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Newsletter 2005 issue 2 |
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3M—30 Years of Pollution Prevention
3M is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Pollution Prevention Pays (3P) program. Over the last 30 years, the program has prevented 2.2 billion pounds of pollutants and saved nearly one billion dollars based on aggregated data from the first year of each 3P project.
In 1975, 3M adopted a global corporate environmental policy and launched the 3P program. One of the directives in the policy is that 3M “will prevent pollution at the source wherever and whenever possible.”
3M was breaking new ground. Applying pollution prevention on a company-wide basis and documenting the results had not been tried before. Now the company is pursuing sustainable development as it looks towards its future, and how to handle the future from an environmental perspective.
“In order to drive continuous improvement, we have to use innovative solutions. We have to ask ourselves ‘How can we make our products better? How can we improve on what has been done over the past 30 years?’,” said Jim Kotsmith, 3M Environmental Initiatives and Sustainability.
“The 3P program is an integral part of 3M’s sustainability strategy. 3P is about coming up with better ways of making products so we have resources for the future. If it fits within the cost structure of saving money, it works for business,” noted Kotsmith. “3P is the essence of sustainability in its early phase. It’s alive and well today at 3M, even more so than it was 30 years ago.”
Sampling of pollution prevention projects
3M employees worldwide have completed over 5,600 3P projects. The 3P program depends directly on the voluntary participation of 3M employees. Innovative projects are recognized with 3P awards. Here are a few examples.
Abrasive-backing production process. The Alexandria facility reformulated its process for producing abrasive backing. The new process improves product performance and consistency, and nearly eliminates air emissions. It prevented three tons of air pollution and saved $45,000 in its first year.
Hot-melt process. Surgical tapes are now manufactured with a hot-melt process, eliminating 2.3 million pounds of solvents each year and reducing energy consumption by 77 percent.
Returnable steel crates. The Cottage Grove facility developed a collapsible, reusable steel crate to replace multi-piece, single-use wooden crates for shipping automotive products to Germany. The team’s work eliminated 315 tons of solid waste and produced $101,800 savings in the first year alone.
Waterbased process. Scotch Magic Tape was reformulated in the 1970s. Since that time, the tape has been made with a waterbased adhesive process rather than a solvent-based one.
Read more about 3M’s 3P program and about retired 3M employee Mr. Joe Ling, known worldwide as "Mr. Pollution Prevention," on 3M's Web site.
Jim Kotsmith will speak on pollution prevention from a manufacturing perspective and his facility’s experience as a pollution prevention leader, on November 15 at MnTAP’s 20th anniversary celebration.
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