This year, we looked for good, sustainable examples in our member companies and reported on them. At the end of the year, this last special for the month of December will focus more generally on possible levers for greater sustainability. On November 27, 2024, managers from various functional areas met to compile examples.
In response to several requests from our sustainability working group, the workshop on November 27, 2024 focused on collecting sustainable measures. It was not relevant whether these had already been implemented in the company or were planned for the future.
Using the “World Café” method, the participants walked through four stations, collecting and discussing the various measures and activities. Finally, the results were jointly reflected on in the four main topics of “People and culture”, “Production processes”, “Building management” and “Products”. People and culture
Sustainability is not a matter of course. Overall, every company is facing a transformation, a development towards greater sustainability – ultimately a process that will never be complete. It is therefore very important to align the culture of the company accordingly. Everyone involved must be sensitized to sustainability in its three dimensions ESG (environmental, social and governance). The corresponding management (culture) is also crucial here. For example, it is not enough to introduce a compliance system. It must be made known, understood and accepted.
Internal and external communication are good tools for making sustainable measures visible both within the company and to the outside world. This can increase employer attractiveness and possibly create a competitive advantage at various levels.
Numerous individual examples from our member companies include free e-car charging, job bike leasing offers, job tickets or the Germany ticket for local public transport, childcare support, ergonomic workplaces, appreciation from colleagues and managers, support for charitable projects regionally and globally, from donating computers to planting trees, healthy meals in the canteen or from selected catering providers and much more. Skills development and occupational health and safety are top priorities for employees. Gender equality, serious risk assessment and flexible working hours are all part of this, as are health-promoting measures in cooperation with health insurance companies or medical specialists. Production processes
Everyone agreed on one thing in this area: it’s all about reducing waste.
First and foremost, transparency is paramount: data must be recorded and evaluated. Intensive process analyses and value stream analyses can provide clarity.
Efficient resource management also pays off on this point. It may be possible to reduce compressed air in the process. The temperature of the ovens used must be checked and possibly lowered. What about the use of renewable energies such as photovoltaics? There are a variety of energy efficiency measures.
This also includes clarifying the possibilities of recycling in your own company in order to feed even more recyclable materials into the material cycle.
In the area of quality assurance, it is important to reduce waste, for example by using digital or AI applications to minimize human error.
Optimized intralogistics play a decisive role in newly planned halls.
Holistic inventory management optimizes the supply chain.
Ergonomic workstations are very important. Products
What are the general requirements for certain products? First and foremost: intensive study of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR). The European Union sees this as an important lever as part of the action plan for strengthening the circular economy.
The substitution of critical or hazardous raw materials and suitable substitutes can help to use substances of very high concern (SVHC). This can make products healthier and may reduce bureaucracy.
New designs should sustainably focus on all nine “R’s” of the circular economy: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Re-use, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover. Special qualifications can support designers here. Product design can develop more durable products and provide for less waste in the production process.
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) and software solutions for determining the product carbonfootprint(PCF) are technical innovations that promote sustainable products.
The strategic consideration of offering “product as a service” and integrating maintenance and repairs into one’s own business model can also contribute to circular economy processes. Building management
In this area, it is essential to assess the current state of energy consumption. Ideally, this can be done in real time. The aim should be to achieve balanced load management that avoids peaks.
Overall, all employees should be made aware of this.
Possible measures were collected according to the four categories “Eliminate”, “Reduce”, “Substitute” and “Compensate”.
For example, rooms that are no longer needed due to the increase in home office could be eliminated.
Water can often be reused in the cycle. Cleaning buildings with a lower proportion of chemical cleaning agents can also make sense. Automatic doors and airlocks keep the temperature in the building more constant. New LED lighting technology and motion detectors save electricity. An energy-efficient refurbishment of the building should be considered. Automation of building technology can also lead to savings.
In the category of substitution, the spreading of salt in winter was mentioned. Renewable energies and their storage are an important factor. Photovoltaic systems, geothermal energy, small wind turbines, biomass cogeneration plants or other decentralized solutions are conceivable. The expansion of window areas can also be part of this. Waste heat can often be utilized.
In terms of offsetting, the creation of green roofs and facades should be mentioned. This includes the greening of flower strips. Increasing biodiversity is desirable. The unsealing of surfaces should be considered. Among other things, water-permeable paving can be used here.
The purchase ofCO2 certificates is controversial.
Many compensation measures can also be used to improve the quality of life for employees in outdoor areas. Shady areas and small parks contribute to this.
When it comes to energy and building management, it can also be helpful to analyze and take advantage of networking opportunities in the neighborhood: Why not join forces with neighboring companies to act as a customer group with the energy provider or use buildings or waste heat from the neighboring company? Many of the measures collected have already been implemented in member companies. This shows once again how much the topic of sustainability has been taken up in depth and breadth. The morning was once again informative and inspiring and we are excited to see what else will be added next year.
