Forty years ago, JELD-WEN windows and doors developed an exclusive process that used wood waste to produce wood fiber mouldings for interior doors. Drawing on its extensive experience as a leader in environmentally friendly practices and products, JELD-WEN continues its efforts to develop and implement green initiatives.
Minimizing waste
In early 2009, window and door manufacturer JELD-WEN took steps to manage its waste materials more effectively. The company’s Saint-Apollinaire plant set up an Environmental Management Committee to analyze opportunities and reduce manufacturing waste at the source. The company joined the “HERE We Recycle” program created by Recyc-Québec, a Quebec agency that promotes responsible waste management. Membership in the program came with a 60% waste reduction target. In less than a year, the Saint-Apollinaire plant had achieved its 60% objective, even as sales increased, for a total reduction of 70 tonnes of waste.
Various measures were implemented to reach this ambitious goal, including: Employee awareness training through a in-house newsletter and employee meetings:
- Return of container board packaging to suppliers for reuse
- Processing of seconds
- Recovery of polythene packaging
- Reuse of seconds (glass, doors, etc.)
- Reduction in paper reports
- Introduction of generalized recycling throughout the plant
- And more
JELD-WEN’s Saint-Apollinaire plant is now working to reach the highest level of Recyc-Québec”s “HERE We Recycle” program. At this level, the plant is required to recycle, recover, and convert over 80% of the waste materials generated in the production of its doors and windows. The Environmental Management Committee has put in place a system to track all waste generated and monitor target compliance on a monthly basis.
Optimizing materials use
Optimizing the use of materials is a core component of waste management. Thanks to an optimization system, strict consumption monitoring, and reprocessing of raw materials, the Saint-Apollinaire plant is able to make even more effective use of its materials.
Promoting environmental management
JELD-WEN promotes environmental management through quarterly meetings with employees and an e-newsletter on company initiatives. What’s more, the JELD-WEN environmental policy provides a blueprint for setting new priorities in environmental management. Here are the main areas covered by the policy:
- Premises in harmony with the environment
- Lumber and other natural resources
- Waste management and recycling
- Durability, longevity, and choice of materials
- Energy use
- Product performance
- Airborne and waterborne emissions
- Indoor air quality
- Membership in environment-related professional associations
- Training
Jérôme Samson
Industrial Engineer
JELD-WEN
