Protection of the Environment
Protection of the environment for continued sustainability, recognising and responding to community concerns, and protection of the health and safety of employees and the community are core values at Potters Europe. From the products Potters manufactures to the operation of its plants and the manner in which it conducts its business, the environment, health and safety are of critical importance.
Potters supports this commitment proactively, by:
- Recycling glass in the manufacturing process.
- Being committed to developing environmentally friendly products.
- Being certified that "all glass beads and coated glass beads fully comply with European Directive 90/128/EEC (now consolidated in European Directive 2002/72/EC) enabling their use without restriction in Food Contact Plastics.
- Liaising with local authorities at site locations to ensure that each plant acts as a responsible member of the community.
- Being committed to reducing casualties on the roads: members of the 'Road Safety Marking Associates' and 'Syndicat des Equipements de la Routes', and through participation in all relevant national and European road safety organisations such as Potters Europe's, Ines Scaldaferri who is acting Chairperson of the Italian Mirror Group of CEN/TC226/WG.
- Employing a European Health and Safety Manager who heads a team dedicated, with members in every plant, to ensure that health, safety and the environment are a priority throughout the Company.
- Dedicating a high proportion of the annual capital investment to make its plants safer, and more environmentally friendly for both staff and the surrounding community.
- Monitoring and minimising traffic movement around its plants.
Potters Europe adopts the following Responsible Care principles set out by PQ Corporation, its parent-organisation:
- To seek and incorporate public input regarding our products and operations.
- To provide chemicals that can be manufactured, transported, used and disposed of safely.
- To make health, safety, the environment and resource conservation critical considerations for all new and existing products and processes.
- To provide information on health or environmental risks and pursue protective measures for employees, the public and other key stakeholders.
- To work with customers, carriers, suppliers, distributors and contractors to foster the safe use, transport and disposal of chemicals.
- To operate our facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public.
- To support education and research on the health, safety and environmental effects of our products and processes.
- To work with others to resolve problems associated with past handling and disposal practices.
- To lead in the development of responsible laws, regulations and standards that safeguard the community, workplace and environment.
- To practice Responsible Care by encouraging and assisting others to adhere to these principles and practices.
(Responsible Care is a registered trademark of the American Chemistry Council)