Farnell Packaging, Ltd
Case Summary
Farnell Packaging manufactures blown film polyethylene packaging, bags
and sheets from its facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Its products are
sold all over North America.
The company integrates eco-efficiency in all aspects of its operations. Any
waste from its production of low density polyethylene is gathered up and
returned to production. Farnell also participates in a by product exchange
by which some of the waste plastic is transferred to a local plastic lumber
manufacturer.
New product development is an ongoing interest at Farnell. Recently, the
company added a biodegradable bag to its product selection. These meet
the standards set for biodegradable plastics and carry the "Compostible"
logo, granted by the Biodegradable Products Institute. The bag is designed
to be fully biodegradable in 180 days.
Over the last five years the company has experienced a 20% growth and
has at the same time reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by 20%.
This has been possible because of the company's efforts to recycle
everything it can in-house, from corrugated cardboard and office paper to
mops and ink pails. Farnell's also benefits from the energy savings that
were achieved in response to a complete energy audit in 2000, after which
the premises were upgraded with more efficient lighting and machinery.
Benefits
Business -- Lower energy costs, new markets, new products, less waste
disposal costs
Environment -- Less dumping of waste, less pollution, lower impact from
production and after use dumping of plastics
Customer -- New products, more choice
Community -- Less pollution, community economic benefits
Source Eco-Efficiency Centre, Dalhousie University <www.dal.ca/ecoburnside>