Reducing Waste, Adding Value.
Introduction:
Over the years, we have engaged with and participated in numerous environmental and
chain-of-custody programs. While these organizations have undoubtedly made meaningful
contributions to sustainability, we’ve come to recognize that no single certification truly
encompasses the diverse elements required for a fully environmentally conscious solution.
For instance, one certification might prioritize the responsible harvesting of trees but
neglects the critical environmental impacts of carbon emissions and the benefits of near
sourcing. Another may champion the use of post-consumer recycled materials, yet
overlooks the harmful chemicals used in bleaching processes that ultimately pollute our
waterways.
This realization inspired us to create our own initiative, designed to empower our
customers with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions based on their unique
values and priorities. Thus, the Westkey Xibita War on Waste (WOW) was born – a holistic
program that bridges the gaps left by existing certifications, ensuring a more
comprehensive approach to sustainability.
1. Program Vision and Goals
Vision:
To minimize environmental impact by reducing waste, optimizing resource usage, and
foster a culture of sustainability and awareness.
Core Goals:
- Eliminate unnecessary waste in materials, energy, and processes.
- Innovate with sustainable alternatives to traditional practices.
- Educate and engage employees, customers, and stakeholders.
2. Key Pillars of WOW
- Materials Optimization
- Prioritizing the use of recycled and renewable materials.
- Develop and promote eco-friendly product lines (e.g., low-VOC inks, biodegradable
packaging). - Reduce material waste during production through precision cutting, digital proofs, etc.
- Employing technology for efficiency and waste reduction.
(Ink mixing machines & a press fleet that hosts substrates of all sizes and thicknesses)
- Energy Efficiency
- Recycling energy into heat—within our facilities.
- Optimize equipment for energy efficiency (e.g., LED lighting, eOicient printers).
- Track and report energy usage to identify areas for improvement.
- Water Conservation
- Reduce water usage in manufacturing processes.
- Reuse and recycle water wherever possible.
- Partner with suppliers who prioritize water stewardship.
- Waste Reduction
- Minimize waste generation through lean manufacturing techniques.
- Implement recycling programs for materials like paper, plastic, and metals.
- Encourage customers to return used products for recycling or re-purposing.
- Carbon Emissions
- Supporting Mills that work to offset carbon emissions through tree planting and
- renewable energy investments.
- Optimize transportation and logistics to reduce fuel consumption and favour near
sourced and domestic product. - Invest in carbon capture technologies where feasible.
- Engagement and Education
- Host internal workshops and campaigns to foster employee participation.
- Create customer-facing materials to highlight WOW’s impact and encourage
partnerships.
- Implementation and Accountability
- Assign a dedicated sustainability team to oversee WOW initiatives.
- Set measurable targets (e.g., “Reduce production waste by 20% within two years”).
- Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and industry groups to scale efforts.
- Regularly audit and refine the program to ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.
Toward a Certified Future
Our ultimate goal is to establish Westkey Xibita’s WOW (War on Waste) as an official
certification through the development of a robust auditing process. By creating measurable
criteria and transparent standards, we aim to provide a credible framework that businesses
can adopt to achieve genuine environmental responsibility.
We firmly believe that sustainability and environmental consciousness should not come at
a premium. As part of our initiative, we continually focus on reducing waste, optimizing
resources, and utilizing materials more efficiently. These eOorts not only benefit the
environment but also often lead to cost savings that are passed directly to our customers,
delivering increased value without compromise.
With WOW, we’re committed to proving that doing what’s right for the planet can also be
good for business. Together, we can create solutions that balance environmental
stewardship with economic practicality, driving a more sustainable future for everyone
Got Questions? Want more information? Call us toll-free at 1-800-663-9952, or drop us an email at sales@wk.graphics.
You can also schedule a quick one-on-one with a Westkey Xibita Expert by clicking HERE.
