Sustainability & Safety
Minimizing the impact we have on the environment
Electronics Solutions Sustainability & Safety
Statement from Nordson ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS Vice President Jonathia Ang-Mueller:
“It is my goal to have the Nordson ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS organization perform as a responsible corporate citizen. We will strive to improve the way people live – this comes in many ways: the health and well-being of our employees, preserving the quality of life in the communities in which we operate and those of our customers and applying sustainable business practices and corporate governance. Wherever possible, we define standards for our employees and business partners to achieve continuous improvement in all aspects of our corporate and community responsibilities. Our updated “Journey to Zero” initiative further elevates our ongoing commitment to Environmental, Health, Safety, Security, and overall Sustainability concerns.”
Introducing Journey to Zero
Journey to Zero is an initiative that focuses on respect for people and communities by improving environmental, health, and safety management at Nordson. With a roadmap of key strategies, processes, and tools, we drive the importance of workplace safety, environmental compliance, product compliance, and sustainability at all facilities. Our vision is ZERO adverse impacts to our employees and ZERO adverse environmental effects on our community.
1. Developing products that enable customers to do more with less:
- Introducing new generations of equipment that achieve higher throughput and yield
- Increasing precision so customers can use less material in their processes
- Delivering easy-to-clean equipment to reduce the use of cleaning solvents
- Providing equipment solutions with fewer parts, low energy use, and longer component life
- Meeting RoHS and WEEE requirements
2. Conducting eco-friendly operations without compromising quality or customer service:
- Co-locating our sister companies in the Carlsbad, California facility to streamline resources
- Moving towards an increasingly paperless office environment by eliminating hard copy printouts, emailing instead of faxing, and encouraging double-sided printing
- Using recyclable and biodegradable materials and reducing and reusing packaging material
- Implementing LEAN processes to eliminate waste
3. Conserving natural resources by:
Reducing Power Usage
- Turning off computers, monitors, lights, and other electrical products when not in use
- Using programmable thermostats to regulate climate during off-hours
- Using Energy Star devices
- Using LED exit signs
- Replacing HVAC and lights with more efficient alternatives
- Using on-demand power for air compressors
Using Water Resources Wisely
- Using recycled water for outdoor and landscape watering
- Using water-efficient plumbing in our facilities
- Receiving recognition from local authorities for clean wastewater practices
4. Encouraging employees to choose alternative forms of transport to work:
- Vanpool or carpool
- Telecommuting
- Bicycling or walking
- Using public transportation
5. Reducing our use of non-recyclable products and managing our waste with a conscientious global perspective:
- Storing parts in reusable crates (such as Kanban)
- Using dissolvable packing material that meets International Standards
- Properly disposing of hazardous waste
- Recycling used alcohol and acetone
- Disposing of adhesives, oils, and other chemicals in an environmentally responsible manner
- Recycling chemically contaminated wipes
- Purchasing refurbished toner cartridges
Participating in recycling programs for:
- Paper and cardboard
- Electronic waste (i.e., PCBs, wires, computers, monitors, and electronic components)
- Metal (i.e., steel, aluminum, copper, and milling scrap)
- Food and beverage containers (i.e., bottles, cans)
6. Advocating community involvement that encourages a positive environmental impact. We do this through:
- Time 'n Talent committees that reach out to the local community
- Planning ongoing projects to support the local community
7. Meeting or exceeding applicable international, federal, state, and local environmental regulations:
- Monitoring for clean air
- Following recycling programs for chemicals, metals, electronics, and paper
- Complying with stormwater run-off regulations
- Using reclaimed water for outdoor irrigation
- Using best business practices to prevent wastewater contamination
- Assisting our customers to improve how chemicals are used in the construction of their products while following best engineering practices
- Using environmentally friendly packing and shipping materials
- Complying with RoHS and WEEE regulations
How We Manage the Journey to Zero Initiative
As part of the Journey to Zero initiative, each of our factory sites must meet the following criteria:
- An Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) communication board is visible and active
- EHS commitment criteria are developed, endorsed, communicated, and posted
- EHS Committee meetings include an agenda, minutes, actions, and follow-up
- EHS performance metrics are posted and communicated
- Factory incident and injury summaries are communicated and posted to all employees
- A Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy is posted and enforced
- Factory egress and aisleways are clearly marked and unobstructed
- Safety areas (such as Fire Extinguishers) are clearly marked and unobstructed
- Establish a clear, documented process to report unsafe conditions and behaviors (such as Audits)
How We Measure Journey to Zero Performance
Management reviews Journey to Zero metrics monthly to ensure improvement initiatives translate into performance outputs. Key metrics include:
- Recordable Injuries (TRIR)
- Lost Time Incidents (DART)
- Workers Compensation Claims
- EHS Roadmap Rating
- EHS Audit Findings
- EHS Training Compliance
In summary, Journey to Zero is an initiative that focuses on respect for people and communities by improving environmental, health, and safety management at Nordson. With a roadmap of key strategies, processes, and tools, we drive the importance of workplace safety, environmental compliance, product compliance, and sustainability at all facilities.
Our vision is ZERO adverse impacts to our employees and ZERO adverse environmental effects on our community.