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We're not going to fool anyone with grandiose proclamations of our
"dedication to environmental stewardship." We dye yarn. There's
no way to dye yarn without leaving a footprint. It is possible, however,
to make a tiny footprint.
That's our goal. Ironically, being "green" turns out to be
good business. Reducing energy consumption lowers overhead, saving
money. Reducing waste saves on raw material costs, saving money. Making
carpets easier to recycle stimulates consumer buying decisions,
affecting sales. Kind of gives being "green" a new meaning,
huh?
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Small problems with
simple solutions
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• We’ve reduced paper
usage (no extra copies, use e-mail, use paper twice, recycle used
paper).
• We recycle aluminum cans
in office and canteen areas.
• We’ve planted trees and
turned previously mown areas into pasture.
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Bigger problems and
solutions |
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• We’ve reduced energy
usage and water consumption and currently use 1/3 of the energy
compared
to 1989.
• We use less and recycle more. We recycle dyes, chemicals & solid waste (fiber, tubes,
cardboard, plastic wrap).
• Solid waste is baled and
recycled into molded plastics, auto door panels, toys, TV cabinets,
flower pots, etc.
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Waste dyes problems
and Ronile’s solution |
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The textile industry
disposes of billions of gallons of colored effluent each
year. This
creates problems because of the expense of waste dyes and
water
treatment and the impact on health and the environment.
We collect and store dye
waste, then analyze the amount of each color in waste and calculate a
formula for reuse. In 1993, Ronile disposed
of 500,000 gallons of concentrated dye solution. Today, we are reusing
over 80% of our waste dyes.
Our dye waste reuse
technology is available free of charge to the textile industry.
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Ronile’s Goals
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• Complete elimination of
dye being discharged into the environment.
• 100% clear effluent and
100% re-use of dyes and chemicals.
• Closed loop system.
• No dye waste sent to
landfill.
• Greater use of recycled
and natural raw materials.
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Public Recognition |
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• 1996 Virginia Governors’
Environmental Excellence Award
• A.L. Philpott
Manufacturing Center/Center for Innovative Technology
• Used as model for study by a state commission on environmental
stewardship
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Why? |
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• Environmentally friendly
practices are sound manufacturing practices and reduce waste and costs.
• Consumers are
increasingly looking at the environmental impact of products they use.
• It’s the right thing to
do.
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(but not on the environment)
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R
o n i l e I n c .
• 5 4 0 / 4 8 3 / 0 2 6 1 • r
o n i l e @ r o n i l e . c o m
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