As a global provider of hand protection and PPE, we are committed to continually identifying
opportunities to minimize our environmental footprint to support a more sustainable, safer
future. We are focused on leading the way along with our industrial distributors and retailer
partners by offering products and solutions that minimize our impact while maximizing protection
against occupational hazards. This extends to multiple aspects of our business including
Manufacturing Processes, Sustainability-Driven Programs, Recycled Products, Social
Sustainability and Future Initiatives.
PIP® has a heightened focus on developing products in a
sustainable way while remaining compliant with globally recognized industry
standards. The following are a few examples of how PIP® excels at
reusing and recycling byproducts of the manufacturing process.
Sprue leftover plastic resulting from the molding process of our EZ-Twist™ ear
plugs is reused in a 20% mix ratio when molding new plastic stems.
PIP® collaborates with companies who transform excess Aramid
yarns that are used when making Kut Gard® and Claw
Cover®gloves and sleeves into materials that can be repurposed
for additional use. Aramid fibers are an excellent alternative to asbestos as
the reinforcement component in automobile brake pads.
We work with metal processors to recycle the highly coveted high-grade stainless
steel scrap that emanates from the manufacturing of metal mesh gloves.
Sustainability-Driven Programs
Recycling
Each PIP® facility ranging from manufacturing plants to
warehouses and offices is engaged in a variety of initiatives to reinforce our
commitment to operating in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner.
PIP® also is among the first to introduce a true PPE recycling program for
customers who want to go the extra mile in ensuring that consumed safety
products are recycled instead of filling up landfills or ending up on our
streets. By teaming customers up with onsite waste recuperators who collect,
sort then repurpose used PPE into new products, we've developed a turn-key
approach to PPE recuperation. Learn more about the PIP® 3R™ Sustainability Program here.
Packaging
All facilities have active recycling programs for high-volume packaging
materials such as cardboard, paper and plastic wrap. Ongoing efforts are also
underway to replace plastic film bags with biodegradable films that are more
easily broken down to address the challenges related to the increased need for
hygienic individual packaging in today’s post pandemic reality.
Repurposing
Our North American manufacturing facilities recycle unused materials and
repurpose them for use in other PPE components. With HDPE plastic, we regrind
the excess to produce ear muff caps, bump cap inserts and headgear brackets.
PIP’s manufacturing teams are on a continual mission to
identify new ways to repurpose safe, viable byproduct that results from standard
operating procedures in an effort to minimize waste.
Reallocating
Across PIP’s facilities, miscellaneous scrap metal, refundable bottles and cans
are collected so the proceeds can be applied toward employee team building
activities including community fundraising runs, summer outings and
participation at philanthropic events.
Paperless Office Policy
PIP® adopted a paperless office policy nearly a decade ago. This has led to a
reduction in the amount of paper used in order treatment, invoicing and payment
by more than 80% thanks to an investment in software that links to customers’
systems for a paperless interchange. All PIP® invoices are electronic and 90% of
checks received or paid are electronic. Today, even our recycling bins are
nearly empty due to the successful implementation efforts of this policy.
An extension of this policy is the decreased reliance on photocopiers and office
printers which has seen a nearly 70% decline over the last two years. Investment
in office systems and documentation software has also netted higher efficiencies
and a reduction of office waste by nearly 40% and toner ink by nearly 70%. The
company's headquarters has also experienced a nearly 40% decrease in the receipt
of physical mail due to our paperless efforts.
Logistics
Our logistics teams have worked diligently with both PIP's Customer Service team
and our customers to reduce multiple releases on single orders. They also are
hyper-focused on optimizing available space on shipping containers to prevent
having even a square inch of space left unused. These economic-related
initiatives can significantly contribute to reducing the company's carbon
footprint.
Flexible Work Schedules
In response primarily to the pandemic, PIP® made significant investments to
upgrade employees' computer hardware to allow for greater portability,
functionality and flexibility so that work-from-home is possible when just two
years prior, it was nearly impossible. The use of carpooling and public
transportation is also strongly encouraged for days spent in the office.
In-Person Events and Meetings
In the face of the pandemic, we’ve reduced our participation in large-scale
tradeshows due to new realities, further reducing the carbon footprint
associated with heavy truck hauling of display equipment, products and overall
resources associated with in-person events.
Our Sales team has also adapted to changing expectations related to face-to-face
customer meetings, embracing video conferences and demos with multiple
stakeholders. This adaptation has resulted in a reduction of carbon emissions
due to decreased travel as well as printed materials – which has reduced our use
of paper materials by nearly 80%.
Recycled into New Products
PIP® is proud to work with longstanding partners – which include
raw material suppliers and factories – that help us develop products that
maximize recyclability and reduce our carbon footprint. We work with advanced
factories that make use of closed-loop systems and on-site water treatment to
help ensure eco-compliance and good manufacturing practices.
More and more gloves and hi-vis garments are using recycled polyester fibers. By
working with progressive fiber manufacturers, such as DSM
Dyneema®, we’ve introduced cut resistant gloves using yarns from
the world’s first bio-based HMPE fiber technology.
PIP® also pioneered the use of recycled P.E.T. water bottles –
shredded and extruded to make fibers and yarns for our G-tek®
ECOSeries™ gloves – then stepped up the use of these recycled yarns with some of
the newest gloves containing up to 70% of recycled content.
Click here to watch the
video
PIP’s recent acquisition of Uniform Technology, which specializes in launderable
protective garments used in cleanroom manufacturing plants, laboratories and
paint rooms, markets their products as high-performing sustainable solutions
with an up to 10-to-1 use ratio when compared to single-use or disposable
spun-bonded polyester.
Social Sustainability
PIP® has always believed in giving back to its community. This includes
supporting a variety of philanthropic causes including the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, organizations with a mission of combating cancer as well as
annual participation in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program which provides
new clothing and toys to more than one million children and families in need
each year.
In addition to strongly believing in giving back to its community, PIP® also is
passionate about giving back to its employees and supporting their overall
wellness. This includes covering employee registration fees for local charitable
races whose proceeds go to underwriting a variety of initiatives including
college scholarships, grants and programs that encourage grade school children
to run for exercise and fun. Onsite flu vaccination clinics are also held
annually to promote overall employee health and wellness.
FUTURE INITIATIVES
PIP® will continue to strive to utilize resources and make investments in ways
that further our commitment to sustainability. While our work will never be done with this
ongoing initiative, a selection of future plans that are in place relate to:
Implementing a new program related to converting all overhead lights used throughout our
facilities to LEDs with a target completion within the next year. This includes exterior
parking lot lights as well as outside building lights. Another element of this program
is incorporating programable timers to automatically turn the lights off or on at dusk
or dawn to reduce energy consumption.
Our new state-of-the-art warehouse in Olive Branch, MS is a LEEDS building that’s built
to operate with the latest in sustainable materials and energy processes.
Focusing efforts on converting some of the world’s largest food processing plants to our
proprietary extended-use disposable gloves, which to date has been shown to eliminate up
to 30% of waste when compared to single-use disposable gloves.
Developing products that are a more sustainable, environmentally friendly solution to
traditional approaches – such as reusable work gloves with enhanced barrier protection
to replace the use of disposable gloves in industrial settings – that help reduce
unrecyclable waste.
Social Sustainability
PIP® has always believed in giving back to its community. This includes supporting a variety of philanthropic causes including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, organizations with a mission of combating cancer as well as annual participation in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program which provides new clothing and toys to more than one million children and families in need each year.
In addition to strongly believing in giving back to its community, PIP® also is passionate about giving back to its employees and supporting their overall wellness. This includes covering employee registration fees for local charitable races whose proceeds go to underwriting a variety of initiatives including college scholarships, grants and programs that encourage grade school children to run for exercise and fun. Onsite flu vaccination clinics are also held annually to promote overall employee health and wellness.