SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016
Waste To be able to engage in our core activities, we need to buy raw materials, non-durable goods, etc. All waste products are registered and sorted. Paper waste is collected for recycling. Other waste products are sorted and selectively collected.
Will the ‘cradle to cradle’ model - products developed on the principle that from the start to the end of use they remain safe and recyclable - become a realistic business model? Would not the circulation of raw materials become more and more of a closed circle, if it is used too systematically? Asking questions is a way of providing answers to the issue…
Currently, Graphius produces 18 types of waste matter, which for the most part remains effectively unsorted. One positive note is that 95% of all our waste gets recycled. Aluminum printing plates used during the printing process will, for instance, be picked up by a specialized company, and upon some re-processing, will be put again into circulation. All waste products are monitored and followed up as to the results. Detailed data are available, and at a request Graphius colleagues are available to address any inquiries.
CO2-footprint We had our CO2 footprint calculated by ClimatePartner, which uses a methodology based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, or GHG protocol. Our footprint in 2016 was 726,14 tonnes. One tonne of CO2 is the equivalent of a 200-cubic-metre balloon, or 125 cubic metres of Coke. Converting our total CO2 emissions into biomass would take 36,307 trees one year. A 2.3-megawatt wind turbine would have to operate for 1, 815.35 hours to offset them.
Carbon neutral printed matter packaged in organic foil? We have already stated in previous Sustainability Reports that Graphius would welcome the move to completely CO2 neutral production methods. It is in fact financially not feasible to compensate for all CO2 exhaust gases produced by the entire Graphius Group, without passing the costs to our customers. As an alternative, and already for years, we offer our customers a possibility to compensate for the CO2 exhaust produced, while executing their individual orders. It is stated clearly on all our invoicing. This year too, we remarked that this issue is not a priority for everyone. The CO2 exhaust footprint was compensated for executing a total of 19 orders. Added up, it comes up to a turnover of 332 euro.
Organic foil is technically a perfect alternative for the traditional wrapping materials used for packaging our mailing orders and magazines … It is organically recyclable, and is manufactured from starch. Organic wrapping materials can be burned together with the rest of the waste, and provide additional energy in return. We try to stimulate our customers, but up to now there has been little interest shown towards use of a product with the least impact on the environment. Healthy environment is of great importance for our future and that of our children, but the will to dare and the preparedness to think concepts through, and consequently choose for the most sustainable solution, are lacking.
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