2014 SPI Benchmarking Survey - pages · 2021. 1. 29. · This sustainability benchmarking survey aims to gather information about what steps those in the ... Recovery/recycling targets

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association 2•

SPI - National Plastics Sustainability Benchmarking Survey

Plastics present a number of product sustainability solutions, from light weighting to reduced carbon emissions in manufacturing and production as compared to some alternative materials. Aside from plastics offering sustainability opportunities from a material selection standpoint, we know many in the plastics industry have taken steps to reduce the overall impact of their operations and increase environmental transparency. This sustainability benchmarking survey aims to gather information about what steps those in the plastics industry are doing to “green” both operations and products. The idea of integrating sustainability into operations may be a new concept to some; others might have sustainability targets set and are actively working towards those. SPI would like to offer programs that support members integrating sustainability into their business. This survey will provide the necessary information for SPI to develop those tools for members. Regardless of where your company is on the spectrum of “green” operations, we hope that you will take the time to participate in this survey. As with all SPI surveys, the information gathered will be maintained as confidential by Veris, the third party administering this survey for us. No company specific information will be shared with SPI or any other organization. All information will be reported in an aggregated form. To answer all of these questions in the survey, employees from different business areas may need to contribute information. The sections found in this survey model the suggested categories from the Global Reporting Initiative, the standard for Corporate Sustainability Reporting. The online survey format allows you to forward the link to others, complete portions of the survey and will save the information as it is input. This survey does not have to be filled out all at once.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the Sections below or about the SPI Benchmarking Survey in general, please contact Russell St.Onge at [email protected] or (703) 654-1480.

2015 SPI Benchmarking Survey3 •

Company Demographics

Which description best describes your company? (Select one)

□ Brand Owner □ Equipment & Machinery Manufacturer □ Material Supplier □ Processor/Converter

Company size: __________ (number of employees)

Does your company do business outside of North America? (Y/N)

If yes, please select the regions of the world in which your company does business: ____ Africa ____ Asia ____ Australia ____ Europe ____ Central America ____ South America

Where is your company headquartered?

____ Africa ____ Asia ____ Australia ____ Europe ____ North America ____ Central America ____ South America

Which end-market(s) is your company involved in? (Check all that apply)

□ Agriculture □ Apparel □ Automotive/Transportation □ Beverage □ Building/Construction □ Computer, Business Equipment □ Electronics, Electrical □ Food Packaging □ Household and Personal Products □ Medical Products and Equipment □ Packaging, Containers □ Sports and Recreational Equipment □ Telecommunications


□ Other__________________

Is your company a publicly traded company? (Y/N)

Is your company a member of other U.S. trade associations or organizational groups doing work in core areas of sustainability? (Y/N)

If yes, please list these affiliations: _________________

If your company has an international presence, is your company affiliated with international associations, or regional associations representing sustainability interests in other parts of the world? (Y/N)

If yes, please list these affiliations: _________________

Some of the responding companies might have operations around the globe. Please specifically think about the operations in North America when answering questions the might be specific to investments and operations at certain plants.


Environmental efforts Does your company have stated environmental goals? (Y/N)

If yes, please rate the motivating factors for developing your environmental goals. (1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest)

Motivating factor Rating (1 lowest – 5 highest) 1 2 3 4 5

Customer demand Environmental goals championed by organizational leadership

Pressure from NGOs and other groups In response to regulatory requirements Adoption to avoid future regulation

Are you reporting sustainability metrics to your customers? (Y/N) Please select all of the categories for which your company has developed stated environmental goals and describe the motivation for adopting these goals:

Stated Goal Y/N Reason for adopting the goal (check all that apply)

Cust

omer

dr

iven

Inte

rnal

ly

driv

en

Regu

lato

ry

driv

en

Fina

ncia

lly

driv

en

Volu

ntar

y ec

olab

el

stan

dard

or

accr

edita

tion

requ

irem

ent

Mar

ketin

g to

ol/d

iffer

enti

ator

Oth

er

Reduce energy usage

Landfill diversion Recovery/recycling targets

Design for recycling or Design for the Environment

Increase recycled material usage

Overall reduced carbon footprint of products and/or operations, or source reduction activities (e.g., raw material, process


or product modifications; spill and leak prevention Green purchasing efforts (recycled content products, energy efficient equipment, etc.)

Making changes to products and packaging to reduce environmental impact

Changing usage of chemicals to lower toxicity profiles (raw material modifications)

Reducing air emissions

Reducing water usage

Other

How would you characterize your company’s success in working toward attaining these stated environmental goals?

□ Very successful, ahead of targets □ Successful and on target □ Moderately successful, making gains but not as quickly as planned □ Not successful, making gains in these areas has been much more challenging than anticipated.

Please explain:

What has been your most successful program or effort in sustainability to date? What are the critical factors that have made it successful?


What have been the most challenging pursuits in sustainability and why?

Where could you use help in achieving goals?

Please share the stated mission statement for sustainability that your company communicates externally:

How often is the plan for achieving environmental goals reviewed?

□ Quarterly □ Bi-annually □ Annually □ Other________________

How do you manage your company’s sustainability program? □ In-house, Sustainability Manager □ In-house, team across multiple job functions □ Contract services □ Other__________________


Materials Does your company currently use recycled plastics? ___ Yes (If yes, skip to table below) ___ No (If no, skip to question below) If yes, please rate the following motivating factors for using recycled content: Motivating factor Rating (1 very low motivator

– 5 is a very high motivator) 1 2 3 4 5

Use recycled content when it is requested by the customer Use of recycled content is driven by internal, stated targets and goals Use recycled content when it is a cost-saving measure Use recycled content so products meet ecolabel criteria, a green standard or a green certification

Use recycled content as part of our reduced carbon foot print strategy Use recycled content as a green marketing scheme Use recycled content as a market differentiator Use recycled content In response to legislation or regulatory requirements

If your company does not currently use recycled plastic, please rate the reasons why. (1= little effect on decision, 5 = strongly influences our decision) Motivating factor Rating (1 = little effect on

decision making, 5 = very strong impact on decision making

1 2 3 4 5 Quality issues Cost Cannot find a supplier Cannot find the volume of material that meets my demand Material is not consistently available Other: _________________________________________ Has your company chosen alternative materials in the manufacturing or production process which are perceived to be “greener” or more sustainable? (Y/N) If yes, please list what alternative materials you are now using: ____________ If yes, please describe specifically what this was in response to? ____________

If yes, please indicate what materials are no longer being used, or are being used in lesser quantities: __________________


If yes, what materials have you evaluated and how did they rate in terms of potential for long-term material replacement for meeting sustainability goals:

Material Potential for long-term successful material replacement Comments

Low Medium High Bio-derived, common resin types (ex. PET, PP)

Bio-derived, new resin types (non-bio degradable)

Bio-derived, new resin types (bio degradable)

Degradable additives

Fillers (such as Calcium carbonate), list specific filler in comments

Non-resin materials, such as paper or metal

Has your company chosen alternative materials in the manufacturing or production process which are perceived to be “less toxic” or reduce risks for human exposure? (Y/N) If yes, please list what alternative materials you are now using: ____________ If yes, please describe specifically what this was in response to? ____________

If yes, please indicate what materials are no longer being used, or are being used in lesser quantities: __________________

Does your company use any type of sustainability comparative tools for materials? (Y/N)

If yes, please describe which tool you use (i.e., Compass tool offered by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition): __________________

Does your company have a definition for what is a sustainable material? (Y/N)

If yes, please provide that definition: _____________________________________


Energy Please share your stated energy conservation goals: ______________________ Has your company made investments or developed programs that reduce the overall energy used operationally? (Y/N)

If yes, please describe the nature of this investment or program: ______ Are you on target to meet energy reduction goals? (Y/N)

If yes, please share the timeframe in which you expect to meet those goals: _____ (in number of years from start of efforts to finish)

Has your company made investments or developed programs in converting to renewable sources of energy? (Y/N)

If yes, please describe the nature of this investment or program: ______ Are you on target to meet renewable energy goals? (Y/N)

If yes, please share the timeframe in which you expect to meet those goals: _____ (in number of years from start of efforts to finish)

FOR EQUIPMENT & MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS ONLY: Has your company developed technologies and equipment that use less energy? (Y/N)

If yes, please describe the type of energy reduction that can be achieved with energy saving products versus previous equipment (ie, 10%, 20%):_____

If yes, have you seen demand for energy efficient equipment increase in recent years? (Y/N)


Water Please share your stated water reduction goals: ______________________ Has your company calculated the water usage in production and manufacturing? (Y/N) Has your company identified opportunities for water reduction in these areas? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: ____________________

Has your company created programs or made investments to reduce water in these identified opportunity areas? (Y/N)

If yes, how would you rate your company’s success in achieving the water reduction goals: ___ Very successful ___ Moderately successful ___ Challenging, but continuing to work toward the goal ___ Very challenging and achieving the goal within the target timeframe does not seem likely Please explain: ___________________


Emissions, Effluents and Waste Does your company have a stated air emissions reduction goal? (Y/N)

If yes, how is that goal defined, and for what pollutants? □ Percentage of total air emissions (i.e., 30% reduction) □ Percentage of air emissions for specific pollutants (e.g., 30% reduction of listed hazardous air pollutants, HAPs) □ Other______________ Please list the pollutants being reduced: __________________________

Does your company have a stated goal for reducing discharges of water pollutants? (Y/N)

If yes, how is that goal defined, and for what pollutants (e.g., which priority or other pollutants)? Stated goal: _______________________ Pollutants targeted for reduction: __________________

If your company has a stated internal recycling, recovery, or waste reduction goal, how is that goal defined?

□ Percentage of total waste generated If yes, list percent reduction target: ____% □ Zero waste □ Other______________

Please describe your specific recycling and recovery metrics?

Does your company participate in a 3rd party tracking and reporting program for solid waste, such as the US EPA WasteWise program? (Y/N) If yes, please list the program that you are participating in: ____________________ If your company has a stated goal for zero waste to landfills, what is the prioritization scheme for waste treatment or disposal methods? Please describe: ____________________ Are there primary challenges your company is experiencing in reaching those recovery/recycling goals? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: ___________________


Products and services Does your company offer an end of life recovery, or take-back plan for your products? (Y/N)

If yes, are those products within your company’s end of life recovery or take-back plan returned to: □ Your company □ Third party □ Other________________________

If yes, do you offer these programs for all products, or for just select product types? □ All products □ Select product types List products: __________________ Does your company provide product LCA information for customers? (Y/N) Does your company offer ingredient disclosure lists or “green disclosures” to customers? (Y/N) Are your products certified by any ecolabels or accreditation programs? (Y/N)

If yes, please list certification programs or standards that your products are registered with: _________________


Compliance (e.g., OSHA and EPA) What are your company’s top three initiatives to improve/maintain environmental compliance?

1.____________________________________________

2.____________________________________________

3.____________________________________________

What are your company’s top three initiatives to improve/maintain occupational safety and health compliance?

1.____________________________________________

2.____________________________________________

3.____________________________________________

Has your company seen an increase or decrease in worker health and safety inspection over the last five years?

Regulatory level Change in frequency of inspection (select one)

Increase Decrease No change Local State Federal

If you have noticed a change, please describe any trends in terms of targeted facility size, geographic location, and inspection type:

Has your company seen an increase or decrease in environmental inspection over the last five years? Regulatory level Change in frequency of inspection (select one)

Increase Decrease No change Local State Federal

If you have noticed a change, please describe any trends in terms of facility size, geographic location, and inspection type:


Worker Safety Do you calculate and report an annual incident rate? (Y/N)

If yes, do you participate in SPI’s Safety Statistics and Awards (SSA) Program? (Y/N) If yes, skip incident rate question below

For further information about the SPI Safety Statistics and Awards Program, contact Katie Masterson at [email protected].

What is your annual incident rate? ____ (Recordable, work-related injuries or illnesses per year)

Does your company have a safety recognition program? (Y/N) If yes, please describe the program: ____________________ Does your company benchmark among your own company facilities? (Y/N/NA) Does your company benchmark against other companies? (Y/N)


Transportation Has your company calculated the overall environmental impact of transportation in your supply chain? (Y/N) Is your company considering options to reduce the environmental impact of transportation in your supply chain? (Y/N)

If yes, please describe any identified opportunity areas to reduce the impact of transportation: ____________

Has your company calculated the overall economic impact of your supply chain compared to alternative transportation options? (Y/N) Is your company considering making changes to transportation to reduce costs? (Y/N) If yes, please describe the types of changes your company is considering: ___________ Does your company participate in any 3rd party partnership programs, such as EPA Smartways? (Y/N) If yes, please identify what programs you participate in: ______________


Social Assessment Points Please rate the emphasis that your company places on workforce satisfaction and development? (1 to 5, one being the lowest and five being highest).

1 2 3 4 5

Diversity Does your company have a diversity initiative? (Y/N)

If no, is your company informally seeking avenues to expand the make-up of the work force in terms of gender and racial diversity? (Y/N)

What percentage of your workforce are women? ___% What percentage of your workforce is made up of minorities? ___% Professional development Does your company offer professional development opportunities for employees? (Y/N) If yes, please check all that apply: Professional Development offered

To all employees To full-time, management

To full-time, hourly employees

To part-time and/or temporary, employees

On-site technical training

On-site business development opportunities (software training, etc.)

Education reimbursement (technical schools, community college, universities)

Training modules that employees can do at their own pace

Access to offsite conferences, trainings and seminars


Encourage employees to participate in industry organizations

Other, please describe: ______

Investment in communities Does your company donate money or resources to community programs or non-profits in your region? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: __________________ Does your company organize volunteer opportunities for employees in the community? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: ___________________ Does your company allow workers to undertake volunteer work as part of their paid time? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: ____________________ Does your facility open for certain events, such as Earth Day or National Manufacturing Day (October 3, 2014)? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: _____________________ Access to qualified workforces When looking to fill entry-level positions at your company, do you feel the pool of candidates generally have the skills you need? (Y/N) If no, what skills do you most often find lacking? _________________ When looking to fill technical jobs (ex, machinists and on-site engineers) at your company, do you feel you have been able to identify candidates with the skill sets that you need? (Y/N) If no, what skills do you most often find lacking? _________________ When looking to fill leadership positions at your company, do you feel you have been able to identify candidates with the skill sets that you need? (Y/N) If no, what skills do you most often find lacking? _________________ Is your company participating in any activities to attract the next generation of workers in your community, such as offering open houses or internships? (Y/N) If yes, please describe these activities: __________________


Economics Increased sales and market presence Does your company invest in sustainable operational improvements or technologies? (Y/N) Do you think your company’s commitment to sustainability has created a competitive market advantage? Please select the statement that best describes your experience in this area: __ Sustainability investments have made my company more competitive. __ Sustainability investments have kept my company from becoming uncompetitive. __ Sustainability investments have had little effect on the position of my company in the marketplace. __ Sustainability investments have hurt the company’s competitive advantage

If sustainability investments have made your company more competitive, please describe how those investments have worked to your advantage: (check all that apply) __ Increased profitability or financial performance (including increased sales) __ Improved company image __ Improved employee retention __ Improved products __ Improved customer satisfaction

Return on investment (ROI) If your company has made investments in sustainable technologies, please quantify that investment: ______ (in US Dollars) Please describe how that investment has been distributed amongst the core environmental areas Impact area % of overall sustainability investments Materials Energy Water Emissions, Effluents, and Waste Products and Services Compliance in meeting standard environmental, health and safety requirements

Beyond Compliance (product stewardship, chemicals risk, etc.)

Transportation Does your company have a different ROI expectation on sustainability initiatives? (Y/N) If yes, please describe how return on investments in sustainability activities might be viewed different than traditional investments: ______________

Please describe an area where you company has achieved the full return on sustainable investment: _____________


Is there a particular area or sustainability activity that your company is struggling to achieve or realize the long-term financial value of? (Y/N) If yes, please describe: ____________


Reporting Does your company produce a publically available corporate sustainability report or corporate social responsibility (CSR) report? (Y/N)

If yes, how often is the publically available corporate sustainability report published? □ Annually □ Biennially □ Other, _____________

Does your company report recycling/recovery rates to local or state agencies? (Y/N)

Please describe your specific reporting metrics on recycling/recovery:

Does your company report on environmental metrics? (Y/N) If yes, through what mechanisms (e.g., internal for employees, CSR, website, etc.): __________ Does your company report on worker health and safety metrics? (Y/N) If yes, through what mechanisms (e.g., internal for employees, CSR, website, etc.): __________ Do you require suppliers to provide information and reports on their sustainability activities? (Y/N) If yes, what type of information do you require? __________________


Operation Clean Sweep Has your company signed on to Operation Clean Sweep? (Y/N) SPI encourages all members to take steps to prevent pellet loss and help keep pellets out of the marine environment. Please visit www.opcleansweep.org to learn more about this voluntary monitoring program. If you would like to become an Operation Clean Sweep partner, please contact Patty Long at [email protected].


Additional Benchmarking Opportunities

Would you be willing to allow someone from SPI to follow up with you to further explore your company’s experience and successes in sustainability?

___ Yes

___ No

Company _______________ Fist Name _______________ Last Name _______________ Email _______________ Phone _______________ Would your company be interested in purchasing a unique sustainability report based on the answers provided in this survey? (Y/N) (Estimated cost is $3,000 and the report would be similar to the final report generated with the aggregated data from this survey)

Documents

2014 SPI Benchmarking Survey - pages · 2021. 1. 29. · This sustainability benchmarking survey aims to gather information about what steps those in the ... Recovery/recycling targets