Waste-reduction initiatives can deliver both environmental and operational benefits. In FY26, Key Resin advanced a series of targeted recycling projects designed to improve material recovery, eliminate disposal expenses and create new sources of value from waste.

One of the most significant changes involved bringing steel drum recycling in-house, eliminating disposal costs while creating a new revenue stream through scrap sales. The company also revamped its electronic waste management practices, which ultimately transformed a waste-related expense into a positive financial return. In addition, a planned cardboard baling program is expected to further enhance resource recovery and reduce waste.

Together, Key Resin's recycling improvements are expected to deliver more than $40,000 in annual savings while diverting additional materials from general waste streams.

These efforts align with RPM's broader focus on minimizing waste across its operations. RPM tracks waste reduction and recycling activities at the facility level and aggregates performance data through a centralized management system. This information helps businesses monitor progress and identify additional opportunities for operational improvement.

Key Resin’s recycling initiatives also show how continuous improvement can extend beyond production processes. By analyzing facility-wide material flows, associates can identify waste streams with recycling or recovery value and develop more efficient ways to manage them.