Excel Industries expands recycling efforts

In a continuing commitment to be good stewards of the environment, Excel Industries, Inc., is expanding its recycling efforts. Excel is now partnering with Kansas Metals LLC to dispose of or recycle almost all products, including wood pallets, metal baskets, batteries, cardboard, office paper and scrap metal.

Excel will endeavor to design and manufacture innovative products that meet and exceed the U.S. government’s environmental standards and to be the turf industry leader in sustainable environmental practices.

“We have challenged our facility manager with the goal of sending zero waste to the landfill,” said Bob Mullet, vice president, Excel Industries. “Our goal is to constantly move in that direction. The expanded recycling of cardboard and hose reels is another big step toward that goal.”

The paint department of Excel, manufacturer of Hustler Turf Equipment and BigDog Mowers, is striving to reuse as much wash water as possible while fabrication sends out every ounce of scrap steel for recycling. Purchasing is challenging suppliers to use returnable racks and to limit the amount of material that won’t recycle. Recycling efforts in the office area are also expanding.

“Excel will use environmentally sound manufacturing processes to manufacture high-quality equipment while lowering our carbon footprint,” said Excel President Paul Mullet. “This will include using recycled materials, no VOC-emitting paint, shipping our products in returnable racks, and utilizing lower-energy-consuming manufacturing methods.”

Any employee with suggestions for eliminating other waste is encouraged to discuss their ideas with management. Many employees have already started to find other uses for plastic bags both at work and home instead of sending them to the landfill.

In 2011, Excel recycled almost half-a-million pounds of cardboard and more than three-and-a-half million pounds of steel.