From using wood pallets and wood scraps for fuel recovery to recycling aluminum pop cans and paper, the goal of the Integrity Recycle/Re-Use Program is to reduce Integrity waste streams to “zero waste.” In order to accomplish this goal we have tackled the largest waste streams first and emphasize continual improvement.

The volume of garbage delivered to the landfill has been reduced by one-third despite an increase in production and employees. This is due to proper recycling and re-use of the plant’s waste streams. The Integrity manufacturing plant has more than doubled in size due to the recent building expansion program implemented in 2001. Previously, waste materials were disposed three times per week. The waste disposal has now been reduced to twice per week.

Recycling Efforts

Integrity recycles many materials that would traditionally be classified as waste products and sent to the landfill.

Cardboard

Integrity fully recycles all corrugated cardboard from vendor shipments, diverting all usable cardboard from the plant waste streams. A local recycling company previously emptied 40-yard dumpsters twice a month, but now returns once or twice a week due to increased recycling efforts.

Polyethylene Films

A Recycle/Re-Use department separates plastics which generally consist of polyethylene shipping films. Previously, polyethylene films went to the landfill as waste; today, more than 4,000 pounds per year are recycled.

Metal Scraps and Metal Drums

The Recycle/Re-Use department processes metal shipping straps that enter the plant from our various suppliers and sends them to a local scrap metal company. Metal drums are used to either hold scrap metal or are given to a Marvin company for use in their process. Sheet steel, prepared steel and metal banding are all highly recyclable, realizing a 75% energy savings. Currently, Integrity recycles 3,348 pounds of this metal per year.

Aluminum

Aluminum is by far the most valuable recyclable material today. It can be recycled almost indefinitely and it takes 95% less energy to convert recycled aluminum rather than to produce it from scratch. Currently, we collect and recycle nearly 6,000 pounds of aluminum per year.

Glass

The Integrity Quality Assurance Department checks all incoming glass to assure the quality of usable production pieces. Non-usable and rejected glass is returned to the supplier before use in the process. Care is taken to reduce broken pieces. At this point, Integrity has too little glass waste to recycle effectively.

Ultrex

Quality Assurance checks incoming Ultrex to assure quality and sends rejects back to the manufacturer, thus eliminating waste before it arrives in the plant. In turn, we use our Ultrex material wisely to avoid and reduce production waste.

Fiber Drums

Silicone is typically received in lined drums, which are re-used to collect chopped plastic materials. In addition, drums are sent to a Marvin company for re-use in their processes.

Waste Paper, Aluminum Cans, Plastic Pop Bottles, Magazines and Shredded Confidential Documents

Office materials are currently sent to a local recycling company to divert them from the Integrity waste stream.

Waste Oil and Waste Solvents

Waste oil and solvent disposal drums are installed for these materials, plus a certified waste oil hauler takes waste oil for recycling while waste solvents are removed by a certified hazardous waste hauler.

Aerosol Spray Cans and Spent Batteries

Integrity collects aerosol cans and batteries, bringing them to the local Hazardous Waste Facility for proper processing.

Florescent and Metal Halide Lamps

Integrity collects used lighting products for proper certified processing.

Overall Energy Efficiency

Whenever possible, Integrity contributes manufactured wood wastes to help fuel and heat the Marvin Window and Door Company’s two million square-foot facility in Warroad, MN.

Wood

All reusable standard-size wood pallets in Warroad are utilized for return shipments. Non-usable, odd-sized wood pallets are used as boiler fuel for heating the facility. Further, cut-off wood end waste scraps are piled in pallets and shipped to Warroad for use as boiler fuel.

Some local companies reuse odd-sized pallets, while others have been sold to pallet building companies to be reconditioned and reused locally. We have also made arrangements with material vendors in the use of plastic reusable shipping pallets, possibly eliminating the disposal of wood pallets altogether.

Integrity products qualify for $1,500 tax credit