Over 30% of world’s currently processed zinc is reprocessed from either production scraps or dismissed components. Recycling involves all processing phases, and all zinc based products are recyclable. Moreover, zinc coating doesn’t prevent recycling of other metals or alloys. In fact, thanks to the most recent technologies, like the electric arc furnace, even zinc powder produced during galvanized steel’s recycling can be collected and reused, thus further reducing waste of material.

ZINC ROLE IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Thanks to its metallurgic characteristics, once that zinc-made products come to their end of life they can be gathered and processed to be reconverted into new products. In 2010, almost 4 million tons of zinc were recovered and reintroduced in the productive cycle by using the modern recycling systems.

Zinc industry constantly invests in new technologies to increase the efficiency of scraps recovery, thanks to which is possible to lower the pollution caused by continued mining extraction and to safeguard natural reserves of zinc.

On a global scale, almost 45% of zinc is saved and recycled. In developed countries like Europe and North America, recycling percentage is even higher, reaching 95% when considering brass and roof coverings production.

Although it may go unnoticed, the use of zinc in everyday life can significantly help in reducing the environmental footprint through its many applications. This help to improve the circular economy.

BRUSCHI COMMITMENT TO A SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION

In addition to the use of a highly recyclable raw material, Bruschi is committed to maintaining an efficient production and following international standards in matters of environmental safety. Because of this, the company applied for and achieved important certifications like ISO 14001 and SMETA 4-Pillars.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 identifies a standard of environmental management system inspired by the PDCA model (Plan-Do-Check-Act).

For this certification, the company must define its goals and environmental policy, as a signal of a real commitment to constant improvement and control of the adequacy of its environmental management system.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify how company’s process could impact the environment and to define an objective evaluation system of said impact (e.g. gas emissions, water discharge, correct disposal of hazardous substances and waste), identify law imposed limits and define its own ecological goals. Next phase requires an active application of the established set of rules, through definition of resources, roles and responsibility in the environmental management system. Related files should always be kept up to date and periodically checked. Monitoring should be constant, especially in regard of operations at risk of high environmental impact.

Bruschi dedication to keep up-to-date and ecologically safe is shaped on this model, maintaining a constant control of production quality not only for our clients, but also for the environment.

SMETA-4 PILLARS

In February of 2017, Bruschi achieved the certification SMETA 4-Pillars, which involves the subscription to a shared ethical and behavioral statute, confirming its devotion not only towards the environment and a sustainable production system, but also towards labor’s right, safety and health.

SMETA 4-Pillars directions for environment are based on the following requirements:

• Observance of all applicable local and national environmental laws;
• Ability to demonstrate possession of relevant valid permits, including those for use and disposal of resources;
• Awareness to end client’s environmental standards/code requirements and monitor their performance against these.

It’s also required that the company subscribing for the SMETA 4-Pillars produces clear environmental policy and environmental impact assessment documentation; waste management policies and water, energy and resource conservations programs should be arranged, along with air-emission, boundary noise and effluent discharge limitations. Moreover, all required licenses and certificates should be maintained, in order to comply with local law and be aware of customer requirements for continuous improvement.

To know more about this certification, please feel free to consult our article Bruschi achieves SMETA 4-Pillars certification or official Sedex – SMETA organizer – website.

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Bruschi strongly believes in business ethics, and has always been committed to producing solutions that will not only apply to our customers, but that will lead us toward a better future for us all.

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SMETA 4-Pillars: Bruschi for an ethical future

Bruschi obtains SMETA 4-Pillars certification in order to give its clients the certainty to have a sustainable production system, certified by Sedex organization.

What is SMETA 4-Pillars certification?

SMETA is the acronym for The Sedex Member Ethical Trade Audit that has been arranged by Sedex Auditor Group and which aim is to provide information about auditing of companies. In fact Sedex goal is to monitor companies practices and consequently to drive improvements in supply chains. On one hand on Sedex website buyers can have access to suppliers audit in order to choose which supplier is more suitable for them, on the other hand it is an opportunity for suppliers to guarantee to its clients to reach their expectations in terms of ethical business.

SMETA has been created to help Sedex members to meet objectives of responsible sourcing within supply chains and to improve the ethical audit effectiveness.

SMETA 4-Pillars, as the name suggested, is focused on 4 different areas: labor standards, environmental management, health and safety and business integrity. These area need to be improved by companies in order to respect an ethical behaviour code.

Nowadays is getting more and more important for companies to be ethical, for this reason SMETA 4-Pillars certification is fundamental to reach the aim. Being ethical means that a company can comply with all the local labor laws and regulations and that its employees can work in a healthy and safe environment. This is the reason why Bruschi has decided to obtain the certification, to assure its clients to follow an ethical behavior code certified by a specific organization that tests and inspects companies.

To ensure a better future for the global business.

SMETA 4-Pillars benefits

Through SMETA certification Bruschi achieved many benefits that include:

• Obtain brand protection using responsible sourcing: being a responsible supplier means to have put actions in place in order to protect the brand reputation of its clients.
• An improved supply chain management, that allows Bruschi to be listed in Sedex members. In this way guarantee a sustainable production system to its customers.
• Reduce costs through standard and shared approach to share audit information: thanks to Sedex website, suppliers such as Bruschi can build an international network sharing information about the result of the certification in order to meet clients’ expectations.

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Bruschi will to be even more ethical

Bruschi decided to join Sedex organization as a Supplier member to widen its corporate social responsibility so that could give the certainty to its customers to respect ethical laws and regulations to achieve a better and safer supply chain management.

As said before SMETA 4-Pillars certification allowed Bruschi to subscribe an ethical behaviour code. Bruschi obtained the certification due to an audit where Bureau Veritas, authority for certifications, tested Bruschi supply chain management in order to obtain the SMETA 4-Pillars certificate.

Bruschi CEO and president Paolo Rastelli said: “This achievement in terms of certification is a significant milestone for Bruschi. Thanks to SMETA 4-Pillars certification Bruschi can be evaluated as an ethical company. This certification, joined to other certifications such as ISO /TS 16949, is a plus for Bruschi; in fact certifications can be considered as key points that allow clients to trust Bruschi in terms of ethical and quality behaviour.”

About Sedex

Sedex is a no-profit membership organization dedicated to drive improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains.

It is an innovative and effective supply chain management solution, helping companies to reduce risk, protect reputation and improve supply chain practices.

About Bruschi

For over 70 years Bruschi has been working in industrial production in the field of zinc die casting. Over time Bruschi has distinguished itself for efficiency, accuracy, ability to listen its customers’ needs and its innovative drive in design and technology.

Please feel free to subscribe to Bruschi Zinc Die Casting Blog and be always updated on industry news and innovations.

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