Europe - Two years ago, Shure announced aggressive goals to increase recyclable and/or renewable packaging for new products. The company has now revealed that it has achieved its goal to convert to 75% by 2023 and is on track to grow to 90% by 2025 and 100% by 2030 for new packaging. The goal for existing product packaging in 2025 is 75% recyclable and/or renewable.
As part of its continuous environmental improvement efforts, Shure is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. With more than 1,500 different packaging pieces for a variety of different products, converting to sustainable packaging is a significant undertaking, especially for high-performance electronic equipment which is shipped to various locations globally to reach customers all over the world.
Key sustainable packaging initiatives include: Replacing thermoform trays with more sustainable, recyclable alternatives such as moulded pulp; reducing overall plastic materials in packaging; reducing the amount of literature that accompanies the products, and right-sizing packaging for greater efficiency and reduced carbon footprint from shipping and storage.
Shure manufacturing plants feature robust recycling programmes for cardboard boxes and wooden pallets, keeping “tons” of cardboard waste and nearly 5,000 wooden pallets out of landfills. Shure works with suppliers who take action on sustainability, including suppliers who use solar power and recycled water in their operations.
In addition to packaging, Shure products themselves are designed with sustainability in mind. By 2027, more than 100m AA batteries will have been saved from landfills because of Shure rechargeable batteries, the company says. The number is based on data calculations from customers worldwide in music production, theatre, touring, education, business, government, houses of worship, and more.
Shure was the first company to offer intelligent lithium-ion batteries for wireless microphones when it was launched nearly a decade ago, and it has instantly transformed sound production into a much more environmentally friendly operation. More concert halls, arenas, theatres, meeting rooms, houses of worship, schools and others are rapidly adopting the rechargeable technology.
With previous technology, disposable batteries were used to power microphones and transmitter packs. Audio engineers would frequently replace batteries - even when those batteries still had power - to ensure an uninterrupted performance with fresh batteries. One Broadway show alone reportedly saved more than 21,000 AA batteries from being disposed of in landfills because they used Shure’s rechargeable system over the course of the run.
In the past five years, Shure estimates that it has eliminated nearly 30 million AA batteries from ending up in landfills.
The company has also engineered its products to help with overall power consumption, using less energy in “down” modes and allowing remote monitoring of power use with Wireless Workbench Software. Shure products are also engineered to last – from a durability and adaptive technology standpoint – avoiding costly replacements and unnecessary disposal of e-waste, even as technology evolves.
“Green isn’t just in our logo, it’s an important part of who we are,” says Chris Schyvinck, president and CEO at Shure. “We are committed to being environmentally responsible with our people, our products, our facilities, and our communities.”
A cross-functional Shure team regularly reviews international regulations, directives, and standards to ensure environmental compliance with regulations like RoHS, REACH, and WEEE. The nature of these regulations promotes sustainable electronics and electronics manufacturing.
