We are committed to acting as a steward of the natural environment. This is evident in our approach to water conservation. Although our operations are not especially water-intensive, we recognize the need to reduce water usage in our production processes. Each of our manufacturing facilities has controls in place to monitor water use, and through our collective efforts, we are making progress throughout our enterprise.
To achieve our water conservation aspirations, we strive to make continuous improvements in our water-related processes, management systems and equipment. This includes installing closed-loop water systems and heat exchangers. In addition, we conduct water use-specific reviews and implement strategies to reduce wastewater and stormwater pollutants. We manage our stormwater runoff at each manufacturing facility to prevent inadvertent contaminant discharge and meet local permit requirements.
We consider water stress when assessing our operations and making capital expenditure decisions. Before RPM moves, adds or closes any operations, we evaluate our potential impact on the environment and water resources against our assessment matrix. This assessment matrix was developed using the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas.
Our Goals for Water Conservation
As part of our FY30 sustainability goals, we have established a goal of implementing water stewardship plans for all facilities in areas of high or extremely high water stress. To learn more about our FY30 goals, visit the Our Sustainability Goals page.
HIGHLIGHT
RPM facilities around the world are advancing water conservation through innovative approaches. At our Stonhard Alghero facility in Italy, a stormwater containment and treatment system, water testing and enhanced incident reporting processes have strengthened the facility's approach to water stewardship. At our Resin Center of Excellence in Belgium, green roofing covers 80% of the facility and works alongside a rainwater capture system that collects water for reuse throughout the site.
Currently, RPM has few locations in close proximity to protected and high-value biodiversity habitat areas. We track projects to verify they are not in areas of high biodiversity, and if they are, we work to minimize the impact on local habitats. Our efforts to maintain the environments where we live and work include encouraging our associates to organize events and initiatives with a sustainability focus.
A few of these initiatives include:
Prime Resins joined the “Keep Conyers/Rockdale Beautiful” initiative, committing associates to quarterly roadway cleanups near its facility that help remove litter, improve local habitats and contribute to a cleaner, healthier community environment.
Associates at Stonhard's New Jersey facility continued growing the “Stongarden” for a second year, adding a bee house that supports pollination and local biodiversity while helping to cultivate produce for future donation to a local food bank.
Associates from Tremco, Euclid Chemical, DayGlo and RPM Corporate partnered with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, removing invasive species and restoring trails to help strengthen habitats, support native biodiversity and improve local ecosystems.
Nudura's facility in Granby, Canada, partnered with a local nonprofit on a river cleanup initiative, removing litter and debris from nearby shorelines to help protect waterways, preserve wildlife habitats and enhance the surrounding ecosystem.
