Celebrating sustainability: Brother Industries (Slovakia) achieves Zero Avoidable Waste to Landfill certification

I am thrilled to announce that Brother Industries (Slovakia) s.r.o (BISK) has achieved our Zero Avoidable Waste to Landfill (ZAWTL) Certification for its manufacturing site in Krupina, Slovakia.

This certification is a testament to BISK’s commitment to sustainable waste management practices and continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Background

The ZAWTL certification tier allows for small amounts of a business’s waste to go to landfill when there is no other option for a particular waste stream. This framework showcases a company’s dedication to best practices in waste management, all while navigating the complex landscape of waste disposal.

The audit^[1]

On 5 September 2024, I conducted a comprehensive audit of BISK’s operations. This thorough review involved examining their waste generation processes, validating waste streams through detailed documentation, and observing on-site waste management practices first hand.

Thanks to robust systems such as source waste segregation and innovative remanufacturing techniques, BISK achieved an impressive, combined reuse and recycling rate of 84.06%. During the audit period BISK had to send 0.12 tonnes of residual waste to landfill due to local circumstances and regulations. This residual waste accounts for 0.02% of BISK’s total waste output.

Commitment to continuous improvement

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.

[1] Based on waste produced between 1 June 2023 & 31 May 2024