Obtaining ISO 14001 certification as a basis for implementing an environmental management system
In an industrial context where sustainability is no longer an option but a requirement, plastics processing companies like Plásticos Lezo face a double challenge: demonstrating a true environmental commitment and offering guarantees to their customers and stakeholders. Far from remaining promises, in 2023 we took a decisive step by obtaining ISO 14001 certification, an international standard that endorses the implementation of a robust, measurable, and continuously improving environmental management system.
This milestone is not a one-off. It is part of a strategic journey we have embarked on, with the goal of making sustainability a differentiating and cross-cutting value across all areas of the company.
What is ISO 14001 and why is it important?
The ISO 14001:2015 standard establishes the requirements for implementing an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). Its purpose is to help organizations identify, prioritize, and manage the environmental risks and impacts associated with their activities, products, and services.
Its benefits include:
- Reduction of waste and emissions.
- Improved legal and regulatory compliance.
- Optimization of resource consumption.
- Increased operational efficiency.
- Improved corporate reputation and customer trust.
In the case of Plásticos Lezo, obtaining ISO 14001 certification has validated before third parties an already internal commitment: to produce responsibly and reduce our ecological footprint without compromising quality or service agility.
A starting point, not a finishing point
ISO 14001 certification marked a turning point. It allowed us to systematize and professionalize our environmental policies, integrating them into our daily operations. But above all, it was the starting point for a more ambitious plan.
The strategic value of sustainability in our industry
As a technical polymer processing company, we are fully aware of the challenge of discussing sustainability in a sector with high public exposure. But precisely for this reason, we have decided to make respect for the environment a core part of our value proposition.
We believe there is no contradiction between industry and sustainability. There are choices. And at Plásticos Lezo, we are committed to:
- More efficient designs that reduce raw material use and improve recycling.
- Selection of lower-impact resins and collaborations with certified suppliers.
- Internal reuse of castings and utilization of recovered material whenever feasible.
- Ongoing staff training in good environmental practices.
- And above all, a long-term vision that allows us to anticipate future regulations and lead change from within.
Concrete benefits of implementing ISO 14001 at Plásticos Lezo
With ISO 14001 implemented, these are some of the tangible benefits we have identified:
- Reduced costs associated with waste and energy consumption.
- Reduced legal risk and improved document traceability.
- Greater trust from industrial clients, especially in regulated sectors.
- Greater team engagement thanks to the formalization of shared goals.
- Easier access to new markets that require environmental compliance.
One step closer to a more responsible plastics industry
Industrial sustainability isn’t built with a single milestone, but rather with a constant process of improvement. Obtaining ISO 14001 is part of that process. But beyond the certification, what defines us is our willingness to rethink every stage of the production cycle from an environmental perspective.
Our commitment goes beyond compliance. At Plásticos Lezo, we seek to contribute to a cleaner, more conscious plastics industry that is more aligned with the demands of a changing global environment.
Plastic production, but with purpose
ISO 14001 doesn’t change the nature of our business, but it does transform the way we operate. It allows us to talk about sustainability with actions, not intentions. It also strengthens the trust of customers, employees, and partners who are looking for more than just a supplier: a responsible partner.
At Plásticos Lezo, we believe that sustainability is not a label, but a way of working. And with each new action, certification, or improvement, we consolidate a vision: to demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture plastics with responsible and future-proof criteria.
