Plastics Industry
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- Products and Services: Compounding and testing; integrated design analysis and prototyping; large tonnage molding and plastics processing for the automotive, industrial and solid waste markets.
- Unique Programs:
- "Smart" refuse bins and garbage trucks with scales and data readers developed by Cascade Engineering will facilitate systems of charging household for their garbage collection based on weight. This innovative EcoNology system utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) chips implanted in the bins which are read by sensors on the trucks.
- The potential also exists to provide more incentives and reward for households who produce very little waste. The RFID chips would also serve as a disincentive to garbage can theft and other illegal activities.
- Landscaping strategies include using indigenous wildflowers to cut back on mowing and irrigation, grasses suitable for soil conditions, horticulturally-based storm water management and lots of trees to provide shade and cooling.
- The parking lot is paved with pervious brick, which allows water to percolate into the soil. Telecommuting from home and carpooling are encouraged to reduce the amount of parking needed, the number of cars sitting in the lots, and the frequency of commutes.
- Cascade Engineering provides a Welfare-to-Career Program which helps "unemployed and underemployed individuals as they move from dependence to economic self-sufficiency".
- They provide a School-to-Career Program to help at-risk high school students develop the life skills necessary to overcome the barriers of poverty.
- Cascade Engineering also participates in the Ex-Offender Resource Center to promote "successful job placement, retention and career movement for ex-offenders."
- Using the rationality that success is not a definite guarantee for any specific market, Cascade is improving the odds for sustaining its business by diversifying into several markets: medical devices, solid waste, material handling, material compounding, automotive, and industrial.
- Cascade uses Just-In-Time (JIT) technology.
- A training program in the Goodwill café sited on-location prepares participants to work in the food service industry, while offering a convenient lunch option for the employees of Cascade Engineering and also catering services for the company. As a part of the program, participants are trained to use green carryout containers, compost food waste, and recycle.
- Cascade’s WOW Team (Working on Wellness) issues a monthly newsletter on wellness, features demonstrations on healthy cooking, health education and exercise classes. The team has put into operation on-site fitness facilities and a Weight Watchers® group, yearly flu shot offerings, and health screenings. Every Cascade employee takes part in job coaching, exercises to promote back health, and planned wellness activities such as basketball shoot-outs.
- Preferential parking and a recharging station are offered to those who drive hybrid vehicles. For those who bike, Cascade provides showering facilities.
- Cascade uses "green" cleaning chemicals and processes.
- Instead of building a new structure, Cascade renovated its existing building with green building criteria and intention of site disturbance reduction. Some of these renovations included:
- Carpeting with sections which allow each to be replaced easily if needed, and that is also recyclable or reusable when it wears out.
- A white roof which is effective at reflecting the sun’s heat, keeping the building at a more comfortable temperature while reducing cooling costs.
- All of the wallpaper in the lobby is made from a single tree. Many of the existing materials found in the building were reclaimed. The commercial kitchen appliances and furniture for the café had been previously used.
Funded by the Steelcase Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Header photo
courtesy of Bigfoto
Site by CMC/GrandNet