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 a variety of areas where our business impacts the environment.

How our manufacturing components are sourced and the impact they have on the environment is essential to our business. Our supply chain environmental responsibility policy addresses the impact of waste generation, emissions to air / water, transport, energy and procurement.

What Are Conflict Minerals?

Conflict Minerals was enacted into US law through the Dodd-Frank Consumer Protection Act in 2010 which compelled 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 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, reduction of 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 responsibly disposed of. 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 because not only is it the law, it is what our customers expect. We are committed to continually accessing 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.

Ryan Carlson Product Compliance Manager APG Cash Drawer