United States, this would not be adhering to sustainable principles.
In the manufacturing world, it is advantageous to focus on both green and sustainability. While targeted improvements can be beneficial to your company, looking at the “bigger picture” maximizes the perks of an environmental focus. Here are five critical ways to embrace sustainability and green to positively impact your organization:
1. Reduce Energy-Related Costs
Energy and water costs are a prime concern for manufacturers. Focusing on improvements can reduce these expenses. Often, these improvements are realized as annual savings as opposed to quicker, short-term cost reductions.
Switching to energy-efficient lighting and adjusting lighting levels in accordance with your production schedule will reduce your long-term electrical costs. Regular equipment inspections will also prove beneficial. For example, air compressor leaks can be a waste of energy and increase expenses. Changing how you package your products and supplies can provide cost reductions and free up space at your facility. Solar and wind energy, along with energy efficient equipment and machinery, will greatly reduce monthly utility bills. Implementing strategies such as recycling and going paperless will also save on supply costs. Sustainability can improve your bottom-line.
