We are proud to supply EPD data for our HIPS and PET materials, illustrating that our approach to sustainability is as transparent as our materials’ previous lives.
The proliferation of plastic waste
In today's rapidly evolving world, the imperative of sustainable practice has never been more urgent; with the increase in plastic waste standing out as a particularly pressing issue. Through embracing innovative approaches, fostering collaboration, and prioritising conscious consumption, we can forge a path towards a more environmentally conscious future, together.
A real-world problem with a real-world solution
Of the 400 million tonnes of plastic that the world produces every year, less than 10% is currently recycled. We are on a mission to change this.
By diverting pre- and post-consumer plastic waste from landfill and turning it into beautiful decorative panels for the architecture and Interior design industry, seeing our off-cuts as opportunities and following a zero-waste production model; at Smile Plastics, sustainability is what we're made of.
Introducing our EPDs for HIPS and PET materials
We are committed to delivering internationally recognised standards to you – our community that cares. And we couldn’t be more excited to share the Summary Report for our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), verifying a host of benefits for specifying our HIPS and PET materials in the road to bettering the built environment.
By securing our EPDs, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to providing impactful and quantifiable sustainable solutions for your commercial projects, from workplace to hospitality, co-living to BTR. Smile Plastics offers a variety of materials to meet your specific in-use requirements – we understand there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to polymers.
Measuring Environmental Performance
We are proud to share our publicly available EPD data for both PET and HIPS, which shows that our materials are one of the top performers in terms of their environmental impact across every measurable metric. Most notably:
• From raw material to factory gate, our panels use a fraction of the water consumed by manufacturers using primary (virgin) materials.
• Our exclusive focus on secondary materials means that production processes consume minimal natural resources and minerals.
• To ensure the health and wellbeing of people and the planet, all ‘at risk’ waste material is tested for Persistent Organic Pollutants, which enables us to confidently operate within REACH compliance. In addition, the matt factory finish of our products requires no sanding or polishing, which greatly reduces the potential for microplastics pollution at factory level.
Quality Management Systems & Resources
Our UK manufacturing site is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, upholding internationally recognised standards for quality and environmental management. We are dedicated to consistently delivering high-quality products while prioritising sustainability and minimising our environmental impact through our zero-waste model. Our dedicated quality assurance personnel work with suppliers to ensure total quality and continuous improvement of our operations, instilling confidence in the reliability and sustainability of our materials and services.
Not only do we reuse the offcuts generated by production, but you can also send back your offcuts or end-of-life panels to be reworked into new panels. A full-circle industrial ecosystem.
Buy Back Scheme
We follow a zero-waste production model, seeing our off-cuts as opportunities. We reuse all pieces generated by production and offer our customers the possibility to reclaim the material. If you decide you no longer have use for your Smile Plastics materials, you can choose to recycle them through the normal recycling channels.
Alternatively, we can also take back your offcuts, plus any end-of-life recycled plastic boards. We re-work them into new decorative panels, closing the loop and ensuring the plastics can brighten someone else’s day in the future. A full-circle industrial ecosystem.
