Protecting the environment as well as employees is important at DJO. This is very much regarded as a ‘win-win’ situation since the reduction in employee injuries and the reduction of manufacturing waste, scrap and pollution are also effective in controlling expenses.
Recycling of packaging and scrap materials including cardboard, paper, plastic, aluminum and steel is an everyday activity at DJO’s manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. Reducing the volume of wastes that go to landfills and the proper management of any hazardous materials are commitments of the Company. In the first half of 2008, the Company’s manufacturing facility in Mexico recycled approximately 55.6 tons of aluminum, 16.9 tons of steel, 9.9 tons of stainless steel, 396 pounds of copper, 2.9 tons of other metals, 24.7 tons of plastic, 146 tons of fabric, 4.6 tons of brown paper and 209 tons of cardboard. Since 2001, DJO has utilized balers and compacting equipment to achieve landfill source reduction (5:1 compacting of trash) and baling of corrugated material for recycling.
Additionally, the Company’s headquarters in Vista, California has undertaken a recycling and conservation program. This program is aimed at reducing the overall consumption of paper and plastic products used internally, while recycling office paper, glass, aluminum and printer and toner cartridges. In addition to these commitments, DJO is looking for other ways to “go green”. In June of 2007, the Company switched its white office paper to 30% post-consumer recycled paper that carries the certification of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). This change alone will have a positive impact on the environment. In 2007, DJO’s Vista headquarters reduced its consumption of white paper by 20% compared to 2006. Through the first half of 2008, DJO has reduced its consumption of white paper by over 8% compared to the first half of 2007, while the number of employees has grown by almost 25%.
Other green initiatives at DJO’ corporate headquarters include the following:
- Use of environmentally friendly cleaning products by DJO staff and cleaning crews;
- Discontinued use of Styrofoam coffee cups for employees. The Company encourages re-useable coffee mugs, but now only stocks recycled paper coffee cups;
- Implementation of automated lighting and air conditioning controls;
- Undertook a cardboard recycling program; and,
- Initiated a program to purchase 20% of its electricity for its corporate headquarters from green sources, earning it a Green Power Partnership award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Over time, the Company intends to expand its green efforts to its other subsidiaries.
Last Updated: 12/15/2008
|
