Since the 1960’s, PDC International has supplied manufacturers in every industry with shrink-sleeve labeling and tamper evident banding technology for their products - from expertly shrink-sleeved food and beverage labels to child-proof tamper evident neck bands on pharmaceuticals. In recent years, the packaging industry has gone from red-hot to green - with suppliers and packaging plants alike seeking out ways to incorporate eco-friendly sustainability practices.

In its own quest to go green, PDC emphasizes the importance of ensuring an environmentally friendly footprint by maintaining a healthy work environment, sanitary production methods, and recycling materials whenever possible. Read on to discover 10 eco-friendly practices you can implement in your packaging plant.

10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Plant 

1. Design in natural light and operable windows

When you design or renovate a space, design in windows and skylights to reduce the need for lighting during daylight hours. Operable windows allow in fresh air, reducing the need for air conditioning. Plus, natural light and fresh air mean a happier and more comfortable workforce.

Solar panels help reduce the use of fossil fuels and can help save money on your plant’s electricity bill.

This is a given, but one of the easiest ways to conserve energy is to turn off lights inside and use natural light when possible. Installing motion sensors and timers will help to activate lights as needed. Remember to replace or upgrade lights as well – often subsidies are available from your local power company.

Air filters cut down on pollen and dust in the work environment. Clean filters increase air-flow, making heating and cooling more efficient. Keep in mind that it is crucial to change air filters regularly to maintain efficiency.

Programmable thermostats save money and conserve energy by reducing heat and air conditioning when spaces are unoccupied.

 6. Monitor refrigeration

Monitoring refrigeration means making sure you are not using maximum power when it is unnecessary. To increase efficiency, vacuum the dirt and debris from coils as well.

Whether it is paper, plastic, glass or metals, be diligent about implementing a recycling program with your local authorities. Reducing trash quantities will reduce you monthly costs. Metals sorted by type can be sold as scrap.

And if you use a steam boiler in your processes:

8. Insulate steam pipes and Install steam traps

Replacing the old insulation of steam pipes can help conserve energy while minimizing heat loss. Installing steam traps conserves steam, thus saving energy. It’s imperative to make sure steam traps are monitored and cleaned regularly.

Installing a hot water heater can prevent cold water from entering the boiler. Doing this improves boiler efficiency and reduces boiler recovery time.

Reusing condensate can save up to 20 % on your fuel bill!

By practicing sustainability, you can help preserve the environment and save money with the easy-to-implement initiatives described above. By choosing eco-friendly measures, manufacturers and packaging suppliers can assure eco-conscious consumers that their support of green practices at all levels of the supply chain is understood and appreciated. Concentrating on sustainability, without decreasing the quality of goods, will help ensure that future generations will live in a cleaner and greener environment.

If you are looking for shrink sleeve labeling or tamper evident banding for your product, PDC’s technology can deliver the results you’re looking for. Reach out to us at sales@pdc-corp.com or call (203) 853-1516 to see how we can help. We look forward to it!