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Northwest Cosmetic Labs Press Release
Northwest Cosmetic Labs Continues to Go Green
Idaho Falls, Idaho – October 11, 2013
This summer marked three years since Northwest Cosmetic Labs has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Green Power Partner. Since 2010, NCL has extended that partnership and continues to go green by cutting down on waste through the use of energy efficient lighting, a customizing box machine and by recycling.
By 2011, NCL became the first personal care and cosmetic product contract manufacturer to be recognized on the EPA’s list of 100% Green Power Partners. The EPA recognizes companies that use wind and solar energy in order to reduce the risk of climate change. NCL was awarded this status for purchasing renewable energy credits in effort to reduce indirect emissions. The same year, 92 percent of Idaho’s net electricity generation came from renewable energy resources, this being ranked one of the highest in the nation.
At NCL, energy efficient lighting is found in all warehouses and on the production floors. The lights contain sensors that will cause them to automatically shut off when no movement has been traced for 5 minutes. Just in one year, NCL saves approximately 108,000 kWh of electricity using this lighting, which is equivalent to about $13,000 in electricity bills.
Darin Gard, an engineer at NCL said, “Using energy efficient lighting is just smart. You only pay for what you use. No money or energy is wasted.”
Large amounts of waste from boxes and packaging have been avoided by using the customizing box machine. This machine makes custom sized boxes that do not require void fill and can reuse scraps and old boxes. There is no need for Styrofoam or other indecomposable void fill that is harmful to the environment and is a hassle for customers.
The box machine not only saves the environment, but also greatly benefits our customers. They have seen a 30 percent increase in the density of the packages and shipping costs have decreased 25 percent per unit on outbound freight. Depending on proximity, customers can save large amounts on shipping costs.
Lee Foster, the Shipping Supervisor remarked on NCL’s efforts to go green, “It’s a good idea for any company. We only have so many resources and when we use them wisely, they last longer.”
The fact that NCL uses only one trash dumpster demonstrates the goal to cut down on waste. With the assistance of a compactor, only one trip to the landfill is necessary every 4-5 weeks. The amount of trips to the landfill has remained the same over the past 4 years. This is a great accomplishment considering the great expansions NCL has made since then.
To encourage recycling, NCL donates all of the revenue from recycling to the employee benefit fund that provides funds for company events and employee awards. In 2012, approximately $12,000 in the fund could be attributed to recycling.
In the past NCL has received other awards for implementing green initiatives including an award from the Switch Program in Idaho Falls for their efforts in electricity conservation.
For more information about NCL’s efforts to go green please call 208.522.6723 or email info@trustncl.com.
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