The Armstrong locations in North America and the UK are changing certain aspects of their facilities and operations to become more environmentally friendly.

As part of the Armstrong green initiative, the company is holding a contest, for its staff and representatives. The objective of the competition is to share and learn from one another about new environmentally friendly solutions and practices. To view these tips or to enter the contest, please click here.

 
 

In the Toronto office and plant, the following changes have been made:

  • Replaced old office furniture (desks and panels) with eco-friendly furniture
  • Replaced old computer monitors with LCD monitors
  • Turning recycled paper into pads of paper (pilot project)
  • Bought carbon credits to partially offset traveling costs
  • In the plant, replaced oil-based paint with water-based paint
  • Switched to low pressure, electrostatic spray guns to eliminate overspray and reduce consumption of paint and volatile organic compounds
  • With the need to heat cold test water in the summer to prevent condensation on tanks, the thermostat has been turned down, saving on heating costs.
  • Installation of high-efficiency reflective lights on the shop floor of the Buffalo and Toronto plants

 

In the UK, the office and plant areas have:

  • Achieved ISO 14001 certification by LRQA – August 2006 and added North West Switchgear in May 2007. Achieved full certificate renewal in February 2008.
  • Increased reuse and recycling waste routes. Waste costs have fallen from 0.18% of turnover spent on waste in 2005, to 0.08% in 2007. This has been due to an increase in recycling (recycling plastics previously accounted for a significant volume of the bins, paper, and metal cladding), and also through generating less waste.
    • The cladding is now ordered to size to reduce wastage
    • Pipe off-cuts are placed in designated areas for reuse
    • We worked with Kingspan to take back its oversized pallets, which significantly reduced our wood recycling costs
    • Off-cuts of our floor insulation are being reused within the local community and other businesses
    • We continue to work with our major waste contractor to find alternative sources for our waste
  • Electricity usage has reduced from 3.43% of turnover in 2005, to 1.56% in 2007.
    • Energy awareness has improved through toolbox talks and displaying Carbon Trust awareness posters throughout the office and plant
    • Lighting in low usage areas of the office has been reduced
    • Using energy saving kettles
    • Thermostats have been reduced by 1 degree Celsius
    • A plastic curtain is being used in the plant to retain heat
    • Energy saving lighting installed in the factory
    • Air leaks from the compressor are monitored
  • Design improvements have reduced waste and the use of excess raw materials. Envirowise conducted a design training session with our project engineers.
    • Steel doors are now used instead of aluminum doors. Steel is easier to recycle at the end of its life point and is also more durable.
    • CAD drawings are now only printed when necessary, reducing paper, ink and energy usage
    • CAD engineers will aim to draw the most efficient routing of pipe work
  • We continue to work with our suppliers to reduce our environmental impacts. For example, we are working with our transportation supplier to utilize their empty return trips.
    • We aim to use local suppliers where possible. This reduces transportation, and stimulates local employment.
    • We have increased our consignment stock to reduce raising purchase orders and transportation of stock deliveries.
    • We worked with Bilson Engineering who are now producing pump support plate and cross brace with a reduced thickness from 6mm to 5mm. The first has also given us a 5% cost saving and reduced their scrap metal production.
    • We have worked closely with our major supplier of fire pump engines, to reduce rework faults. This has dramatically saved time, waste, transport and replacement of raw material parts.
    • We have invested in a Supply Chain and Logistics Manager who is committed to sourcing locally (wherever possible) and reducing the environmental impacts of our purchasing function.
  • The canal area at the rear portion of the building has been improved by laying natural bark. The area is maintained throughout the year and is used as a staff relaxation area. This location also encourages natural flora and fauna.
  • We have increased employee environmental awareness by publishing our environmental KPIs and encourage staff suggestions. We have produced an employee induction presentation which covers our environmental activities and encourages participation.
  • Our KPI system tracks our energy usage and waste costs. This report is reviewed monthly and used to flag excess usage quickly, leading to an immediate investigation.