Cleanlink News May 8 2007
Plastic Bag Association Awards Inteplast GROUP Plant
The Lolita, Texas plant of plastic manufacturer Inteplast Group has been awarded an "excellent" rating by the Environmentally Preferred Rating (EPR) program of the California Film Extruders and Converters Association (CFECA), announced Pete Grande, CFECA president. Inteplast Group, the single largest integrated plastic manufacturer in North America, is one of the first companies in the industry to achieve such accreditation, certifying that it maintains environmentally sensitive production facilities.
CFECA (www.cfeca.org) is a trade association of manufacturers and suppliers involved in the plastic film extruding and converting industry in California. The EPR program is the first environmental standards, audit and accreditation program for the plastics industry. Plastic makers that meet strict environmental standards can now receive a "seal of approval" certifying that they maintain environmentally sensitive production facilities.
"We are very pleased with the EPR accreditation, which serves as an endorsement of our continuous efforts in achieving 'green' manufacturing," said Ronnie Chang, director of the Jan/San Unit at IBS Division, Inteplast Group. "As a manufacturer of plastic products, our company has been innovative in producing products that are suitable for three Rs - source Reduction, Reuse, and Recycle. We recognize the need to continue developing environmentally friendly packaging materials in order to meet the expectation and requirements of society and our customers."
The primary goal of the EPR program is to assist producers of plastic film and bags lessen their impact on the environment by reducing any industry contribution to air and waterway pollution as well as landfill content. The program involves a thorough, independent, third-party environmental audit of a company's plastic facilities. It focuses on six main areas that have the most potential impact to the environment: airborne emissions, liquid emissions, pellet containment, elimination of heavy metals, recycling programs and post-consumer recycled material use.
As part of the program, consumers of plastic products are encouraged to buy only from EPR accredited producers.
In addition, plastic companies seeking EPR accreditation are required to participate in environmental activities in their communities such as highway or waterway clean-up efforts or school education programs. Inteplast Group assists and contributes to schools, hospitals, churches, and other support services in local communities for clean-up projects.