ISO 14001 is an international environmental standard which specifies a process for controlling and improving an organisation's environmental performance. To achieve certification, Raytec evaluated all aspects of the company that impacted on the environment, produced objectives for improvement and implemented a management programme to achieve them. Raytec’s objectives are to reduce electricity consumption by 10%, reduce non-recyclable packaging by 10%, reduce non-recyclable waste by 10% and become carbon neutral by the end of 2012.

As a key part of a ‘Green’ strategy Raytec have implemented a full internal and external retro-fit lighting upgrade at their manufacturing facility to significantly reduce electrical consumption. Raytec’s Urban car park lighting and Urban Bay factory lighting replaces old, energy hungry lighting technology, to save 50% of the energy previously used and 8 tonnes of CO2 annually. In addition, Raytec has implemented a ‘switch off when not in use’ programme, for all office lighting, PC monitors and other equipment in and around the building – not to mention environmentally friendly toilet flushes which save 26,000 litres of water annually.

Other ‘Green’ practises include recyclable packaging. Raytec’s new Vario lighting is the first range to be part of the ‘green touch programme’. In addition to Vario’s advanced energy saving technology features, Vario is provided with fully recyclable packaging which Raytec are looking to implement across their entire product range.

Furthermore, many of Raytec’s key suppliers are employed locally. To avoid generating surplus waste with the use of non-recyclable packaging, Raytec have devised a rotate and re-use packaging system with these local suppliers. Heavy duty plastic containers are used to deliver and store product components and are then returned to the supplier on the next delivery – with no additional travel. Raytec have also improved their waste management programme, with more thorough segregation of recyclable and general waste. Raytec also pledge to offset the carbon they do generate, so that they become entirely carbon neutral by the end of 2012.

“ISO 14001 allows us to maintain profitability whilst reducing our environmental impact”, comments Production Supervisor and Environmental Officer, John Pattison – director of Raytec’s ISO14001 management programme, “With regular reviews and criteria for re-certification every 3 years, we strive for the continuous improvement of our environmental systems in all areas of the business.”