Valley Design Enterprises is committed to promoting and contributing to a clean and safe environment. We will continually monitor and evaluate all sources of waste generated to determine feasibility of elimination or minimization through recycling, re-engineering, or process modification. Whatever cannot be eliminated is recycled or disposed of safely and responsibly within the scope of existing local and state requirements and recommendations. Further, we analyze our suppliers to insure that whatever we purchase is evaluated for environmental criteria. We believe that environmental, economic, and social issues are interdependent such that what is good policy in one area is good in all three areas.

In striving for sustainability, Valley Design’s cardboard container suppliers have noted that on average, 30% of the goods supplied are manufactured from recycled materials. The steel suppliers have noted that on average, over half of the goods supplied are manufactured from recycled materials. In coordination with our vendors, Valley Design also recycles all steel, stainless steel, and aluminum accumulated from the internal manufacturing process.

By eliminating harmful VOC’s produced from liquid paints, powder coating was developed as an environmentally friendly alternative that boasted better durability. Valley Design recognized this innovative green concept over 20 years ago and initiated the voyage to environmental responsibility. Although the nature of powder coating does not currently lend itself to using recycled materials for virgin powder, Valley Design utilizes over-spray collections on the powder coating lines, which boosted powder utilization to over 95%. The autophoretic coating line is also quite “green” as the Autophoretic 900 Series coating utilizes chemical rather than electrical deposition methods, and encompasses a chemical reaction to metal (ferrous) material. Along with powder coating, it also uses no heavy metals and moreover offers a solution to the European RoHS directive (restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment). With limited discharges, wastewater is monitored and compliant to MPCA guidelines. Valley Design’s process water conservation effort resulted in reducing water usage by 66% in 4 years.

With our wealth of experience expertly applying powder coatings to millions of components, we have taken powder coat to the next level with the inclusion of Dye Sublimation finish options. This process is the coating and decoration of aluminum and steel with marble or wooden patterns and designs. We are committed to recycling, conserving energy and protecting our natural resources, and as a result in the dye sublimation process, there is also no color material, chemical, or water waste.

Through the use of such things as a new boiler, a new fuel-efficient infrared oven, new lighting, and new heating units, Valley Design Enterprises has seen reduced energy consumption. Some proven measures taken over the years of reducing, recycling, and reusing are the following: reducing poundage of CO2 emissions from 7058 lbs per year to 5578 per year (21% reduction). Cutting water discharge from 2819779 gallons per year to 2385258 gallons per year (16% reduction), and taking solid waste landfill from 145910 lbs per year to 104700 lbs per year (28% reduction). Correlating this to sales, this equates to a 28% reduction in CO2 emissions, a 24% reduction in water discharge and a 35% reduction in solid waste landfill. With additional recycling of plastic, cardboard, aluminum, scrap steel, used oil, and wood pallets, it is clear everyone at Valley Design Enterprises shares the concern of protecting the environment. Valley Design is proudly committed to the protection of the environment and understands the economic and social impacts on the community.