Dordan began working on recycling PET thermoformed packaging in 2011, when it realized the type of packaging it manufactures was not accepted for recycling in the majority of American communities. Dordan's efforts to recycle clamshell and blister packaging concluded in 2017, when thermoform packaging officially became "recyclable" according to the FTC. Dordan was awarded three magazine cover stories, describing the steps taken to overcome the barriers to plastics recycling.
Zero-waste-to-landfill, renewable energy, community engagement.
Dordan is working towards zero-waste, it efforts include: All plastic scrap is ground onsite and returned to the plastics supplier, which re-extrudes the plastic flake into post-industrial plastic, thereby closing the loop. All aluminum scrap from our tool and die shop is collected and recycled; all material cores are collected and recycled; all skids are made from recycled material and are collected for recycling.
Dordan is working to reduce its energy consumption, its efforts include: Replacing all of the lights in the facility with high-efficiency LEDs; working with local municipalities to investigate incorporating renewable sources of energy into its electrical grid; measures its resource consumption as the baseline off which energy reduction targets are managed.
Dordan built a community garden, an on-site composter, and volunteers with local organizations that work to preserve the health and safety of the community.