Environmental Impact
We operate as an environmentally responsible model manufacturer
We believe in operating as an environmentally responsible model manufacturer for our community and industry. Spectrum has received the GSA Evergreen Award for our commitment to the pursuit of environmental sustainability through proactive waste prevention, material recovery and recycling, environmentally conscious product design, and procurement. In 2010, Spectrum achieved the prestigious Indoor Advantage certification from SCS, which certifies compliance with rigorous indoor air quality emissions. Aside from qualifying for LEED projects, Spectrum provides a safer and healthier work environment for students, workers and end users.
Spectrum is positively impacting waste prevention efforts by implementing several company-wide recycling initiatives, including recovering post-manufacturing materials and sourcing recycled and recyclable raw materials. Additionally, Spectrum promotes environmentally conscious practices in all corporate activities.
• Through the implementation of powder-coating technology as a replacement for solvent-based finishes, the combined air emissions of volatile organic compounds, VOCs, have been reduced by 90% since 1998.
• The use of powder-coating finishes has reduced the combined volume of cleanup solvent and hazardous waste by 50% since 1998. Much of the non-hazardous powder-coating residue is reclaimed and reused.
• The 1998 implementation of the powder-coating line has allowed us to eliminate the accumulation of a recyclable hazardous waste wash solvent that had averaged 7400 lbs. per year.
• In 2007, Spectrum introduced a new, self-contained cleaning preparation wash line. The previous wastewater phosphorus discharge that had averaged 1,500 lbs. per year was eliminated.
• By changing a finishing material to a thinner product that is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hazardous Air Pollution Standard (HAPS) compliant, resulted in a 35% reduction per gallon of VOCs.
• A change to HAPS-compliant varnish topcoat solutions has resulted in a 10% reduction per gallon of VOCs.
• Post manufacturing hardwood trimmings, particleboard, agriculture board, and corrugation waste material are ground into a reusable fiber material. This material is used in the agriculture industry as animal bedding. Spectrum’s primary recipient of the reusable fiber material, Five Star Dairy in Elk Mound, WI, feeds the composted material through a digester system, which creates biogas energy. The anaerobic digesters provide Dairyland Power Cooperative with a competitively priced renewable energy source in their service territory. The biogas reduces the cooperative’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels while providing support to its distribution network.
Throughout our raw material specification and procurement process, Spectrum identifies materials and suppliers that allow the company to manufacture new and existing products from recycled or recyclable material. Examples of the items being purchased and designed through this program include:
By incorporating equipment changes, procedure improvements and raw material alternatives, Spectrum is being a responsible steward of this planet. Our commitment to environmental protection drives operations to continually strive for greater efficiency with minimal environmental impact.
In 2005, Spectrum acquired a new manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters. Included in the purchase was a three-acre wetland. All future expansion, re-modeling, and manufacturing will be done without impacting this wetland.
Spectrum installed a new environmentally conscious paint line and wash system in 2007. Because it operates at room temperature, we don’t need to heat the wash solution, which saves considerable energy. During the wash cycle, excess cleaning solution is captured, filtered, and recycled. Excess water isn’t wasted in the process. The cleaning solution contains no CFCs, HAPs, HHCs, aromatics, chrome, or ozone depleting substances.
The corporate use of electricity and natural gas during system-wide peak times has been reduced by 43% through a cooperative energy conservation agreement in 2007. Through the assistance and energy credits of a local municipality, existing lighting in the new facility was replaced in many areas with a high output reflectorized system. During recent building additions and construction projects, Spectrum installed energy efficient heating units.
Spectrum is committed to positively impacting the environment and aligning with suppliers who do not harm the environment. We will continue to pursue improvements through proactive waste prevention, material recovery and recycling. We’ll remain focused on conscious product design and procurement. Environmental sustainability is a perpetual initiative that will benefit our community, industry and environment.
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