Environmental-friendly processes around the production of Unisto Security Seals

Environmental sustainable manufacturing

As an international manufacturer of security seals, Unisto has a responsibility to use environmentally friendly materials and processes to reduce the impact of its activities on the world.

For this reason, Unisto has been actively promoting the use of environmentally friendly materials and practices along our entire value chain for many years now. The primary goal of Unisto's commitment towards the environment is the efficient use of resources. Unisto therefore wants to make its contribution in line with the following claim: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.

Unisto not only tries to reduce its environmental impact by reducing the utilisation of plastics, but also by using recycled plastics.

By labelling the products with the Unisto green footprint logo, you can see at a glance which products meet Unisto's commitment towards the environment due to their properties or materials. All Unisto products with such a label meet one of the following criteria:

Reusable seals

Thanks to space-saving solutions, it is possible to secure even small containers with a reusable seal. By dispensing with disposable seals, large quantities of plastic can be saved every year. And therefore also plastic waste and CO2.

Seals made from recycled plastics

As an alternative to reusable seals, there is also the possibility to use seals made of recycled raw materials. The use of post-industrial recycled plastics actively contributes towards reducing the consumption of fossil raw materials. Post-industrial material refers to plastic that is obtained from production waste. By using this material, the accruing plastic waste can be returned to the production cycle and therefore used sensibly.

Seals made of bio-based plastics

Another possibility to reduce the consumption of non-renewable raw materials is the use of bio-based plastics. With bio-based plastics, plastic granulate is produced from renewable raw materials, which can be processed in the existing facilities. 

Seals made of unplasticised polyamide

One project that is particularly close to Unisto's heart are unplasticised polyamides. Plasticisers, also known as phthalates, can be hazardous to health in the event of prolonged contact. Therefore Unisto together with its own plastics supplier has developed a polyamide that meets all of the requirements without the need for plasticisers. Unisto is the first manufacturer of security seals to bring a solution to the market that works without plasticisers.

Cardboard boxes made from recycled material

Resources can be saved by using recycled cardboard for the production of our packaging. By disposing of the packaging correctly after use you make an active contribution towards the Unisto green footprint philosophy. 

Energy recuperation

With the energy recovery from the production plants Unisto covers 70% of the heating requirements.  Approximately 34,000 litres of the annual heating oil requirement are saved and thereby reducing Unistos CO2 emissions. 

Production waste and recycling 

Unisto adheres to the principle of "reduce and avoid waste". The waste that may nevertheless arise is disposed of or recycled properly, either inside or outside Unisto's facilities. Recyclable materials are recycled and further processed.  

Machines and production equipment 

Unisto focus is set on energy-saving operations. Energy consumption is kept to a minimum and the applicable emission standards are not exceeded.

Photovoltaic panels

During October 2022 the first construction phase of the Unisto solar plant was inaugurated. The photovoltaic system on the Unisto roof in Horn will have an output of around 460 kWp and thus cover a considerable part of the electricity consumption. Commissioning is scheduled to take place as early as December 2022. 

ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system 

ISO 14001 is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It requires that an organization considers all environmental issues relevant to its operations, such as air pollution, water and sewage issues, waste management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and resource use and efficiency. Unisto is ISO 14001:2015 certified and strives to improve its processes in respect of the environment.

  • We think and act in an environmentally conscious manner, resulting in environmentally compatible market services
  • We minimise waste of all kinds and recycle it outside and inside the company wherever possible
  • We encourage better environmental performance of our suppliers by demanding certificates of the properties of the materials supplied 

REACH regulation

Our security seals are produced in conformance with the chemical regulation REACH.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of chemicals) defines the procedures to ensure the safe use and distribution of chemical substances and products which contain them. We confirm that all raw materials used for the production of our security seals comply with REACH regulation and none of the materials used are substances of very high concern, as from the article 33 and 57 of Regulation 1907/2006/EC (ECHA Candidate List of substances of very high concern).  

EcoVadis

In order to create even more transparency with regard to sustainability, fair working conditions and human rights, we have had ourselves audited and certified by EcoVadis. EcoVadis is an internationally recognised and independent platform that audits companies in the area of "corporate social responsibility" (CSR). 

CO2 optimised by Swiss Climate

The Swiss Climate “CO2 OPTIMISED” certificate confirms that the company Unisto AG in Horn has prepared its greenhouse gas inventory in accordance with the ISO 14064-1 standard for the year 2021 and follows the guidelines of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. 

Unisto’s commitment to the respect of the environment 

We are keen on improving our products and processes, which drives us to continually seek for new solutions to preserve the environment with efficient manufacturing operations.
We are proud of our achievements and proud to providing you with high quality manufactured security seals, produced in respect of the environment.