We have a responsibility to care for and protect the environment in which we operate. We are fully committed to improving environmental performance across all of our business activities and will encourage our suppliers, business partners, and members of the wider community to join us in this effort.
Manufacturing and the Environment
As a worldwide supplier of cash drawers, we have a responsibility to ensure that our products meet the requirements of our customers, markets, and communities we serve. To help accomplish this, the APG team takes an active and forward-looking role in various areas where our business impacts the environment.
The sourcing of our manufacturing components and their environmental impact are essential to our business. Our supply chain environmental responsibility policy addresses the impact of waste generation, emissions to air/water, transportation, energy consumption, and procurement.
What Are Conflict Minerals?
Conflict Minerals was enacted into US law through the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act in 2010, which compelled the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue rules requiring certain companies to disclose their use of “conflict minerals” that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. This act requires that companies demonstrate their efforts to ensure that tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold (3TG) used in their products are not funding armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
APG supports these industry-wide efforts, including the implementation of the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Conflict Minerals Reporting Template and the efforts of the Conflict-Free Smelter (CFS) program by surveying suppliers who use 3TG in the production of components.
Hazardous Substances
Many of APG’s customers have a variety of environmental requirements for products that APG must comply with. These rules and regulations aim to protect the environment from substances known to be dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.
To help ensure that APG products are compliant with these rules and regulations, our team works with our suppliers to gather evidence that the materials, components, and finishes meet the applicable requirements.
The information from our suppliers is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Once the information is determined to be trustworthy, APG’s internal quality systems are updated accordingly. The gathering, review, and approval of the required information help ensure that our products meet the requirements of our customers and markets.
Reducing Our Environmental Footprint
APG strives to reduce our impact on the environment and the local community through a variety of programs and initiatives. We analyzed our production processes to identify ways to minimize our waste stream. We have reduced our powder coat waste up to 50% by adding equipment that minimizes waste from changeovers, reducing energy consumption by lowering washer tank settings, installing solar tubes in key locations of the facility, changing to LED lights, and upgrading internal filtration systems on our machines, to name a few.
In addition to these efforts, the remaining waste stream is managed to ensure it is disposed of responsibly. We maximize recycling opportunities for steel scrap, electronic waste (circuit boards, cables, and solenoids), and used oil. We are compliant with local government regulations for hazardous waste disposal and stormwater regulations requiring minimal total suspended solids to flow into the public drain system.
APG’s environmental impact is something we take pride in, as it not only meets the law but also aligns with our customers’ expectations. We are committed to continually assessing the environmental impact of our operations and working to optimize those for minimum adverse impact. Each of us is accountable for sustaining a healthy relationship with our planet, and we encourage our suppliers, business partners, and members of the wider community to join us in this effort.
Key Impacts in the Areas of
- Energy, raw material, and water use
- Waste generation
- Emissions to air/water
- Transport
- Procurement
Our Environmental Action Goals in Supply Chain Management
- Assess our organizational activities and identify areas where we can minimize impacts.
- Minimize waste through careful and efficient use of all materials and energy.
- Procure sustainable and ethically-sourced products wherever feasible. These include recycled, FSC, or low environmental impact products, components comprising conflict-free minerals, and energy from renewable sources.
- Train employees in good environmental practice and encourage employee involvement in environmental action.
- Reduce risks from environmental, health, or safety hazards for employees and others in the vicinity of our operations.
- Adopt an environmentally sound transport strategy.
- Continually assess the environmental impact of our operations and optimize those for minimum adverse impact.
- Aim to include environmental and ethical considerations in investment decisions where appropriate.
- Assist in developing solutions to environmental problems.
- Publicize our environmental position.
- Align with suppliers who themselves strive to attain high standards of environmental stewardship.
- Ensure proper disposal of our products at the end of their useful life.
Compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 33
Some of APG’s products contain Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, Lead (Pb), Diboron Trioxide, and 1,3,5-Tris(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione (TGIC). Please contact us at compliance@apgsolutions.com for further information on specific products and safe handling information.
