Our ESG initiatives are integral to our corporate strategy, reflecting our commitment to creating long-term value while positively impacting our stakeholders and the communities we operate in.
At TRIGO USA Auto, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, we are committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Our facility has implemented two key initiatives: the Cardboard Renewer Initiative and the Pallet Recycling Program. These programs are designed to reduce waste, promote recycling, and contribute to a circular economy.
Cardboard Renewer Initiative
The successful implementation of our new recycling machine is designed to process all inbound corrugated material from various programs across our facility.
Trailer loads are brought from Auburn Hills to the mill, where an average of 160 tons of corrugated material is recycled monthly.
To further boost recycling efforts and promote a circular economy, we have established a competitive buy-back rate based on current market evaluations per ton of recycled corrugated material. This initiative not only encourages responsible waste management but also contributes to cost savings and resource conservation.
Anthony Spica, Director of Operational Excellence at TRIGO Americas, explains the genesis of the project:
“When we opened our warehouse in Auburn Hills, Michigan, about three years ago, our suppliers were scheduled to deliver large quantities of parts on pallets. We anticipated the need to individually package these parts for distribution to a network of dealers throughout the country. The challenge arose with the disposal of the pallet and the accompanying large box.”
To address this challenge, Spica and his team sought an eco-friendly solution:
“Instead of discarding them into dumpsters—a practice that would result in hundreds of boxes filling landfills daily, incurring an extra cost—we sought an eco-friendly solution. Cardboard, being a recyclable material, presented an opportunity, so we initiated contact with recycling companies to establish a comprehensive recycling program.”
He further elaborates on the practical steps taken to implement this solution:
“Our investment in a compactor allowed us to efficiently crush the boxes, resulting in compacted blocks of cardboard. These blocks could then be conveniently loaded onto a pallet for shipment, aligning with our sustainability objectives and reducing waste. Additionally, instead of paying for waste disposal, we can now sell the compacted cardboard, turning a cost into a revenue stream".
Pallet Recycling Program
The pallet recycling program is a complementary project aimed at managing the inbound shipment of pallets. By recycling supplier pallets, we prevent these materials from entering landfills, reducing waste, and conserving natural resources. The pallet recycling program contributes to a circular economy by promoting material reuse and reducing the need for new pallet production.
We collaborate with suppliers to ensure efficient pallet management and encourage sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. TRIGO’s pallet recycling initiative fosters partnerships based on environmental responsibility and mutual benefits.
Recycling pallets reduces the need for new pallet production, which involves raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation, leading to lower CO2 emissions.
Anthony Spica describes the challenges and the solutions that were implemented: “We have to use very specific pallets when we ship out, so the inbound pallets and the outbounds aren’t the same, and we can’t reuse them to ship out. We collect the inbound pallets and have another provider who takes the pallets and sells them to a recycling company that deals in used pallets. Without this action, we would have to discard them, resulting in one truckload of pallets per month.”
Benefits of Our Initiatives
The implementation of the Cardboard Renewer compactor machine and the establishment of a buy-back rate, along with the pallet recycling program, have resulted in several key benefits and positive impacts:
- Reduction of waste sent to landfills, leading to environmental conservation and waste diversion.
- Cost-effective recycling solutions, optimizing resource utilization and operational efficiency.
- Promotion of sustainability practices among employees and stakeholders, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
- Contribution to circular economy principles, supporting the recycling industry and driving economic sustainability.
- CO2 savings based on recycling 160 tons of corrugated material monthly. For every ton of corrugated material recycled, we estimate that about 1.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Teq CO2) emissions are saved compared to landfilling. This results in an estimated total savings of 176 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (Teq CO2).
- CO2 savings based on the pallet recycling program. We estimate that for every pallet recycled, about 9 kg of CO2 emissions are saved compared to landfilling. With an average of 24 trailers per year and 450 pallets per trailer at 18 kg CO2 per pallet, the estimated CO2 savings is more than 194.4 tons annually.
- Employee Engagement and Community Impact
Our sustainability initiatives extend beyond operational efficiency and environmental impact. We actively promote sustainability practices among our employees and stakeholders in these programs, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and awareness. This not only enhances their understanding but also empowers them to contribute actively to our sustainability goals.
Conclusion
For any new business, we will continue to use the same process as our business grows, establishing a virtuous and continuous process.
Our commitment to sustainability through the Cardboard Renewer Initiative and the Pallet Recycling Program demonstrates our dedication to environmental responsibility and resource conservation. By integrating these initiatives, TRIGO USA Auto is contributing to positively impacting our stakeholders and the communities we operate in.