A Sustainable Manufacturing Ethos Drives FORREST
The City of Eugene Selected FORREST as a Finalist for the Bold Steps in Sustainability Award to be announced January 4th, 2023.
FORREST helped establish Oregon's post-consumer paint recycling program (PaintCare), engages in on-site waste reduction and recycling efforts, and recycles over 814,000 pounds of material every year into a product that makes rail maintenance safer and cleaner.
Eugene, Oregon - How does an industrial paint company become a leader in environmental responsibility?
"When we started the company in 1973, our goal was to be a good place to work, to be environmentally friendly, and to make a little money, too." said Scott Forrest, Founder of FORREST Technical Coatings.
Scott Forrest (Founder) and Mark Forrest (CEO) describe FORREST's Bold Steps in the video below.
FORREST'S BOLDEST STEPS IN SUSTAINABILITY:
Sustainable Manufacturing Practices
"Sustainability isn't just good for the environment, it's just good business," says CEO Mark Forrest. FORREST invests in equipment to minimize manufacturing impacts on the environment. Most recently, a chiller installed in 2017 reduced yearly water usage by over 1 million gallons. A custom-engineered, biologically-based air filter installed in 2008 eliminates up to 90 percent of factory emissions from solvents, which has been our biggest investment in reducing our environmental impact.
Leaders In Establishing Oregon's PaintCare Program
FORREST's paint recycling program was the first and only in the Pacific Northwest in 1996, but only FORREST brand paint could be accepted for recycling. Scott Forrest led the Oregon paint industry's efforts to pass statewide legislation to establish Oregon's PaintCare program. The pilot program was the first in the United States and empowered the paint industry to collect and recycle all post-consumer paint. The Oregon PaintCare program now has 179 drop-off sites and has recycled over 8.4 million gallons into commercially available MetroPaint. The program has been replicated in 10 other states and collectively the programs have recycled 60 million gallons of paint to date.
Environmentally-Friendly and Worker Safe FireSnake Rail Heater
FireSnake revolutionized railroad track pull-apart repair by providing a safe and environmentally friendly product for rail heating. FireSnake is made from used isopropyl alcohol and fibers sourced regionally from the western United States. Last year, FORREST recycled over 814,000 pounds of fibers and isopropyl alcohol to produce a product that has replaced the practice of burning diesel-soaked ropes to heat railroad tracks. It is a non-toxic and worker-safe product. See firesnake in use here.
The Only Powder Coating Manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest
To advance the responsible paint technology available to our OEM customers, FORREST has invested heavily in powder coating manufacturing and R&D capabilities. FORREST is the only powder producer with a factory in the Pacific Northwest. Powder coatings are an alternative to solvent-based paint with the advantage of being 0-VOC and allowing for full reclaim. They help industrial manufacturers greatly reduce their environmental impact and health risks due to painting. FORREST specializes in difficult to manufacture high temperature powder coatings and acrylic technologies. FORREST high temperature powder coatings give OEM manufacturers of high temperature equipment a solvent-free option.
About FORREST Technical Coatings
FORREST specializes in custom and specialty coatings and products with a strength in high temperature paint in liquid, powder coating, and aerosols. FORREST serves international specialty markets in high temperature including specialties in hearth and barbeque paint, muffler paint, exhaust paint, and general high temperature industrial paint. FORREST also produces and commercializes specialty adhesives, paints for OEM and general industrial use, ESD coatings, and other technical coatings with specific applications. Read more about FORREST here.
