The CooperVision high volume manufacturing facility responsible for producing billions of soft contact lenses each year has once again received top honours for programs and practices relating to its sustainability and occupational health and safety commitments.
The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA) recognised the Juana Díaz site with 13 awards at its 2017 Environmental Health and Safety Summit – the most bestowed on any company this year. These included the prestigious Environmental Innovation Project of the Year Award, reserved for a project or technology yielding unique, measurable results.
CooperVision minimised raw materials usage, waste, and emissions by more than 60 per cent, changing contact lens mould closure technology to use certain raw materials in their entirety. Not only has this prevented significant volumes of specialised plastic from being placed in landfills, but also represents annual savings in excess of US$4.5 million. This is the second consecutive year that CooperVision has been given the award.
“Our commitment to being a responsible environmental steward while operating our sites in a manner that’s good for business – combined with a highly inventive spirit of our people – are meaningful contributors to our global success,” said Rolando Torres, senior vice president, Americas Manufacturing Operations at CooperVision. “We’re grateful for PRMA’s ongoing support and highest recognition, especially considering the programs from other well-respected multinational corporations that were in consideration.”
CooperVision was also honoured with:
• A fifth consecutive President’s Award, given to the company with employee injury rates that are 50-74 per cent below the national average.
• Four Energy and Water Conservation Awards, placing a spotlight on initiatives that reduce annual water consumption by more than 30 million gallons, that reduce annual energy consumption by approximately 2 million KWh, and that minimise greenhouse gas emissions.
• A second straight Recycling Platinum Award, which is presented to an organisation that exemplifies best practice standards in alternate energy and sustainability. The Juana Diaz site recycles more than 90 per cent of its manufacturing process materials.
Additionally, the company won awards in overall environmental performance, environmental leadership, and waste/emission/chemical usage minimisation. Other honourees included corporations such as Amgen, Baxter, Bristol Myers Squibb, Coca-Cola, Honeywell, Medtronic, Merck, Microsoft, Stryker, and Pfizer.
