Sustainability

Delivering Bent & Specialist Glass with Excellence

Glasshape^® understands that in order to be truly sustainable we need a holistic view of how we operate. The three interconnected spheres of sustainability being Environmental, Economic and Social need to be managed in a collective way in order to provide a total sustainable future for our business to prosper and for those that we are connected to can benefit from.

Environmental Sustainability

Glasshape^® is committed to developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable future, to help ensure generations to come inherit a world that benefits from our efforts and is less affected by climate change.

We understand that what we do can make a difference, for better or worse and therefore we take this responsibility very seriously.

Glass Waste

Glasshape manufactures its bespoke bent and specialist glass products from standard sized rectangular flat panes of float glass. We purchase this high-quality stock material from companies such as AGC, who are equally committed to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Our initial process of manufacturing products involves the cutting of infinitely variable sized and shaped profiles from these flat stock sheets, which can result in glass wastage. Through the investment in advanced batching and nesting technology, this inherent wastage in the cutting process is significantly reduced; maximizing the yield from our base materials.

Any waste glass that results from this technically advanced cutting process is 98% – 100% recycled through our preferred provider 5R Solutions; who repurpose this glass into the following products, extending its use and preventing it from entering landfill:

- Filtration Systems
- Insulation Products
- Sand Blasting Media

Water Supply & Reuse

Water Supply and Reuse

To ensure our products are of the topmost quality, we require an equally high standard and supply of Water, in order to CNC Cut, Edge Polish and Clean our Glass in the process of manufacturing. This Water is used to lubricate our cutting tools and to remove debris left on the Glass after cutting and polishing, before it enters our toughening, bending, printing and or laminating processes.

As part of a recent and major Plant Extension, Glasshape implemented a Rainwater Catchment and Filtration facility, which takes Rainwater from our expansive Factory Roof and stores it in Holding Tanks for use in our Cutting Plant. This Water is reused many times over, going through a sediment extraction and filtration system to ensure it is fit for use.

This source of Water and method of filtration and reuse, reduces the need to draw from Municipal facilities and ensures that when the Water enters the Waste System that it is free from pollutants.

Packaging Recycling

Due to the bespoke nature of our Glass Products and the inherent properties of glass, being weight and vulnerability to damage if not packaged correctly, we rely on using durable and workable materials, such as wood and cardboard as our primary materials for packaging. Both materials come from sustainable resources which we actively recycle through our preferred supplier, Northland Recycling.

Energy Sources

The processes of Bending, Toughening (Tempering) and Laminating Glass require a lot of energy, mainly due to the amount of heat required in order to successfully ensure the quality and shape of our products and the standards that they need to meet are achieved, for their designated applications.

We employ two main sources of energy in order to run our plant and machinery, the first being Electricity which is supplied to us by Mercury from 100% renewable sources, such as Wind, Hydro, Geothermal and Solar. The second source of energy is Natural Gas which is supplied to us by Contact who are equally focused on providing sustainable products which are locally sourced.

Transportation of Goods

Due to the quality and demand for Glasshape products, we find ourselves shipping our goods all over the world. Where possible, for long-distance shipping we recommend and prefer to ship our products via sea freight; which we believe causes fewer CO2 emissions. Once again, we have chosen to work with an equally committed freight forwarding company, Mondiale who are dedicated to making a difference for the better of our environment.

Product Lifecycle End of Life

An inherent quality of the Products that we manufacture, can be found in the amazing material that we use. The longevity of Glass and its ability to be repurposed when it has reached the end of its life for the application in which it was manufactured, is truly outstanding and understated. Glass is one of the ultimate sustainable materials!

Our Sustainable Supply Partners

We have chosen to enter into supply partnerships with the following companies not only for the quality of service and products that they provide; but also as they share a common view with us on the importance of sustainability.

Economic Sustainability

Fairness, Accountability, Responsibility & Transparency in Governance

Glasshape^® governance and management is multi-leveled, drawing upon the expertise of its Directors and Senior Management Team in order to maintain a high degree of transparency, fairness and accountability to its Shareholders and all Stakeholders in the business, including its Staff. Glasshape continually monitors and reports on its economic performance and actively works to remove any risk from the business; which could cause harm and adversely affect those entities that are both, directly and indirectly, related to it.

Social Sustainability

Respect, Support & the Wellbeing of our Staff and Community

Glasshape^® respects and values its staff and the communities which they come from and who we serve. We understand that without their support and wellbeing, we wouldn’t be able to perform at the standard required within the Markets in which we do business. It’s our people that make the difference and it is the reason why we invest a lot of time and effort into making sure that the environment in which they operate, is safe and that they are adequately trained to perform their designated tasks, free of concern. We actively support and encourage our staff to better themselves and help where possible, to further their education and training, enabling them to grow within the business. We are advocates for equal opportunity, employing and promoting staff based on their skills and not their gender, race or physical abilities.

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Seattle: 206-538-5416

New York: 332-255-6319

Sustainability

Sustainability

Delivering Bent & Specialist Glass with Excellence

Environmental Sustainability

Our Sustainable Supply Partners

Economic Sustainability

Fairness, Accountability, Responsibility & Transparency in Governance

Social Sustainability

Respect, Support & the Wellbeing of our Staff and Community

Contact us today to learn more about our glass solutions!

Sustainability

Sustainability

Delivering Bent & Specialist Glass with Excellence

Environmental Sustainability

Our Sustainable Supply Partners

Economic Sustainability

Fairness, Accountability, Responsibility & Transparency in Governance

Social Sustainability

Respect, Support & the Wellbeing of our Staff and Community

Contact us today to learn more about our glass solutions!

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