Following two years of research, CML has been successfully implementing changes to its manufacturing processes, which are having a positive affect both financially and environmentally. The company has not only started recycling onsite, but is reviewing and changing its manufacturing processes to eliminate, or decrease dependency on some of the most wasteful areas. With spiralling waste collection charges, manufacturing companies are closely reviewing their practices in an effort to cut costs.

‘The idea of Eco-Design is to look at the whole picture of operation, said CML production manager Mike Dean. ‘Many companies do it just for the face value financial advantages. Emptying a recycling bin costs about half that of a general waste bin (the same size) but if you really embrace the idea and look at how the waste will be produced , you can actually reduce your waste before you have even started.’

CML report that a collaboration between two major players in the composite industry would see a state of the art fibreglass recycling facility opened within the next couple of years. The facility will take fibreglass waste, chip it, separating the fibres and resin, which will then be used to create a recycled Chopped Strand Matting and filler for resins.

Warwick Buckley, CML’s managing director said, ‘After making the decision to take a proactive approach to this issue, we wanted to open a facility ourselves but the equipment is near impossible to acquire. I believe it is bespoke, and also a company of our size just does not have the resources to set up something like this. However, GRP waste is a problem. It is currently being sent to landfill and we would fully support a recycling facility like the one proposed.’

CML has a reputation for producing high quality GRP and FRP mouldings for commercial clients. Some of the projects the company has undertaken include mouldings for the Offshore Raiding Craft, 15m HMS MOD police patrol boat and Avon’s military and commercial RIBs.