At Geberit, environmental considerations are incorporated into all decision-making processes and activities. Measurement and control takes the form of the annual corporate eco-balance. This has resulted in the relative environmental impact (ecological efficiency) being improved by an average of 9% over the past three years.
Development environmental impact 2004-2007
Environment imapct
Practiced environmental management
Since 1992, a network of environmental delegates and responsibles has been practicing active environmental protection in all production plants. The central environment and sustainability department – which reports directly to the CEO - plays an important role in this respect and contributes towards making decision makers sensitive to these aspects. The pronounced environmental awareness results in constant improvements in ecological efficiency as well as minimizing costs and risks.
Since the beginning of 2007, Geberit is in possession of a combined Group quality and environment certificate as per ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. As of the end of 2006, eleven European production locations had obtained initial certification as per ISO 14001; the plants in the USA and China are to follow by the end of 2008.
Increasing energy efficiency in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Important measures within the scope of systematic energy management include increasing the efficiency of production facilities, the optimization of cooling plants through the use of natural ambient cold (free cooling), improved use of waste heat (heat recovery) as well as the careful use of compressed air. So far, renewable energies have been used mainly within the framework of the electricity mix bought in. The aim is to achieve a conscious expansion of their share in the future.
High requirements on suppliers
Procurement is based on proven economic guidelines. Since 2005, Geberit has introduced systematic risk management for suppliers that also assesses sustainability risks. This is imposed on all new suppliers and, periodically, on the 25 most important suppliers per product group. Cooperation or supply contracts include the binding integration of social and environmental aspects. In addition, a Code of Conduct especially for suppliers was issued in 2007.
|