Earth Day is an excellent reminder to adopt sustainable home, work, or school practices. When you think of a vending machine, sustainability probably is not the first thing you associate them with. However, vending machines play a role in promoting eco-friendly practices and sustainability in businesses. Grab your favorite reusable mug, sit back, and discover how innovative technology is changing the game for Mother Nature – one vending machine at a time.
The USI Pledge and Initiatives
We have a 90-year history of implementing corporate social practices and have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, committing our focus to the following:
- Reducing water usage by 10% within the year 2025
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our vending products by 45% by 2025
- Increasing investment in low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green projects by $2 million by 2025
- Developing long-term business plans that align with the deep DE carbonization necessary to keep global average temperatures from rising less than 2C
Waste Reduction & Recycling Programs
Our efforts to reduce waste extend beyond our operations. We work with our suppliers to reduce waste in the entire value chain. We also have a well-established program where we recycle materials like paper, aluminum, steel, plastic, and other recyclables within our facilities.
Energy Reduction
U-Select-It has taken steps to become more energy efficient by switching to office and production equipment that consume less energy. We have upgraded computer systems, printing machines, and copiers to more efficient, energy-saving models and computer monitors are energy-saving LCD models. We have also improved our lighting systems with high-efficiency lamps.
The Go Green Commitment
All USI products have design features that utilize the latest technologies, reduce environmental impact, and provide top-of-the-line products.
Sustainable Sourcing
Our commitment to being environmentally and socially responsible extends to how we manage our supply chain. We continuously enhance our sustainable sourcing practices by collaborating with our suppliers to implement RoHS initiatives that limit the use of hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Energy Efficient Designs
Our product designs incorporate the latest technology in electricity, lighting, refrigeration, and communication, which makes them the most energy-efficient and valuable products available on the market. They are available in various models that comply with the Tier II Energy Star, CSA, and California Energy Commission standards. Our products come equipped with durable LED lighting, advanced power management controls that enable scheduled shutdowns of the lighting and refrigeration system, and remote telemetry options that save fuel while monitoring inventory and service requirements.
Environmental Friendly Foaming Process
USI’s latest in the refrigerated and frozen segment uses ecomate® blowing agents featuring zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and zero GWP (Global Warming Potential). It also is VOC exempt, meaning it does not contribute to pollution.
Dedicated Refurbishing Center
Our passion for sustainability is reflected in our efforts in collecting, recycling, treating, and disposing of end-of-life vending machines. Our capabilities are aligned to extend the useful life of vending equipment cost-effectively.
LED Lighting
Did you know that USI was the first to introduce LED lighting in vending machines? We have also created a UV solution with LEDs, which helps avoid contamination caused by the disposal of mercury vapor labs.
Vending Sustainability
As the world becomes increasingly conscious of its environmental impact, sustainable vending is essential for operators to consider.
Here’s what you can do to create a sustainable vending experience:
- Choose energy-efficient vending machines. These machines use less electricity, which not only saves money but also reduces our carbon footprint.
- Let’s think about the products we vend. Are they sustainable? Are they made from recycled materials? Can we compost or recycle them?
- Can we reduce or eliminate packaging? Or can we choose eco-friendly packaging options like recyclable or compostable packaging?
Final Words – Let’s Encourage Eco-friendly Choices
This Earth Day, we urge everyone to think about their individual choices and ways that they can help create an eco-friendly future. By investing in eco-friendly machines, vending businesses can reduce their environmental impact while still providing quality products and services to their customers (the definition of responsible profitability). At USI, we can help you find the perfect eco–friendly machine for your business, contact us today!