🌿 ISO 14001 in Action: How a Foundry Reduced Waste and Saved Energy

🌿 ISO 14001 in Action: How a Foundry Reduced Waste and Saved Energy

In today’s world, environmental performance is no longer just a moral responsibility — it’s a business advantage. Many companies have realized that managing their environmental impact through ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) doesn’t just help the planet, it saves money too.

One such example comes from a brass and copper foundry in Gujarat, where implementing ISO 14001 turned everyday operations into measurable improvements.

The Foundry Case

The foundry produced brass billets and rods. For years, they faced rising fuel costs, smoke emissions, and complaints about waste disposal from nearby residents.

When management decided to go for ISO 14001 certification, the first step was identifying their significant environmental aspects — mainly fuel consumption, metal scrap, and furnace emissions.

With the help of an ISO consultant, they introduced simple yet effective changes:

• Replaced old furnace burners with energy-efficient models.

• Segregated metal scrap and reintroduced it into the melting process.

• Installed air filters and started daily emission monitoring logs.

• Reused cooling water through a small recycling system.

Within six months, energy bills dropped by nearly 12%, and metal waste was reduced by 20%. The team even began selling segregated waste material for additional income — a benefit they hadn’t expected.

Example 2: A Packaging Company’s Green Initiative

A medium-sized plastic packaging unit in Pune implemented ISO 14001 with a focus on reducing plastic waste.

They began by conducting a lifecycle review of their materials and introduced recyclable films and eco-friendly inks.
Waste segregation bins were placed across departments, and rejected materials were sent back to suppliers for reuse.
They also set a target to reduce power consumption by 10% through better lighting and machine maintenance.

By year-end, the company had saved almost ₹5 lakh in electricity and positioned itself as a preferred vendor for eco-conscious brands.

Example 3: Food Industry Sustainability Story

A food processing company in Hyderabad adopted ISO 14001 alongside ISO 22000. Their main goal was to manage water usage and waste disposal from cleaning operations.

They installed flow meters to track daily water use and introduced a simple wastewater recycling system for non-contact cleaning areas. They also partnered with a local composting unit to reuse organic waste.

The result? They reduced freshwater usage by 25% and created a local sustainability story that impressed both auditors and customers.

The Common Lesson

Across all these industries, one thing stood out — ISO 14001 made people aware of their environmental footprint. It changed how employees looked at waste, water, and energy.
Instead of expensive equipment or big investments, the mindset shift brought the biggest results.

Environmental management isn’t about compliance — it’s about responsible growth. Every company, big or small, can find savings and efficiency when it starts measuring and managing its impact.