Personal protective equipment (PPE) shields us from immediate harm, but in the full picture, it presents a growing environmental threat. Each year, trillions of masks, gloves, and other consumable items are discarded. While some materials can (and should) be recycled, most PPE ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of. There’s a better way. Fastenal’s PPE Recovery Program makes it easy for you to turn used PPE into usable energy at an approved waste-to-energy facility. This approach reduces the amount of waste entering landfills, recovers energy for electricity or heating, and produces fewer emissions than traditional disposal methods. Why this program works It’s flexible. This is a mixed-use, ‘brand-agnostic’ solution, meaning you can combine various PPE products in a single container. It’s effective. The EPA reports that for every ton of municipal solid waste processed at approved waste-to-energy facilities, emissions of greenhouse gases can be reduced by as much as one ton. It’s reportable. You will receive certification from Wastebits documenting the weight of PPE you’ve diverted from landfills. How this program works 01 Purchase PPE Recovery Kits using Fastenal part number 10499314. 03 Ensure end users are aware of the accepted materials that can be placed in a container (see below). Send an email to fastenalsustainabilitysolutions@fastenal.com 05 with a picture of the container (or pallet of shrink-wrapped containers) to notify Fastenal that your PPE is prepared for shipment. 07 Upon receiving your container(s), Wastebits will issue a Certificate of Landfill Diversion denoting the weight of PPE you've shipped. These metrics can be used in your sustainability reporting. Assemble the kits and place in high-traffic areas such as employee entrances/exits, breakrooms, and next to FASTVend machines. 02 Once a container is full, prep it for shipment by taping the lid shut, attaching the pre-printed Wastebits label, and handwriting your servicing Fastenal branch code. 04 Ship the container(s) via your preferred freight carrier. 06 Repeat! 08 Accepted Materials The program accommodates many types of PPE, but not all materials. Here's what can and can't go into your Fastenal PPE Recovery container. What Happens Once I Ship a Container? First, it goes to a Wastebits PPE processing location for consolidation and inspection. Then Wastebits creates bulk loads for approved waste-to-energy facilities. Here's how these facilities effectively handle the waste. Collection and Sorting: Upon arrival, the waste is sorted to separate recyclable materials and hazardous waste from the non-hazardous PPE items suitable for energy recovery. Preparation for Incineration: Non-hazardous PPE waste is prepared for incineration. This may involve shredding or compacting the waste to facilitate combustion and efficient energy recovery. Incineration: The PPE waste is fed into incineration chambers and subjected to high temperatures (from 850°C to 1,200°C,) which causes it to combust and release thermal energy. Energy Recovery: The thermal energy can be used to produce steam and generate electricity, or it can be used directly to heat buildings. Emission Control: The waste-to-energy facilities are equipped with advanced emission control technologies (such as scrubbers, filters, and catalytic converters) to reduce air pollutants and comply with environmental regulations. Residue Management: After incineration, the remaining ash and residues are carefully managed. Non-combustible materials, such as metals, are recovered for recycling. The remaining ash is typically disposed of in a controlled manner in accordance with regulatory requirements. Getting Started To clarify, this is not a Fastenal-managed program – you would be responsible for monitoring and shipping the containers. However, we’re ready to assist with change management. This includes helping you estimate your PPE consumption, determining the proper number of containers, suggesting container locations, and providing signage to educate your employees. Have questions or need support? Reach out to fastenalsustainabilitysolutions@fastenal.com.
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