Green Blog
Green Business Spotlight: Columbia Okura
Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Columbia Okura has proven to be a leader in designing and manufacturing machines that stack pallets. Their company is not only committed to creating machines leading the packaging industry but has also pledged to incorporate sustainable business practice in daily operations.
Columbia Okura has embraced pallet wood recycling efforts and food waste collection in the breakrooms to divert organic material from the landfill. They have adopted creative ways to upcycle and reuse items that would otherwise be considered trash.
The company office space was recently renovated and incorporated sustainability into not only functionality, but also the cosmetics of the remodel. The company conference room now boasts stunning accent walls covered in wood paneling upcycled from pallets which would have otherwise been considered waste.
To date, over 90% of the warehouse and office light bulbs have been replaced and updated to LED, resulting in 1.5 million kWh or $75,000 savings annually.
Waste diversion efforts on campus include a test product donation program that keeps entire pallets of usable consumer products from going to waste. Companies that use Columbia Okura's palletizing machines send pallets of test products to Columbia Okura's manufacturing facility. The test products are used to ensure that the robotic machines can properly stack pallets of the products. Test products include a variety of materials, including food, building materials and infrastructure items. Columbia Okura has strong relationships with local nonprofit organizations and donates all test products after factory acceptance tests are completed. Columbia Okura's goal is to donate test products to reduce waste generated by these tests.
To learn more about Columbia Okura's robotics manufacturing work and commitment to environmental stewardship, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube @ColumbiaOkura.
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