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Stainless Steel Coatings Recognized for Environmental Leadership

Contact: Karen Angelo, 978-430-6303, [email protected].

May 8, 2015, Lancaster, Mass. – The Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program and state administrators and legislators today presented Stainless Steel Coatings, Inc. of Lancaster, Mass. with an award in recognition of the company’s environmental leadership.

One of nine companies across Massachusetts being recognized as a “TURA 25th Anniversary Leader,” Stainless Steel Coatings has reduced the use of xylene by 57 percent and eliminated the use of hexavalent chromium. The company spent $12,000 to find safer chemicals, however, it is saving more than $15,000 per year in reduced waste disposal costs.

A manufacturer in Massachusetts since 1974 and an employer of 10 people, Stainless Steel has been collaborating with the state’s Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) since the early 2000s to find safer alternatives, reduce energy use and improve worker health and safety.

“I commend the collaborative efforts of Stainless Steel Coatings and the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance in working to ensure the reduction of harmful toxins while promoting the health and safety of their employees,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Being recognized as a TURA 25th Anniversary Leader is a fitting accolade for Stainless Steel Coatings, and I look forward to their continued business and environmental development.”

“Stainless Steel has proved that environmental improvements can go hand-in-hand with business success,” says Environmental Engineer Marina Gayl. “As a small business with big ideas, Stainless Steel deserves the TURA 25th award for its openness to experiment and make changes to improve their business, worker health and the environment.”

Stainless Steel Coatings flagship product, called STEEL-IT, is a rugged, industrial coating used for applications such as on structural steel, storage tanks, conveyors, packaging machinery, brake rotors and exhaust system components.

“Making environmental improvements, reducing toxics use and saving energy has saved us money, making us more competitive,” asserts Vice President Robert Audlee of Stainless Steel Coatings. “But something more subtle is that we stand out among our suppliers, customers and community. We keep our small facility clean, our factory is low impact, our people enjoy working here and it all pays off,” says Vice President Robert Audlee of Stainless Steel Coatings.

Stainless Steel Coatings business philosophy toward the environment extends to the neighborhood where they reside in the woods in Lancaster. Employees converted a portion of the property to a Certified Wildlife Habitat wildlife designated by the National Wildlife Foundation, providing a sanctuary for birds and a peaceful place for employees.

Read more in the Stainless Steel Coatings case study.

The awards and facility tours taking place from March through May showcase environmental accomplishments—reducing the use of toxic chemicals, reducing waste and conserving energy and water—since the Toxics Use Reduction Act was enacted into law by the Massachusetts legislature in 1989.

About the Toxics Use Reduction Act Program

The Toxics Use Reduction Act does not restrict chemical use but requires companies to evaluate toxic chemical use, submit usage reports to the state and assess the implications of reducing use by making process changes or switching to safer alternatives. Data show that Massachusetts companies continue to make progress in reducing toxic chemical use and waste: between 2000 and 2012, companies reduced use by 23 percent, waste by 42 percent and on-site releases by 73 percent.

Celebrating 25 Years
 Twenty-five years ago, the Massachusetts legislature passed landmark legislation—the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA). Today, the TURA Program is considered a model environmental policy by other states and countries. The three agencies below have provided training, grants, technical assistance and support to help companies reduce toxic chemical use and costs, improve health and safety and compete globally as more international regulations restrict the use of toxic substances.

  • Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Provides education, training, and grants for Massachusetts industry and communities; sponsors research and demonstration sites on safer materials and technologies; provides policy analysis; and manages the TURA Science Advisory Board.
  • Office of Technical Assistance & Technology (OTA). A non-regulatory agency within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs that provides free, confidential, on-site technical and compliance consultations to Massachusetts businesses and institutions.
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Certifies Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Planners, receives and reviews toxics use reports submitted by companies, provides guidance, takes enforcement actions, and collects chemical use data and makes it available to the public.
Stainless Steel Coatings Event Photos