Our Commitment to Sustainability
At our factory, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it is an integral part of our business strategy and corporate responsibility. We recognize the environmental challenges associated with acrylic manufacturing, such as reliance on fossil-based materials and energy-intensive processes. In response, we have proactively adopted eco-conscious practices at every level of our operations. Our leadership and engineering teams are dedicated to continuous improvement in sustainable performance, ensuring we meet present needs without compromising future generations. In line with industry best practices, we prioritize resource efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship throughout our production cycle. This ongoing commitment echoes the values of leading companies in our sector—Plaskolite, for example, states that it is “committed to continuous improvements in sustainable environmental outcomes” as a steward for future generations. Like our peers, we are determined to enable “green engineering” solutions for the world and the communities where we operate.
Eco-Friendly Materials
We take great care in selecting and formulating the materials that go into our custom acrylic products. Whenever possible, we source acrylic sheets that contain recycled polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) content, thereby reducing the need for virgin petrochemical feedstocks. Some of our specialty acrylic offerings use post-industrial recycled acrylic, repurposing acrylic scrap from manufacturing back into new sheets. This approach not only diverts waste from landfills but also “closes the loop” in the production cycle by reusing material that would otherwise be discarded. We are also exploring the use of post-consumer recycled acrylic as it becomes available, which would allow recovered acrylic products (such as displays or signs at their end-of-life) to be transformed into new raw material. These initiatives align with emerging industry innovations; for instance, some manufacturers now produce acrylic entirely from recycled MMA monomer, recycling “more than 20 tons of scrap acrylic every month” into new material without compromising quality.
In addition to recycled content, we stay at the forefront of material science developments to identify bio-based acrylic alternatives. Research in the field has shown promise in producing MMA (the building block of acrylic) from renewable sources like plant-based feedstocks. We are monitoring these innovations closely and aim to integrate bio-based PMMA into our supply chain once it meets our strict quality standards. By partially substituting fossil-fuel-derived components with renewable ones, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our raw materials. Moreover, our acrylic products are chosen for their durability and light weight, which can indirectly improve sustainability in applications (for example, lightweight acrylic components in transportation improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions).
Equally important is ensuring that our materials are safe for both people and the environment. Our acrylic formulations and additives are vetted to be free of harmful substances such as BPA, phthalates, heavy metals, and halogens. In fact, we adhere to strict product stewardship guidelines: our colorants and dyes contain no heavy metals, and we avoid any plasticizers or chlorine-based additives in production. This commitment mirrors industry leaders – for example, one major acrylic producer has used only heavy-metal-free colorants in its products since the 1980s. By using RoHS-compliant and REACH-compliant materials, we ensure our acrylics do not release dangerous vapors (no formaldehyde or other toxic off-gassing) and are safe for use in sensitive environments (many of our clear acrylic sheets are even food-contact safe, meeting FDA standards). Additionally, our products are designed to be low-emitting; any adhesives, coatings, or paints we use are carefully selected to have minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We are aiming for certifications like UL GREENGUARD, which verifies that products have “minimal or zero volatile organic compounds” contributing to healthier indoor air quality. By using eco-friendly materials from the start, we create products that are not only high-performing and durable, but also healthier for end-users and the planet.
Recycling Practices
Our factory has implemented robust recycling practices to minimize waste at every stage of production. In our fabrication process, off-cuts and scrap acrylic from cutting, CNC routing, and trimming are never treated as trash – instead, they enter our recycling loop. We collect 100% of our acrylic sheet cut-offs and either regrind and remelt them in-house or send them to specialized facilities to be “reverse-polymerized” back into MMA monomer. This circular approach means waste acrylic is reintroduced as raw material for new products, dramatically reducing what goes to landfill. According to industry data, the energy required to recycle acrylic in this way is significantly lower than producing it from virgin inputs, leading to lower carbon emissions overall. Some advanced recycling methods (such as chemical depolymerization of PMMA) have been shown to cut carbon footprint by up to 70% compared to conventional production. We leverage such innovations to ensure that our manufacturing waste is not an endpoint but the beginning of another production cycle. For example, we partner with acrylic recycling programs similar to the “Recrylic” initiative, which provides a closed-loop lifecycle by making new acrylic from 100% recycled scrap and then collecting used products for recycling again. By embracing a circular economy mindset, we drastically reduce waste and conserve valuable resources.
Our commitment to recycling extends beyond our factory walls. We design our custom acrylic products with end-of-life in mind, following Design for Recyclability principles. This means we favor single-material constructions (avoiding unnecessary blends of acrylic with metals or other plastics) and use mechanical fastenings where possible instead of permanent glues, so that components can be easily separated and recycled. We also encourage our clients to return large acrylic installations or inquire about recycling options when products reach end-of-life. We gladly assist in facilitating take-back or directing customers to appropriate recycling facilities. Notably, acrylic is a thermoplastic that can be recycled when handled properly, even if local recycling infrastructure is sometimes limited. We provide guidance on how and where to recycle acrylic products, emphasizing that acrylic should not be simply discarded. In cases where recycling is not available, acrylic can be safely used for energy recovery (“waste-to-energy” incineration under controlled conditions yields only water and carbon dioxide, with no toxic fumes). However, our priority is always to keep the material in use through recycling or reuse. We also explore upcycling opportunities – for instance, smaller acrylic scraps are sometimes repurposed into secondary products like decorative pieces or acrylic chips for terrazzo-style materials.
Beyond product materials, we address sustainability in our packaging and day-to-day operations. All our shipping boxes and protective packaging are chosen with recyclability and recycled content in mind. We use corrugated cardboard packaging that is fully recyclable, and our corner protectors/angle boards are made from 100% recycled paperboard to safeguard products during transit. Our pallet liners contain at least 50% recycled fiber, and even the plastic strapping we use has recycled content. Whenever possible, we reuse pallets in a reverse logistics system: pallets that come into our facility with raw materials are saved and used again for outgoing shipments, or returned to suppliers, minimizing single-use waste. When pallets or packaging can no longer be reused, we work with local recyclers to ensure wood is turned into mulch or composite board and cardboard is properly recycled. Internally, we have instituted recycling bins and waste sorting for all employees, and we recycle office materials and manufacturing consumables (like lubricant oils or CNC coolant) in accordance with environmental regulations. By fostering a culture of recycling and providing the infrastructure to support it, we aim for zero waste to landfill from our production processes. This comprehensive recycling program not only reduces our environmental impact but also sets an example of responsibility in the acrylic fabrication industry.
Carbon Offset Initiatives
Tackling our carbon footprint is a core part of our sustainability strategy. We begin with aggressive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the source. In our manufacturing plant, we have invested in modern, energy-efficient machinery and process optimizations that lower electricity consumption. For example, our high-precision CNC cutters and laser engravers are equipped with smart controls to minimize idle running, and our HVAC systems are optimized to recirculate and retain heat, cutting down energy usage. We are also in the process of transitioning our facility to run on renewable energy. We have installed solar panels on the roof of our factory which generate a portion of our electricity needs, and we purchase additional renewable energy credits to cover a growing share of our power consumption. (One of our peer companies recently installed 3,300 solar panels to supply ~14% of a plant’s annual power—this is the kind of initiative we are undertaking as well.) By reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions through energy efficiency and green power, we lay the groundwork for genuine carbon footprint reduction in line with global climate goals.
We also address emissions in our supply chain and product delivery. Our raw material sourcing is optimized to reduce transport distances—where feasible, we partner with local or regional suppliers of acrylic sheets and other components, cutting down the emissions from long-haul shipping. Similarly, for delivering finished products to clients, we consolidate shipments and use logistics partners committed to fleet fuel efficiency. Whenever possible, we choose sea freight or rail over air freight to drastically lower transportation-related CO₂ per unit. Additionally, we design packaging to be compact and lightweight (leveraging acrylic’s light weight), which means more products per shipment and lower emissions per product transported. These measures follow the common sustainability advice of sourcing locally to minimize transportation impact, and we continuously look for innovative ways to green our logistics (such as exploring electric vehicles for local deliveries or optimized routing software).
Despite our best reduction efforts, some carbon emissions remain unavoidable in our operations. To take responsibility for these emissions, Custom Acrylic Product invests in high-quality carbon offset projects to neutralize our net impact. Each year we calculate our total carbon footprint (including direct operations and aspects of our supply chain) and purchase verified carbon credits equivalent to our emissions. We prioritize offsets from projects with proven additionality and co-benefits, such as reforestation programs, renewable energy installations, or community-based sustainability projects certified under standards like the Gold Standard or VCS (Verified Carbon Standard). By funding these projects, we help capture or prevent an amount of greenhouse gases equal to what we emit, effectively balancing out our carbon output. This practice aligns with sustainability recommendations to support companies that “offset their carbon footprint” in pursuit of environmental responsibility. Our goal is to achieve carbon-neutral operations and, in the long term, move toward net-zero carbon. We are developing a roadmap consistent with the Paris Agreement’s climate targets and intend to set science-based emissions reduction targets. (For example, the Science Based Targets initiative calls for ~5% annual emissions reduction to reach net-zero by 2050, a benchmark we take seriously in our planning.) Through a combination of direct emissions cuts and reputable offsets for the remainder, we are on track to formally neutralize our carbon footprint by 20XX. We will transparently report our progress on this journey in sustainability updates and seek third-party validation to ensure credibility. Ultimately, our carbon offset initiatives reflect our belief that growing a business and protecting the climate must go hand in hand.
Certifications & Compliance
To reinforce our commitments and ensure transparency, Custom Acrylic Product pursues internationally recognized sustainability certifications and complies with rigorous environmental standards
We are in the process of obtaining ISO 14001 certification for our manufacturing operations. ISO 14001 is the globally recognized standard for effective environmental management systems. Achieving this certification means we have a structured framework to continually identify, control, and reduce our environmental impact, from energy use to waste handling. Many leading plastics and acrylic manufacturers have earned ISO 14001 as a mark of their environmental responsibility – for instance, major acrylic production plants worldwide are ISO 14001 certified to meet strict environmental standards. By implementing ISO 14001, we commit to proactive environmental performance improvement, legal compliance, and a cycle of setting and reviewing environmental objectives. This formal system complements our existing ISO 9001 quality management certification (which ensures our processes meet high quality standards) and integrates sustainability into day-to-day decision-making. Customers and partners can have confidence that our environmental practices are audited and internationally benchmarked.
We are aligning our product development with the Cradle to Cradle principles and exploring certification for select product lines in the future. Cradle to Cradle is a holistic framework that assesses products across categories like material health, recyclability, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social fairness. Earning a Cradle to Cradle certification demonstrates that a product is designed and manufactured to be “safe, circular, and responsibly made”. While acrylic products have traditionally faced recyclability challenges, we are working to ensure our materials can be recovered and reused in a circular loop (as described in our Recycling Practices) and that any additives meet strict health criteria. By adhering to Cradle to Cradle principles, we aim to eliminate the concept of “waste” in our designs and use inputs that are either biodegradable or endlessly recyclable. Even before formal certification, we use the Cradle to Cradle philosophy as a guide—selecting safe materials, enabling product take-back, and powering our processes with renewable energy. Our long-term vision is to introduce an acrylic product line (or a manufacturing process) that could achieve at least a Bronze or Silver level Cradle to Cradle certification, demonstrating environmental and social excellence in the acrylic industry.
Many of our custom acrylic products are intended for indoor use (e.g., retail displays, furniture, signage in offices or healthcare settings). To ensure they contribute to healthy indoor environments, we design and produce these products to meet the criteria of UL GREENGUARD certification for low chemical emissions. The UL GREENGUARD program involves rigorous third-party testing of products in environmental chambers to measure VOC emissions. GREENGUARD Gold certification, in particular, certifies that a product has met even stricter standards suitable for sensitive spaces like schools and hospitals, testing for over 15,000 chemicals. We use VOC-free or ultra-low-VOC adhesives and inks in printing on our acrylic, and our acrylic itself is inert and does not off-gas once formed. By aiming for GREENGUARD standards, we ensure our products “have minimal or zero volatile organic compounds” that could harm indoor air quality. This is an important assurance for our clients who prioritize workplace health and safety. Even if a product is not officially certified yet, we build toward those emission standards as a matter of principle and we will seek certification on key product lines as we expand our testing program.
As we increase the use of recycled acrylic in our materials, we are also pursuing certifications that verify recycled content and responsible recycling processes. One such certification is the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), which provides third-party verification of recycled material content in a product and tracks it through the supply chain. Another is the Recycled Content Certification (for example, offered by SCS Global Services) which audits and certifies the percentage of pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content. A recent innovation in our industry saw the first recycled acrylic material achieve both GRS and a recycled content certification, affirming that the product was made entirely from scrap and met rigorous chain-of-custody requirements. Inspired by that benchmark, we intend to certify our own recycled acrylic usage. This will allow us to transparently label certain products with their exact recycled content (e.g., “Contains 50% post-industrial recycled acrylic, certified by GRS”), giving our customers confidence in the authenticity of our claims. These certifications also ensure that our recycling practices meet high environmental and social standards (for instance, handling of scrap, traceability, and no harmful additives in recycled material).
In addition to voluntary certifications, we strictly comply with all relevant environmental regulations in our operations, whether local, national, or international. Our facility in China adheres to the strict guidelines set by authorities for waste management, emissions, and chemical handling, and we maintain all required permits for environmental compliance. We follow the EU REACH regulation and RoHS directives for our materials, meaning our products do not contain restricted hazardous substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, or certain flame retardants. This compliance is documented and can be provided to clients upon request. Furthermore, we support green building standards: our acrylic products can contribute to building certifications like LEED or BREEAM when used in construction or interior build-outs, due to their low emissions and available recycled content. We also look to industry-specific programs – for instance, as a plastics manufacturer, we align with the principles of the Responsible Care® initiative (which many chemical and plastics companies follow to drive continual improvement in health, safety, and environmental performance). Finally, we continuously train our staff in sustainability and environmental risk management, and we audit our supply chain for compliance with our environmental and ethical standards. By upholding these certifications and compliance measures, Custom Acrylic Product not only meets the highest standards of sustainability, but also demonstrates accountability to our customers and stakeholders.
Industry Benchmarks in Sustainability
We believe in learning from and matching the best practices in our industry. Here are a few examples of sustainability messaging and initiatives from similar companies that serve as benchmarks for our own efforts
Plaskolite emphasizes its role in producing “sustainable products in a responsible manner for future generations.” The company highlights that its thermoplastic materials (including acrylic) are versatile, durable, and fully recyclable, with even the production scrap being reground and extruded into new products. Plaskolite also notes that its product packaging is recyclable and that it formulates products to meet global stewardship requirements. This messaging underlines a commitment to circularity and long-term thinking, which aligns closely with our philosophy. We take inspiration from Plaskolite’s approach by ensuring our acrylic off-cuts return to the production cycle and by using durable materials that outlast single-use plastics.
SIMONA, a global plastics company, publicly commits to rigorous sustainability targets. In 2024, SIMONA announced participation in the Science Based Targets initiative, pledging to cut its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by ~5.25% per year through 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. They also invested in on-site renewable energy (installing solar panels covering 14% of a facility’s power needs) and built an in-house recycling center to reprocess scrap plastic, illustrating concrete action on energy and waste. Furthermore, SIMONA achieved ISO 14001 certification across its operations to systematize environmental management. Their CEO’s message reinforces that “sustainability is at the core of everything we do,” backed up by real investments and certifications. This level of commitment is a benchmark we strive to meet. Similarly, Custom Acrylic Product has set its sights on carbon neutrality and ISO 14001, and we are improving our processes (and exploring renewable energy integration) to match the leadership shown by companies like SIMONA.
Recrylic is an innovative example in our specific niche of acrylic fabrication. It introduced the first widely available 100% recycled acrylic sheet in North America, demonstrating that acrylic can be made sustainably at scale. Recrylic’s messaging focuses on providing a “closed-loop lifecycle” for customers by both supplying recycled acrylic and offering to collect and recycle used acrylic products. The material performs identically to virgin acrylic but with a drastically lower environmental footprint – one case study showed that using Recrylic panels saved the equivalent of 448 barrels of oil and prevented 212 tons of CO₂, just in one project. Additionally, Recrylic obtained third-party validations like the Global Recycled Standard and a recycled content certification to prove its environmental claims. This kind of transparent, quantifiable impact sets a high bar for sustainability communication. We use Recrylic’s success as a benchmark to validate our own recycling efforts. It inspires us to pursue certified recycled material options and to offer data-driven evidence of the emissions and resource savings our products can achieve for clients.
By benchmarking against these industry leaders, Custom Acrylic Product ensures that our sustainability initiatives remain at the cutting edge of what is possible in acrylic manufacturing. We actively monitor our competitors and partners in the market for new ideas—be it advanced recycling techniques, energy-saving technologies, or impactful community programs—so that we can learn and improve. Our aim is not just to meet the industry standard, but to help elevate it. In doing so, we reinforce our commitment to being a responsible, forward-thinking acrylic products company that our customers can trust for both quality and sustainability.
Each of the examples above demonstrates that with innovation and dedication, the acrylic and plastics industry can move toward a greener future. At Custom Acrylic Product, we are proud to stand among these companies in driving that positive change, and we remain transparent about our journey so that our clients can be part of it. Our Sustainability page will be updated regularly as we achieve new milestones, certifications, and improvements, ensuring that we remain accountable and at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing.
