Sustainability
Universal Packaging Inc. is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Okanagan Valley is home to stunning lakes and streams, a semi-arid climate and an incredible variety of plant and animal life. We feel that it is our civic and moral responsibility to co-habitate with our beautiful natural surroundings by promoting sustainability in everything we do. Thus, we work with our suppliers, customers and employees in encouraging behavioural change which will result in a cleaner planet.
Energy Usage
We continually look for ways to minimize our energy usage. We use Natural Gas to power our lehr and renewable Hydro Electricity energy through-out our facility. Since 2006, through the use of increased insulation, revised operating practices and scheduling programs we have reduced our GJ usage/hour by 13%. In 2009 alone, we reduced our GJ consumption by 2,131 GJ's which is an 18% reduction. Whenever we can, we turn our Lehr completely off,resulting in significant energy savings.
Energy Conservation
Over the past 3-years, Universal Packaging Inc. has taken part in B.C. Hydro sponsored energy conservation forums. Currently Universal Packaging Inc is a registered participant with the B.C. Utilities commission focused on the development of rate structures geared to encouraging energy conservation in the province. During the winter months, we use the heat generated by the lehr cooling system to heat our facility.
Recycling
We ship all of our paper, plastic, stretch wrap, glass and cardboard to recycling facilities, thus ensuring that it does not end up going to the land-fill site.
Reduced Card Board Waste
UPI purchased and installed "on-line carton printing equipment" which eliminates the need for cross-packing from a plain white carton into a new printed carton. This results in a significant reduction in card board waste.
Waste Water
The City of Vernon has certified that our waste water meets or exceeds all local environmental standards.
Environmentally Friendly Paints
We only use lead-free ceramic paints and decals. These paints meet all Federal, State and Provincial environmental regulations.
Logistics
We have worked with our suppliers to reconfigure the containers so that additional glass can fit into them. This results in fewer carbon emissions as fewer trucks are needed to transport the goods.
Reduced Fuel Usage
We encourage our employees to walk, ride, take public transportation or car-pool in order to get to work.
Travel Policy
We minimize our business travel wherever possible. We fully utilize energy friendly mediums such as "Skype" in order to cut down on carbon emitting airplane trips. However, when we do business travel, we try and stay in hotels that are "green friendly". As well, employees travelling on business are encouraged to rent Hybrid cars.
Office/Facility Practices
We encourage employees to do the following:
- Not print emails or documents unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Use both sides of photocopied and printed paper, thus reducing our paper usage by 23%
- Our Accounting Department emails/scans invoices to our customers as often as possible.
- We employ direct deposit to our staff in order to reduce the printing of paper checks.
- All lights are turned off in all offices once the employee leaves their office.
- The facility lights are turned off after every shift.
Allan Brooks Nature Centre
Universal Packaging Inc. matches all employee donations to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. The Nature Centre provides visitors a first-hand opportunity to see and learn about the North Okanagan's unique and diverse natural heritage through views, information, programs and displays of the region's natural areas. www.abnc.ca