GreenSmart Initiatives ...
At CCT, Green Means Reusing,
Recycling, and Being Efficient

At CCT, we're taking steps to create sustainable products that protect temperature sensitive goods. These include: lean initiatives, internal recycling programs, energy conservation, reusable solutions, and recyclable products. There's still much more work to be done, but we're moving in the right direction.

In 2005, The Sustainable Packaging Coalition provided an ambitious definition of a sustainable package as one that is:

  • - Is beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle.
  • - Meets market criteria for performance and cost.
  • - Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy.
  • - Maximizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials.
  • - Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices.
  • - Is made from materials healthy in all probable end-of-life scenarios.
  • - Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy.
  • - Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial cradle-to-cradle cycles.

Source: PMPG News, August 2008

KoolTemp EPS Containers
In the broadest sense, EPS is a 100% recyclable lightweight rigid cellular plastic that contains 98% air. It is completely inert. For a detail review of EPS and the environment, please visit our manufacturer partner's website, Foam Fabricators. Click here for Foam Fabricator's recycling brochure. EPS may be brought to designated drop-off locations, recycling centers that accept polystyrene (#6), or sent to mail-back locations.

Koolit Refrigerants
Koolit gel packs contain an environmentally safe water soluble starch. To recycle, simply cut open a thawed gel pak, or puncture a bottle and dispose of its non-toxic liquid content in the normal waste stream. The pouch, sleeve, or bottle may be recycled in centers that accept plastic (low density polyethylene (LDPE), #4).

Lean Initiatives

By implementing Lean core values at CCT, we're optimizing our operation to minimize our energy usage, waste of raw materials, and reject rate among finished goods. We've initiated a company-wide effort to improve efficiencies within our manufacturing and non-manufacturing operations. This effort is particularly evident in our vigilance to minimize the 7 Wastes: rework, motion, overproduction, conveyance, inventory, over processing, and waiting.

Internal Recycling

At CCT we seize every opportunity to improve and reuse all raw materials, where applicable, used in manufacturing. This includes an active program to externally recycle all excess corrugate. In addition, we only use virgin EPS in our products, and we recycle any excess waste back to the manufacturer for their use in other applications.

Energy Conservation

We have installed energy saving lighting including motion sensing systems in our warehouse and shop floor lighting. This helps reduce our carbon footprint. We are also working with suppliers to economize on material usage and minimize excessive transportation.

Reusability

We've developed several products that may be reused, once inspected, including our gel packs, and PUR and GTS line of polyurethane solutions. Modular components of our thermal solutions products allow for reuse after replacement of worn components. We've also introduced reusable plastic trays for transporting refrigerants to customers, which minimizes the use of corrugate.