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WHAT DOES PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP MEAN
FOR ALCAN?
As an advocate of Product Stewardship,
Alcan recognizes that it must take on new challenges
in regard to managing the risks and benefits of products.
Without this producer commitment, it is difficult to
make significant progress toward improved resource conservation
and a more sustainable economy.
At Alcan, Product Stewardship has been identified as one
of eight key areas of focus that are important for the
Company's long-term sustainability and, by extension,
profitability. Life Cycle Thinking is now necessary
to broaden relationships and further engage suppliers,
customers and other stakeholders. From the development
of special alloys to the innovative customer solutions
developed in the Engineered Products and Packaging groups,
the Company is committed to furthering this approach.
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| Aluminum Forest made with
Alucobond Silvermetalic in Houten, the
Netherlands, an outstanding architectural
masterpiece. |
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Since the evolution of the life cycle concept, Alcan has
been actively engaged in the development of standard practices
and methodologies for environmental life cycle assessments
and has partnered in this effort with associations such as
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
the European Aluminium Association, the International Aluminium
Institute, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
(SETAC).
In most cases, manufacturers, in cooperation with their customers,
have the greatest ability, and therefore the greatest responsibility,
to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and
promote the life cycle benefits inherent in those products.
Alcan accepts this challenge and recognizes that Product Stewardship
also represents a substantial business opportunity.
Product Stewardship is a business approach that moves environmental
and other sustainability actions from issues of compliance
to those of long-term stability and competitive advantage.
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