Brother Industries (Slovakia)

Brother Industries (Slovakia) s.r.o. (BISK), based in Krupina, operates a large-scale manufacturing site producing printing and imaging products for global markets. With sustainability central to its operations, BISK sought to further reduce its environmental footprint by minimising waste sent to landfill.

Achieving the Zero Avoidable Waste to Landfill (ZAWTL) Certification required not only robust systems for reuse, recycling, and recovery, but also clear evidence of continuous improvement in waste management processes. BISK needed expert support to validate its performance, identify opportunities, and ensure that unavoidable residual waste remained as low as possible.

On 5 September 2024, Valpak conducted a comprehensive audit of BISK’s waste management operations, covering waste produced between June 2023 and May 2024. The audit examined documentation, validated waste streams, and included on-site observation of waste handling and segregation practices.

Valpak’s waste and resource traceability expertise enabled BISK to demonstrate the strength of its systems, from source segregation to innovative remanufacturing techniques. By partnering with us, BISK streamlined its processes, ensuring compliance while embedding best practice across the business.

BISK’s ZAWTL Certification is bolstered by their innovative practices to minimise waste:

• Resource reuse: BISK’s remanufacturing of toner cartridges greatly reduces environmental impact, achieving a 31% carbon savings per cartridge compared to producing new ones.
• Certifications: In addition to multiple ISO Certifications, BISK were the first company in the world to achieve the Blue Angel certification for their TN3512 RE recycled toner cartridge, a milestone they achieved after two years of focused effort.
• Sustainable energy: BISK’s on-site solar panels and ground source heating now provide 50% of their heating and 22% of electricity needs, while their policy of purchasing only renewable electricity ensures they operate entirely on green energy.

Valpak is delighted to support BISK’s ongoing sustainability journey and celebrate their achievements in waste management.