Manufacturing steel drums that are intended for reuse is a sustainability policy that drives the Skolnik business practices model. Finding reuse options for raw materials and end by-products has also been a long time policy. However, taking the program to a higher level, we engaged the services of the Delta Institute in Chicago, to create a documented Sustainability Plan with a corresponding Implementation- Action Plan. The primary objective was to develop a plan that not only documented and coordinated current Skolnik sustainability initiatives, such as energy efficiency strategies and waste minimization, but would also identify opportunities for continuous improvement and progress, and afforded ways to track such progress.
In developing Skolnik’s Sustainability Plan, Delta employed a process mapping exercise that provided a 360 degree view of Skolnik’s operations identifying material inputs and wastes generated in each part of Skolnik’s process. Delta then engaged Skolnik in a charrette styled process mapping exercise to obtain input from each major department in the organization. The ideas generated during this process formed the framework for the implementable initiatives included in Skolnik’s Sustainability Action Plan. The resulting Plan consists of 7 goals and they are:
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- Reduce Waste
- Conserve Process Material Inputs
- Reduce Electricity, Natural Gas and Water Use
- Promote Sustainable Office Practices
- Increase Employee Participation in Sustainability Initiatives
- Promote Sustainability of Human Resources
- Conduct Sustainability Reviews.