ACME Sprinklers: pioneers in eco-responsible innovation
At a time when environmental concerns are occupying an increasingly important place, eco-responsible innovation has become crucial for companies of all sizes. In fact, adopting practices that are respectful of the environment not only enables us to respond to the growing expectations of consumers who care about their ecological footprint but also allows the whole team to rally around common goals and values, all while reinforcing opportunities for growth.
In this regard, ACME Sprinklers is making a name for itself by implementing innovative eco-responsible solutions, paving the way for others in the industry.
What does eco-responsible innovation entail in an SME?
Eco-responsible transition and innovation in an SME constitute crucial elements when it comes to facing our current environmental and social challenges. In a world where concerns about climate change, pollution and the responsible management of our natural resources are ever more pressing, there’s a growing demand for companies to rethink their practices in order to contribute to a more sustainable future. As a major pillar of Quebec’s economy, SMEs play a key role in this transition.
An eco-responsible transition in an SME involves several different aspects. First, the management must take an active interest in reducing the carbon footprint of the company’s operations. After experts in sustainable development perform a diagnostic, it will then be possible for the company to adopt an action plan that prioritizes the changes that will have the biggest impact on reducing the company’s ecological footprint. This could mean reducing greenhouse gas emissions, efficiently managing natural resources, minimizing waste, turning to sources of renewable energy or all of the above. SMEs can also review their supply chain in order to prioritize environmentally friendly products and suppliers.
To implement these changes, SMEs may be able to take advantage of various support measures and assistance programs. The provincial government often proposes tax incentives and subsidies to encourage companies to adopt eco-responsible innovations. Fonds Écoleader, of which ACME Sprinklers is a beneficiary, is a beautiful example of this in Quebec.
Eco-responsible innovation at ACME Sprinklers
The administrators at ACME decided to implement social and environmental innovation measures not only to enhance the company’s brand image but also, more importantly, to reflect its values. With the aid of Fonds Écoleader, they were able to submit an application to Comité 21 Québec, a social economy company whose mission is to set organizations on a path to undergoing an economical transition in the interests of fighting climate change, to make an in-depth analysis of their carbon footprint and to prioritize their actions.
Among other things, this analysis enabled ACME to become aware of the company’s carbon footprint in relation to its dependence on steel, which relies on an extraction process that’s harmful to the environment. We weren’t able to stop using this material completely, as steel pipes are an essential part of our sprinkler systems. What’s more, we were already recycling the scraps. However, we knew that we could do even better, which is why ACME Sprinklers made the following decisions:
- To provide employees with additional training to reduce waste
- To implement a policy to ensure that our suppliers and their suppliers meet certain criteria, including the following:
- Proximity: to prioritize local suppliers and demand that the pipes they supply to ACME are made from ore that’s either recycled or mined locally in Quebec
- Ethics: to require suppliers to obtain their raw materials from suppliers recognized for ethical practices and respect of their workers
- Reuse: to insist that the steel is made predominantly from recycled materials
- To share our practices with others in the industry because, to make a difference in the future, the idea isn’t to be the only company in the sector to implement changes, but rather to get suppliers, clients and competitors to change their practices, too
Involving employees in the process
Aware of the importance of getting employees involved in the transition project, ACME management surveyed team members to get their impressions. For example, we recently surveyed our employees regarding what could be made from scraps of steel and CPVC pipes. Some superb, completely unexpected ideas emerged.
Among other actions we have implemented or are in the process of implementing, the following stand out:
- The formation of an internal Sustainable Development Committee
- A search for companies that can reuse CPVC scraps
- The development of a LEED program for general contractors
- A reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the company’s fleet of vehicles and increased awareness of supplier transport methods (e.g. whether they use biofuels or electric vehicles)
- The installation of aluminum can recycling bins on worksites
And this is only the beginning, as employees continue sharing their ideas!
As you can see, ACME Sprinklers is committed to providing high-quality products while doing its part to protect the environment.
Would you like to learn more about the environmental innovation projects at ACME? Do you want more information on the services we offer at this innovative SME? Don’t hesitate to contact us!