Vanheede Environment Group - Sustainability report 2016 2017

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016-2017

non-consolidated turnover

permanent staff members

556

1,850

tonnes of treated waste every year

KEY FIGURES

Vanheede Environment Group

green energy produced every year

recycling and valorisation

124,712 KEUR

798,800 TONNES

41.5 MILLION kWh

= covering the needs of almost 12,000 households = more than 3 times our own consumption

waste flows

49 YEARS

89.10%

tonnes of new fuels every year

448,843 TON

3 CONTENT

A circular business model

5

Fuel for the future

6

Vanheede Environment Group

8

Dialogue with our stakeholders Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

10 13

Closing of material cycles

16

Innovative solutions within the circular economy

20

It is important to be a good neighbour

26

Net producer of affordable and sustainable energy

28

Our contribution to the improved soil and land quality

30

Care and respect for every staff member

32

Reporting process and figures

39

Financial results

40

Process to determine the contents of the sustainability report

44

GRI content index

46

A circular business model

Fuel for the future

“Innovation takes entrepreneurship to bring new knowledge and technologies to the market. And it is this entrepreneurship that is in our blood.�

DAVID VANHEEDE, CEO VANHEEDE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

The shift to a circular economy is still at an early stage. But we are getting there, even if there is still a long way to go.

By means of innovative separation and treatment techniques Vanheede already recovers a lot of high-quality materials and energy from your waste flows. We use our many years of experience, material knowledge and knowhow to optimize existing treatment processes and installations, but also to develop new, sustainable economic activities within our region, together with other companies, in order to close even more material cycles.

As a Belgian family group the long term is the central thread through all our decisions.

Innovation takes entrepreneurship to bring new knowledge and technologies to the market.

And it is this entrepreneurship that is in our blood. Furthermore, being a shareholder, we are

7

DIETER GRIMMELPREZ, COO VANHEEDE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

actively operating within the company on a daily basis. We keep both feet in practice and continuously strive to get stronger in terms of workforce, decision-making and organization.

The foundations and structures for the future have been established by now.

But our growing insights keep pushing us further ahead. Changing circumstances and newly acquired knowledge encourage us to make adjustments and to close even more cycles, preserving the value of products and materials as much as possible. Our most important raw material is our grey matter, our brain. And the energy of our staff members who feel the desire to go for change. That is our fuel for the future: the raw material and fuel that allows Vanheede to keep growing and prospering also in the years to come.

FUEL FOR THE FUTURE

“Our most important raw material is our grey matter, our brain.

And the energy of our staff members who feel the desire to go for change. That is our fuel for the future.�

Vanheede Environment Group

AMSTERDAM

LONDON

ANTWERP BRUGES (OOSTKAMP) GENK

ROESELARE (RUMBEKE) BRUSSELS

WERVIK (GELUWE) DOTTIGNIES (DOTTENIJS) LILLE (MARQUETTE-LEZ-LILLE)

WANZE (VINALMONT) LENS (BILLY-BERCLAU)

MONS (QUÉVY)

HEADQUARTERS SORTING CENTRE SORTING AND FINAL TREATMENT

Vanheede Environment Group is one of the leading companies in the Benelux countries and northern France in the field of waste management. Using the motto managing your waste we are pleased to help our customers in Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and England find the best destination for their waste. We not only collect their waste, but also sort and treat it in our own treatment centres.

ARLON (MESSANCY) LUXEMBOURG (RODANGE)

PARIS

9

Strategy “The passion of our staff members constitutes the energy for our company.”

In order to present creative entrepreneurship and the necessary flexibility we have divided our group into 4 business units. →→ Logistics Collecting and sorting waste. →→ Services Collecting and sorting hazardous and special waste. →→ Renewable Energy Waste becomes energy. →→ Raw Materials Waste becomes raw material.

Think global, act local

Vision By means of innovations shaping the past for the future.

Mission Vanheede Environment Group intends to be a sustainable company offering its customers the most efficient solutions in waste, material, green energy and environmental management.

To this effect we use a high-quality, professional and innovating approach providing a surplus value for all interested parties. For us sustainable entrepreneurship means that with a minimum impact on the environment we obtain the best possible results for all our stakeholders. These include our Board of Directors, customers, employees, neighbours, authorities, banks and insurances, contractors, suppliers, media etc.

Every sector has its specific waste flows, each with its unique characteristics, approach and volumes. Furthermore every waste flow has its own optimal treatment method and every region has its typical habits and regulations. Therefore waste management is very characteristic for each and every company. Hence, a personalized approach is the key to a sustainable and equitable waste management. That is why our company consciously opts for a global approach with regional anchorage. In addition, we opt for specialists with a strongly developed expertise per niche market. These specialists can rapidly identify with your living environment and thus create the basis for a successful cooperation.

Furthermore they collaborate very closely with our local representatives and can offer specific solutions for your specific problems.

In short, we try to provide the best possible service to every customer, ranging from a small enterprise to a multinational, from Luxembourg to the coast, from a bakery’s shop to a garage up to a hospital.

People People are important to us and this includes: customers, employees, authorities, local residents … so all stakeholders. Their benefit, well-being, health and safety constitute a priority concern for Vanheede Environment Group.

Planet We respect the environment by minimizing the impact of our activities on nature, fauna and flora. By converting waste into raw material or into renewable energy we make sure more and more material cycles are getting closed and no energy is wasted.

Profit Vanheede Environment Group shows its social responsibility towards the stakeholders by developing into a profitable company, collaborating as much as possible in the form of partnerships and in a very transparent manner with its customers.

Pride An open, honest and sincere relationship makes sure we can continue to have contact afterwards and work out a win-win situation for all parties involved. By communicating with each other in a transparent way, we will get better results and create more simplicity in the complex world.

Passion By striving for a personal contact with our stakeholders and stimulating this emphatic relationship between all the parties involved, we confer more responsibility on all our employees. This results in a higher level of commitment and a strong involvement.

VANHEEDE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Values

In dialogue with our stakeholders We actively search for dialogue with our stakeholders through this sustainability report, an annual overview of the realizations in our striving for maximizing our added value for society. But also through specific communications to our stakeholders.

11

myVanheede

Our new website - www.vanheede.com is entirely visitor-oriented. We examined who are our visitors and which information they are looking for. After that, we set up a simple and clear structure to present all our information (and that is quite a bit). We have opted for a fresh look with large pictures, catchy titles and ready-to-use information.

myVanheede is a personal and secured online page (more information on www.vanheede. com) to consult, evaluate and report on your personal waste management.

The major improvements: →→ Quotation application tool on the basis of ERP data →→ Improved contact information page →→ Renewed job page with convenient filters →→ Blog with news and convenient topic filters →→ More than 250 pictures illustrate our activities →→ Adapted version for tablets and smartphones →→ Now already in Dutch and French, soon also in English

The purpose of myVanheede is to improve the total customer experience, to enhance loyalty and to let the customer call the shots.

Furthermore, a customer appealing to Vanheede for all of its waste flows will always be in full compliance with the legislation, regardless of the region or country where it is established.

Up until today about 1000 people are using myVanheede. By the end of 2017 this number must have gone up to 10,000.

Your online waste file: →→ Clear company structure for companies with several establishments →→ Management of contacts →→ Management of myVanheede users →→ An overview of all projects →→ Collection calendar with scheduled tasks and call form →→ Reporting in graphics or lists, the waste register →→ Consulting documents such as invoices, credit notes and certificates (e.g. VLAREMA) →→ Product shop with consumables such as bags, bigbags, bins …

IN DIALOGUE WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS

New website

Centexbel is visiting the Rumbeke site On Thursday night 9 December 2016 Vanheede was honoured to organize the general member’s meeting of VKC-Centexbel (Vlaams Textiel en Kunststoffen Centrum) in Rumbeke. More than 100 visitors, including a lot of major Vanheede customers, were given a guided tour around the site, with flashlights. A very special experience!

At the end of the very successful night a Christmas reception was organized

by VKC-Centexbel. Underneath the Christmas tree they had deposited a very nice present – a cheque worth € 500 to the benefit of vzw Stortkinderen.

Vanheede is collaborating very closely with VKCCentexbel for examining innovative recycling possibilities. We hope this collaboration will help us to get insights in the recycling of plastics from bulky household refuse (URBANREC - European H2020 project) or the production of composite granulates from wood fibres and recycled plastics (RECOVER - R&D project VLAIO, Flemish Authorities). Also within the framework of the take-back obligation for mattresses we are participating in research on the best possible methods to set up the mattress cycle (INNOMAT - MIP project, Flemish Authorities).

Info sheet Specific communication tool for the local residents, collaborators, local and other authorities at the Rumbeke site. On buren@vanheede.com and using the free telephone number 0800 99 399 our stakeholders can address their questions or suggestions.

Contact Our half-yearly newsletter from, for and by our collaborators.

Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals as a source of inspiration

There are still a lot of challenges and opportunities ahead of Vanheede. In order to get more insight into this we have decided, in addition to the international GRI reference framework for sustainability reporting (www.globalreporting.org), also to examine how we can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These new sustainable development goals were approved on 25 September 2015 by 193 heads of state and heads of government at a special United Nations summit in New York.

They cover a whole series of sustainability topics, such as climate change, biodiversity, public health, education and poverty reduction, and will determine the worldwide sustainability agenda over the next 15 years. For the first time companies, NGOs, public authorities as well as all other actors in society are addressed to collaborate in order to achieve the 17 goals. In consultation with the members of the special CSR think tank it was decided that Vanheede can contribute most to the realization of the following SDGs.

SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production

SDG 9 - Sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities

SDG 7 - Affordable and sustainable energy

"The collaboration with Vanheede is very good and is built on mutual respect, for more than 5 years already. Regular collections are executed smoothly. Urgent, extra collections are handled rapidly. And also other questions are addressed rapidly. But Vanheede is definitely going further than its competitors.

Vanheede ensures a high-quality recycling of our organic waste. Through the biomethanation process our organic waste is generating green energy for more than 1000 households."

We are continuously innovating as a response to the various challenges in the world of waste.

By means of continuous process and product innovation we try to realize a shift in the way of thinking of how to handle waste and develop into a circular economy. Together with our stakeholders we try to adapt existing structures and processes. That is the power of innovation.

We are concerned about the living conditions of our neighbours, we limit the inconveniences and respect their aspirations and grievances. We invest in sustainable transport and other sustainable infrastructure. Our Antwerp site becomes a Flemish "Recycling Hub" for multimodal transport as water, railway and road transport can be used on this site.

"Based on the 'Smart Energy City' vision we want to develop an energy network that allows a maximum integration of renewable energy sources and that is affordable at the same time. Roeselare is characterized by a unique combination of factors constituting the foundation of the future energy market: a growing heat network, innovative family businesses, active civil society sectors, major freezer companies (energy storage), CHP units, horticulture, industrial residual heat, biogas plants, renewable energy production (solar panels, wind

BART DESLÉ, HEAD OF LOGISTICS LIDL BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG

15 OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

SDG 14 & 15 - Living in water and on land turbines), etc. Nowadays Vanheede is already exchanging residual heat. Together we want to investigate more possibilities for production and exchange of renewable energy. We would like to see activities from various actors in the city region integrated horizontally into regional energy networks: to use the consolidated capacity of roofs as solar power plants, to exchange residual heat and electricity and electricity production into a regional energy network, to organize energy production on the basis of demand, etc. Why

Vanheede is the ideal partner for collaboration?

Vanheede adopts a future-oriented vision. Not only with respect to their core business, i.e. the management of material and raw material flows, but also regarding local social challenges. The dynamics and flexibility of this family business constitute a strength in the development of this new innovative energy network."

TIMO WYFFELS, EXPERT ON CLIMATE, ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY CITY OF ROESELARE

People need the earth to survive. Agriculture not only constitutes an important economic resource, but also an instrument for development.

Water sources, and the way they are handled, have an impact on health, food production, hygiene and the functioning of ecosystems.

At our Quévy site composting, digestion and water purification installations are joining forces to improve the soil and water quality.

SDG 3 - Good health and well-being "Vanheede is close to the people and practice.

Well-being at work is an important concern within the scope of a ‘practicable working environment’. Personal protection, risk analysis and prevention of industrial accidents, clear and understandable instruction sheets. All tools are available at Vanheede. The challenge remains how to handle them. Communication is extremely important to make sure that safety and health get the necessary attention at the various sites and hierarchical layers."

KRISTINE PONNET, OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN PROVIKMO / PREVENTION ADVISOR

Closing material cycles “Vanheede anticipates on changes in legislation and is focused on improving the quality of valorisation.�

KOEN VANDENBROUCKE, QESH MANAGER

We are producing and consuming without sufficiently taking into consideration the impact on the planet’s natural resources.

Therefore the current consumption and production method must be questioned. The European Waste Framework Directive 2008/98 is intended to protect the environment and human health by means of waste prevention and reduction of the negative consequences of waste management. It also wants to contribute to the transition towards a circular economy, where the production of waste is prevented and waste streams are used as raw materials. By recycling waste and converting them into new raw materials we definitely make a contribution.

Maximum recovery of raw materials Waste can be valorised at our own treatment sites or at external processing units. The highest quality form of processing is always preferred.

At the treatment companies about a quarter of the waste is eliminated, mainly waste residues supplied by external processing units to our landfill site, Vanheede Landfill Solutions.

Just the extra touch, that is what keeps us going Vanheede goes far beyond waste logistics. We have developed a vast material knowledge and our expertise in recycling processes is widely solicited on an international level. Hence, we gladly provide this knowledge to our customers, in order to optimize both the production process and the logistics. The R&D centre was established to gather and further elaborate the years of experience, material knowledge and knowhow that Vanheede Environment Group has developed as an integrated environmental company. This way we not only intend to guarantee continuity and optimize the existing treatment processes and installations, but also would like to create the opportunity to initialize new projects. These include projects within the group and with and for customers and external partners.

As far as foodstuff producers and the distribution sector is concerned, maximum attention goes to prevention of food waste or re-use for human (food banks) and animal (Feed Chain Alliance) consumption. Where possible logistics operations are avoided by processing (e.g. water purification instead of digestion) or unpacking the waste on site. By using bulk transport or bio boxes in our logistics operations as much as possible. By using 100% of the transport capacity. Or by centralizing the waste streams as return cargoes from the points of sale and collecting them at the central distribution centre.

After unpacking the food waste is transformed into energy, organic material, nitrogen and the packaging is transformed into high-quality alternative fuels.

So all the waste streams are being valorised.

17 CLOSING MATERIAL CYCLES

RECYCLING

PACKAGING WASTE

HEAT

HIGH-CALORIFIC WASTE

SANITIZATION GAS ENGINES

FOOD WASTE

UNPACKING

CAT.-MATERIAL

MIXING DIGESTION LIQUID FOOD WASTE

BART DESLÉ, HEAD OF LOGISTICS LIDL BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG

SLUDGE

DIGESTATE (DIGESTED MANURE)

CORN, LAWN, ...

“At Lidl waste is avoided as much as possible. Residual waste is limited to a minimum.

Vanheede ensures a high-quality recycling of our organic waste.

Through the process of biomethanation our organic waste is generating green energy for more than 1000 households.”

DOSAGE

ELECTRICITY

EVOLUTION TREATMENT METHOD

BY THE LOGISTICS COMPANIES (IN %) elimination valorisation 1001,0 900,9 800,8 700,7 600,6 500,5 400,4 300,3

TREATMENT METHOD

BY THE LOGISTICS COMPANIES IN 2016

200,2 100,1 00,0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

EVOLUTION TREATMENT METHOD

BY THE TREATMENT COMPANIES (IN %) elimination valorisation

elimination

10,90 % valorisation

89,10 %

1001,0 900,9

Waste can be valorised in our own treatment sites or at external processing units.

The highest quality form of processing is always preferred.

800,8 700,7 600,6 500,5

At the treatment companies about a quarter of the waste is eliminated, mainly waste residues supplied by external processing units to our landfill site, Vanheede Landfill Solutions.

400,4 300,3 200,2 100,1 00,0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

19

other pre-treatment composting recycling sorting landfilling

3.97% 2.24% 38.07% 10.82% 9.66%

incineration with energy recovery 25.69% incineration without energy recovery 1.25% co-processing 2.38% digestion 5.93%

NATURE AND PROCESSING BY THE TREATMENT COMPANIES IN 2016 composting recycling landfilling co-processing digestion thermal treatment (drying)

9.94% 11.87% 26.57% 22.84% 28.24% 0.53%

CLOSING MATERIAL CYCLES

NATURE AND PROCESSING BY THE LOGISTICS COMPANIES IN 2016

Innovative solutions within the circular economy

By means of innovations shaping the past for the future. In accordance with our vision, we re-think the current material streams and help to construct a circular economy. We are continuously innovating as a response to the various challenges facing the world of waste. As a matter of fact, if we want to control climate change, we must evolve towards a low-carbon and circular economy, where raw materials do not have to be mined over and over again, but can stay in the economy as long as possible.

Technology and mankind must join forces. Vanheede has the technology, knowledge and expertise to transform waste streams into materials that can be reused as raw materials.

SRF: Both fuel and raw material for the cement and lime industry Vanheede Alternative Fuels produces Solid Recovered Fuels (SRF) on the basis of residual fractions such as non-recyclable textiles and plastics. Waste with high energy content are thus converted into environmentally friendly fuels and raw materials for the cement and lime industry. What makes this production process so special is that the fuels are produced according to the customer’s requirements, both in terms of physical (particle size, weight etc.) and chemical characteristics (ash residue, calorific value etc.).

By using these fuels in the production process of the cement and lime industry, waste is valorised at 100%. On the hand, there is the energy recovery because of the heat that is released during incineration, but the residue ashes after incineration constitute a pure raw material for cement or lime. So SRF is valorised in two ways: →→ 20% raw material valorisation: partial replacement of the basic components (lime and clay) →→ 80% energy recovery: replacement of the fossil fuels (petroleum coke, carbon, heavy fuel oil) In the new waste hierarchy (WBCSD) this form of valorisation is classified as co-processing.

Co-processing offers a number of substantial benefits and therefore is preferred to ordinary incineration or thermal plants: →→ Environmentally friendly alternative for the incinerator (Source: The new waste hierarchy, WBCSD cement sustainability initiative) →→ Waste and fossil fuels contain a certain amount of energy (expressed in megajoules or MJ). In the case of cement kilns, incinerating 1 MJ of SRF is as efficient as incinerating 1 MJ of fossil fuel. →→ Usually the incineration of waste generates ashes. In cement production these ashes are incorporated in the end product and therefore replace part of the raw materials that otherwise need to be added during the production process. The residue ashes from the incinerator are only used in low-quality applications or in some cases are transported to the landfill. →→ Lower CO₂ impact →→ Lower cost price →→ Locally produced fuel so less dependent on imports

21

Beneficial use of material and energy

REUSE

RECYCLING: 100% MATERIAL RECYCLE 100% MATERIAL RECOVERY

CO-PROCESSING

WASTE TO ENERGY Waste disposal

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WITHIN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

PREVENTION/REDUCTION

INCINERATION

LANDFILLING

100% ENERGY RECOVERY

“Solid Recovered Fuels are fuels based on waste. As in part they also contain raw materials, they are complementary to other forms of reuse and so constitute a sustainable closing of the material cycle.”

TOM DEFEYTER, VANHEEDE ALTERNATIVE FUELS

NON-RECYCLABLE TEXTILES AND PLASTICS

PELLETS (SRF)

VANHEEDE ALTERNATIVE FUELS

LIME AND CEMENT KILN

FUEL

ASHES (MINERALS)

CLINKER

CEMENT

GRINDING

23

20 %

= lime and clay incorporated into clinker = basis for 20,000 tonnes of cement = production of 150,000 tonnes of concrete

energy valorisation

80 %

= 80,000 tonnes @ 23 MJ/kg = energy consumption of 40,827 households

100,000 TONNES OF SRF

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WITHIN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

raw material valorisation

P+MD: potential for extension of the collection system of household plastic waste The recycling of household plastic packaging waste still has quite a growth potential. The European Union aims at a recycling objective of 55% for plastic packages by 2020. At this moment the

objective is fixed at 22.5%. With 211,000 tonnes of collected plastics, 38.4% of which is recycled, Belgium is clearly ahead of schedule. Of the above volume bottles and flacons represent 86,000 tonnes, more than three quarters (76.6%) of which is recycled. In 2015 the Belgian inter-municipal waste associations collected 14,300 tonnes of residual plastic packages at container parks or in pink garbage bags. The above waste stream mainly consisted of mixed plastics (59%), plastic foils (19%) and EPS (styrofoam, 11%).

projects were initiated in six Belgian municipalities, i.e. Aalter, Frameries, Waregem, Hannut, Wervik and Marchin, under the control of Fost Plus but with Vanheede as the driving force. The results vary a lot from one region to another (5.4 kg extra in Waregem, 1.7 kg in Wervik and 5.2 kg in Aalter, in Wallonia similar results were observed varying from 1.5 kg to 5.5 kg). This has to do with the three different collection methods. In Wervik and Marchin for example no foil packages are collected.

The P+MC project uses a purple bag instead of the blue one. In this bag also other plastic packages than bottles and flacons are accepted. In this purple bag, apart from hard plastic packages such as butter tubs, yoghurt pots, plastic pots and trays, sometimes also foils and bags are allowed. Early 2016 various P+MC

At the Rumbeke site Vanheede has a fully automatic sorting line operational for waste such as PMC waste with an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes. Within 1.5 seconds Vanheede can sort the waste from one blue PMC bag. In terms of machinery quite a lot of adjustments are required

for sorting a wide variety of plastic waste, as intended by the P+MC project. Especially the plastic foils are quite a challenge. Nevertheless the scenario where these foils are to be deposited in the blue bag is also preferred by Vanheede.

Here are the most important advantages: →→ Transparent and simple sorting rules for the citizens result in less contamination in the waste stream →→ Recycling possibilities of the highest quality (circular plastics) →→ The same number of logistics movements as in the current PMC collection system

"On average in 2016, in the light of the trial projects, 35 additional tonnes of packaging materials were collected. This corresponds with 3.6 kg of additional plastic waste per inhabitant or an increase of 25% compared to the PMC volume collected in 2015."

COLLECTION OF PLASTIC WASTE

Europe 2020

55.00%

Europe 2016

22.50%

Belgium 2016

38.40%

JOHAN GOOSSENS, DIRECTOR FINANCE & COMMUNICATION, FOST PLUS

25

Bulky waste is an important residual waste stream that ends up in household waste incinerators or landfills most of the time. Even in Belgium, having adopted a strong sorting policy and

rigorously applying the ‘polluter pays’ principle, the average citizen still produces 30 kg of bulky waste on an annual basis (representing almost one fifth of the volume of residual waste). However, sorting analyses have shown that there still is room for improvement by means of prevention and a more selective collection, but also by means of new sorting and recycling techniques or logistics solutions. URBANREC pursues an integral approach exploring all of these possibilities. The project focuses on the main streams in bulky waste: wood, mattresses (in the form of PU foam), mixed textiles and mixed plastics. Within this project Vanheede takes the lead to purify the plastics stream into circular plastics and examines the possibilities to convert plastics that are hard to recycle into composite materials.

The European research project of URBANREC (“New approaches for the valorisation of URBAN bulky waste into high added value RECycled products”) falls within the framework of the EU subsidy programme of HORIZON 2020 (subsidy agreement no. 690103). As from June 2016 a collaboration has been established between 21 partners (public authorities, companies, NGOs and research centres) from Germany, France, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and Belgium to work out integral and innovative solutions for handling bulky waste. The project will come to an end in November 2019 and has a budget of ten million euro. The project is supervised by AIMPLAS, the Spanish Technological Institute for Plastics.

Apart from OVAM also the West Flanders inter-municipal waste association IMOG, the environmental company Vanheede Environment Group, the Technical and Scientific Centre for Belgian Textile Industry Centexbel, textile company Procotex and ACR+ are participating in the project. The strong contribution of Flemish-Belgian expertise in the project emphasizes our leading position in international waste and material management and the good cooperation between (local) authorities, knowledge institutions and companies. More information is available on urbanrec.aimplas.es.

EMPTYING AND CLEANING AFTER USE

A circular bio box Preparing meals in company kitchens, industrial kitchens or restaurants generates waste. (Packed) food residues are collected and treated separately at our own digestion installation in Quévy, where also green energy is generated.

The packaging is transformed into pellets at our own Dottignies site. But did you know that also our recipients are a nice example of circular economy in practice?

DAMAGE?

VANHEEDE BIO BOX

THE GRINDED MATERIAL IS USED AS RAW MATERIAL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NEW BIO BOXES

REPAIR SERVICE

NOT REPAIRABLE? →→ shredding →→ removing metals →→ washing →→ drying →→ grinding

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WITHIN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

URBANREC elaborates innovative solutions for handling bulky waste

It is important to be a good neighbour Antwerp Recycling Global Hub allows multi- CO₂-reduction modal transport At the moment an application has been submitted to the Antwerp Provincial Executive for an extension of the environmental permit for the existing Antwerp site. When adding the two acquired parcels the future site will measure about 5.5 ha. The first new activity that will be performed on the new parcels is the storage and transhipment of hazardous waste and the supply and evacuation of waste and material streams, where possible through water transport. The former Tybalt premises that were incorporated into the environmental unit of the Antwerp site is located at the 4th Harbour Dock in Antwerp, allowing ships to moor directly at the Antwerp site. This site would be considered a Flemish "Recycling Hub" in the province of Antwerp as at this site transport can be performed by water, railway and road. The new environmental permit was delivered on 2 March 2017.

We ensure the living conditions or our neighbors, limit the nuisance and take into account their merits and grievances. We invest in sustainable transport and other sustainable infrastructure.

And in the purity of the air.

The primary sources of CO₂ are the transport activities within and outside the site. A better arrangement of the workplace avoids any unnecessary movements. Adaptations to the baler in Dottignies result in an extension of the transport volume per truck and thus less trucks on the road.

About 80% of our vehicle fleet has a low CO₂ emission level and exceeds the Euro 4 standard.

The consumption of our 270 trucks is monitored on a monthly basis per type of truck and per driver.

This way unnecessarily high consumption levels are detected and remedied. In addition efforts are being made to make transports as efficient as possible: by means of the best transport routes, combined transports, use of light trucks, reverse logistics or by optimizing the quantity of waste per vehicle, ... No empty transports is our motto.

Emission reduction Three times a week Jan Dujardin performs his smell tour around our landfill Rumbeke. Following the rearrangement of the site the tour was slightly adjusted and now also includes the waste sorting hall and the recipient washing area. In consultation with our neighbours a series of measures were advised that will be implemented in 2017- 2018: new residual waste shed, transfer of food waste inside, development of another recipient to transfer food waste into; bio filter on suction, etc.

27 IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR

COMPOSITION OF VEHICLE FLEET ACCORDING TO EMISSION STANDARD 2016-2017

EEV

2% Euro 6

31 %

Euro 3

21 %

Euro 4

6% Euro 5

40 %

Net producer of affordable and sustainable energy Energy is the highest contributor to climate change, as it is responsible for about 60% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

Therefore, to reduce the CO₂ emissions of energy is one of the main objectives to control climate changes in the long run and to preserve our health and quality of life. That is why we need to increase the share of renewable energy and to double energy efficiency at the same time.

In 2016 we generated almost 41,500 MWh of electricity and heat. This corresponds with the energy consumption of almost

12,000 HOUSEHOLDS = more than 4 million litres of petrol = 320 million cans of Red Bull

The activities of Vanheede have an impact on two greenhouse gases, i.e. carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄). The impact of CH₄ as a greenhouse gas is 25 times the impact of CO₂. Therefore capturing CH₄ at the landfill of Vanheede Landfill Solutions (Rumbeke) and at the digestion plant of Vanheede Biomass Solutions (Quévy) has two environmental benefits: →→ In the biogas engines methane is converted into sustainable electricity →→ During this process CH₄ is converted into CO₂ and water, so that the environmental impact is reduced by factor 25 In 2016 incineration was mainly performed on the most recent CHP engines, with a higher efficiency. The residual heat that is released during the production of electricity from biogas is already valorised now by Dewulf Group, a leading company within the segment of agricultural machinery. Thanks to cogeneration with Vanheede Landfill Solutions the residual heat is valorised at the Dewulf paint shop.

“Why for us Vanheede is the ideal partner for a “Smart Energy City”?

Vanheede adopts a future-oriented vision. Not only with respect to their core business, i.e. the management of material and raw material flows, but also regarding local social challenges. The dynamics and flexibility of this company constitute a strength in the development of this new innovative energy network.”

TIMO WYFFELS, EXPERT ON CLIMATE, ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY CITY OF ROESELARE

Because biogas and thus green electricity production from the landfill is decreasing (decrease in organic material), we are currently examining new possibilities. One of these possibilities is the processing of roadside grass cuttings, through digestion (biogas) and then composting.

In addition Quévy also manages its own wind turbine and 2,070 m2 of solar panels are installed on the roofs in Quévy (1,065) and Geluwe (170). These 1,260 solar panels represent a total capacity of 289 kWp. Only 1/3 of this green energy is consumed by Vanheede as such, especially for the production processes, Vanheede Alternative Fuels and Vanheede Biomass Solutions being the primary consumers. Thanks to this net energy production we are an interesting partner in the energy network.

Vanheede partner in a stable electricity network The whole of Europe, including Belgium, is facing an unbalance in electricity demand and offer at peak moments. This is a source of concern for the network operators, regulators and authorities.

Vanheede contributes to the stability of the electricity network by making our electricity production flexible and responding to possible shortages at consumption peaks by sending electricity. But we still want to do more than just supply electricity on the mains network. At first instance locally (within the industrial area, in cooperation with neighbouring companies), and later on also regionally (e.g. for anticipating peaks in cold stores) or by participating in major energy clusters (e.g. ‘Smart Energy City’, city of Roeselare).

29

biomass

21,057,212 kWh landfill gas

4,426,412 kWh wind energy

4,613,202 kWh solar energy

247,923 kWh We produce three times more renewable energy than we consume.

EVOLUTION OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION (IN kWh) biomass landfill gas wind energy solar energy

EVOLUTION OF GREEN ELECTRICITY CERTIFICATES

35.000.000 35000

80.00080

30.000.000 30000

70.00070

50.000.000 50000

40.000.000 40000

60.00060

25.000.000 25000

50.00050

20.000.000 20000

EVOLUTION OF ENERGY PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION (IN kWh) heat production electricity production electricity consumption

30.000.000 30000

40.00040 15.000.000 15000 10.000.000 10000

20.00020

5.000.000 5000 00

20.000.000 20000

30.00030

10.000.000 10000

10.00010

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

00

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

00

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

NET PRODUCER OF AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION IN 2016

Our contribution to an improved soil and land quality People need the earth to survive.

About 18% of our foodstuffs is vegetable and agriculture is not only an important economic resource, but also an instrument for development.

Also water sources, and the way they are handled, have an impact on society and economy, especially in the field of health, food production, hygiene and the functioning of ecosystems. At our Quévy site composting, digestion and water purification installations are joining forces to improve the soil and water quality.

Development of a vision on efficient water use Our vision note on water contains some measures to optimize the use of water and waste water: →→ Reuse of rainwater. Where possible replace tap water with rainwater →→ Reuse of purified waste water as process water (washing installations, to prevent dust pollution, …) through our own water purification plant

→→ Preventing waste water at the source.

Disconnecting the parking area for vehicles and storage areas for empty containers, covering up landfill cells with foil more rapidly, provide roofing ... →→ Collect washing water to purify later on at our own or an external water purification plant.

Extra water counters for tap water, rainwater and waste water streams allow an improved monitoring of the consumption and handling of any leaks, if necessary.

Nevertheless we observe an increase in water consumption in 2016. This is due to a leak at the end of February 2016 in Rumbeke in a mains water pipe that was no longer in use.

The use and reuse of rainwater, measured as from 2013, results in a decrease in tap water consumption. The sites in Antwerp, Rumbeke and Geluwe mainly operate on rainwater with respect to toilet flushing.

At Rumbeke the vast majority of our wheeled containers and recipients are cleaned at the highly advanced washing area operating on rainwater.

The latter operates in a closed system with external processing of the waste water produced by the company.

31

consumption tap water

9,174 M3

10,0

7,5

consumption rainwater

6,499 M3 5,488 M3

7,109 M3

4,501 M3

5,0

2,687 M3 2,5

3,135M3

2,515 M3 1,796 M3

0,0

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

OUR CONTRIBUTION TO AN IMPROVED SOIL AND LAND QUALITY

EVOLUTION CONSUMPTION OF TAP WATER VS. RAINWATER

Care and respect for every staff member

33

In 2016 we welcomed quite a lot of new colleagues at Vanheede. And also the HR department was renewed. A change involving new opportunities. The HR department develops into a strong central service. The HR staff members get more autonomy and responsibility in the day-to-day operational matters, so that more time can be spent on the long-term strategy and vision.

Your confidential counsellor

Social elections 2016

A nice future as driver with Vanheede

On 12 May 2016 social elections were organized.

It was agreed that elections would be organized for one Works Council (WC) and one Committee on Prevention and Protection at Work (CPPW), at the Belgian level. At first instance the WC is a consultation platform between employer and employees. Here a number of matters are discussed relating to the functioning of the company. The CPPW is mainly concerned with safety and prevention on the work floor. The various companies of the Vanheede Environment Group constitute one technical business unit (TBU). This way all employees have the chance to choose their employee’s representative.

Truck drivers are hard to find. So filling 20 vacancies is quite a challenge. Vanheede has launched a specific advertising campaign for drivers in various regions. In combination with our participation in the VDAB speed date on 14 February 2017, we have managed to recruit 5 new colleagues so far. On 6 May 2017 also Randstad organized a TRANSPORT job café, combined with a breakfast and guided tour at Vanheede and its vehicle fleet.

From now on 4 confidential counsellors (2 per national language) will be available for colleagues that may be confronted with undesirable behaviour. Psychosocial problems constitute a heavy burden on the employees’ health and the company.

These confidential counsellors operate very discretely, must observe professional secrecy and are to be impartial.

WIM CANNAERT, HR MANAGER

classification per region

classification per age group

classification per language

classification per gender

full-time | part-time

workers | drivers | employees

58% 7% < 30

30 - 45

> 45

12%

34% 1%

NL 54%

OTHER 4% 129

48%

40%

FR 42%

80%

20%

235 521 35 192

CARE AND RESPECT FOR EVERY STAFF MEMBER

A facelift for HR

“Vanheede distinguishes itself by its personal approach.

We are close to the people and practice.

Ethics and trust constitute the basis for a strong human resource management.

Therefore these values are highly appreciated.

We give confidence, but also deserve the confidence from our collaborators through proper recruiting and correct administration.”

Waste Collector Week: CEO becomes garbage man Interafval, the cooperative partnership of the Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten (VVSG), all Flemish inter-municipal waste associations and other local administrations responsible for local waste management, declared the week from 21 up to and including 25 November Waste Collector Week. In this five-day period people were asked to pay more attention to the work performed by the waste collectors.

Also Vanheede decided to encourage its more than 200 drivers, in a very original and special way. As a matter of fact, on Wednesday 23 November CEO David Vanheede hit the road as a garbage man, just like he used to join his late father, Herwig Vanheede. By joining in as a waste collector David wanted to experience in person the challenges that our drivers are facing. But above all, he wants to show his respect and appreciation towards his collaborators and also hopes to sensitize the customers of Vanheede for the important job the waste collectors do. On social media we addressed more than 30,000 people with this initiative!

In Wallonia a similar initiative will follow in 2017, where COPIDEC (ConfĂŠrence Permanente des IC des Gestion des DĂŠchets Wallonnes) together with Go4Circle, the federation of circular economy businesses, will set up an awareness campaign.

Vanheede On Tour: on the road with the Vanheede family April 2016, it is not so hot yet but that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop us. We drop off our party container and fill the refrigerator with drinks. The original grass benches are installed and we are ready to hit the road! The first Vanheede On Tour is on the road. That month we repeated this scenario another eight times.

Together with the Vanheede family we visited every site and offered as many employees as possible a meal and (NA) drink.

35

JÉRÔME TOUBEAU, QUÉVY

“It is not often that we get together with colleagues. This is however an opportunity to exchange ideas, which will always result into something positive. But Vanheede on tour was also the opportunity to get to know the management in another environment. In short, a nice moment of togetherness and a wonderful initiative!”

JACKY RUBINI, QUÉVY

“The perfect way to fill the gap between workers and employees.”

ANGIE VERBEECK, RUMBEKE

“Nice lunch break. Great moment of exchange, togetherness, listening to one another and having fun, colleagues and drivers all together. We should do this more often.”

LAURIE NETO, BILLY-BERCLAU

CARE AND RESPECT FOR EVERY STAFF MEMBER

“It was a nice moment, a moment of real togetherness.

One of these moments where the ties with colleagues are strenghtened. The food truck is an original concept. The refreshing meals were a great success.

Certainly worth repeating!”

FREQUENCY LEVEL IN 2016 (FL)

Working in a safe and healthy environment is a matter of common interest Safety, in all of its aspects, is extremely important in daily routine. Safety performances are objectively measured on the basis of the frequency level (number of industrial accidents involving at least 1 day of absence from work per one million working hours) and the degree of severity (number of days of absence from work per one thousand working hours). So for both factors, the rule is: the lower the better. We remained ambitious in 2016 and, just like last year, have lowered the maximum limit for the frequency level within the CPPW, i.e. from 50 to 45. And also the limit value for the degree of severity was lowered. The maximum limit for the degree of severity for 2016 is 0.8, where it still was 0.85 in 2015.

The working methods and working conditions are critically analysed in order to detect the hazards and to assess the risk of these hazards. These risks are then reduced by taking preventative measures. But despite our permanent attention for the safety of our collaborators unfortunately our efforts in 2016 were not translated into a further decrease of the accident figures. Much to our regret we observed some serious accidents with absence from work, including a number of road accidents. The causes were thoroughly analysed and the following actions were taken: →→ Toolbox on “travelling in reverse with a waste press truck” for all press truck drivers and passengers in Wanze and on “opening and closing the container doors”.

frequency level

45.5

→→ Linking high-visibility clothing to the circulation plan. Clear guidelines were established for wearing circulation clothing in particular areas (no high-visibility clothing, everybody high-visibility clothing, only accessible for authorized personnel).

limit

45

→→ Purchase of extra suits with respiratory protection. Following a positive test at the Rumbeke site 4 extra protective suits were purchased, so that the user is better protected when handling hazardous waste streams. →→ Fire risk analysis. This risk analysis is part of the fire prevention file and contains various measures (accurate allocation of tasks, signalisation, etc.) and investments (such as protective equipment).

Implementation is scheduled in 2017. →→ Safety training for hierarchical line. During the training the tasks and responsibilities in terms of safety of the various parties (employer, hierarchical line, employees and the committee) were explained.

The presentation for this training was drawn up in close consultation between QESH (our Quality, Environment, Safety & Health department) and Allianz (our industrial accident insurer). References were made to actual situations within our company so that it all became highly recognizable for the participants.

FREQUENCY LEVEL (FL) frequency level limit 70,0070 60,0060 50,0050 40,0040 30,0030 20,0020 10,0010 00

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

37

degree of severity

0.93

limit

0.80

DEGREE OF SEVERITY (DS) degree of severity limit

“A frequency level of 45 means 4 industrial accidents for each employee over a career of 40 years. A degree of severity of 0.8 means 1.2 days of incapacity for work per full-time employee per year. Severity is a factor you cannot control. It is a matter of being lucky or unlucky. Therefore, prevention is better than cure at all times.”

The preventative measures to be taken are incorporated into our safety plans, the Global Prevention Plan and the Annual Action Plan respectively. These documents constitute the basis of our dynamic risk management system. 5 topics were treated in 2015, i.e. 1 topic per site. The site managers are jointly responsible for the execution of the measures.

The monitoring is performed at the CPPW.

JOKE CLAEYS, PREVENTION ENGINEER ALLIANZ

“Involvement in the right place gives more strength.”

KOEN VANDENBROUCKE, QESH MANAGER

For 2017-2018 the following issues are already scheduled:

1,801,8 1,601,6

→→ Enhancing prevention of alcohol and drug use →→ Extension of traumatic support of victims and colleagues in case of a severe accident (in 2016 applied for the first time).

1,401,4 1,201,2 1,001,0 0,800,8 0,600,6 0,400,4 0,200,2 00,0

With regard to the sector benchmark there is still room for a lot of improvement. Our frequency level is far above the average of 2015 (21.97 in 2015 - NACE2- code 38). Also the severity of the accidents is higher than the sector average (0.64 in 2015 - NACE2-code 38).

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

“Communication is extremely important to make sure that safety and health get the necessary attention at the various sites and hierarchical layers.”

KRISTINE PONNET, OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN PROVIKMO / PREVENTION ADVISOR

CARE AND RESPECT FOR EVERY STAFF MEMBER

DEGREE OF SEVERITY IN 2016 (DS)

Reporting process and figures

Key figures 2016

NON-CONSOLIDATED TURNOVER (IN KEUR)

The annual accounts 2016 (01/01/2016 -31/12/2016) of Vanheede Environment Group nv and its subsidiaries, as well as the consolidated annual accounts, can be consulted free of charge with the Central Balance Sheet Office of the National Bank of Belgium. We will give you a brief overview in this sustainability report.

124.712 KEUR

The non-consolidated turnover over the year 2016 has increased by 7.50% compared to last year; i.e. from K€ 115,982 to K€ 124,712. Our non-consolidated turnover can be broken down per activity as follows: →→ Logistics (logistics activities with the exception of special waste) →→ Services (logistics activities with respect to special waste, interventions and projects) →→ Renewable Energy (renewable energy; secondary fuels) →→ Raw Materials (secondary raw materials)

115.982 KEUR 105.672 KEUR

110.024 KEUR

105.399 KEUR

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

41

The consolidated balance sheet over the year 2016 was closed with a balance sheet total of K€ 109,299.

On the assets side the book value of the tangible and intangible fixed assets has slightly increased.

Investments over the financial year amount to K€ 12,177; a decrease by 6.75% compared to last year. With respect to the accounting policies there are no modifications compared to last year.

Under the amounts falling due within one year the trade receivables have decreased as per 31/12/2016. Last year there was an increased invoicing activity during the final months of the year, unlike this year where a normal invoicing volume was observed towards the end of the year.

The available liquid assets have increased to K€ 9,060.

The liquidity level is at 1.31, which is sufficient to fulfil all our obligations within the short term.

Thanks to the positive result of the financial year the own capital has increased. The provisions for risks and charges have increased, especially as a result of the established provision (on an annual basis) for the after-care of our landfill site. In terms of debt, the long-term and short-term financial debts together, have slightly decreased. There has been a small increase in commercial debts.

The solvency ratio of Vanheede Environment Group remains high: 48.64% for year 2016 compared to 49.29% for year 2015; we hereby take into account the addition of the subordinated longterm ‘DACAR’ loan (M€ 32.00) to the own capital (Dacar: family holding of the Vanheede family).

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE-SHEET (IN KEUR) ASSETS

2016

2015

LIABILITIES

2016

2015

intangible fixed assets

9,971

10,893

capital

3,350

3,350

tangible fixed assets

53,670

52,385

consolidated reserves

17,812

16,000

financial fixed assets

900

891

OWN CAPITAL

21,162

19,350

64,541

64,169

third-party interests

0

0

0

0

THIRD-PARTY INTERESTS

0

0

2,425

2,076

4,409

3,813

32,467

33,607

63

97

9,060

7,675

4,472

3,910

806

749

debts falling due after more than one year

51,776

52,222

CURRENT ASSETS

44,758

44,107

debts falling due within one year

31,597

32,608

TOTAL OF ASSETS

109,299

108,276

292

186

83,665

85,016

109,299

108,276

FIXED ASSETS amounts falling due after more than one year stocks amounts falling due within one year liquid assets accruals and deferred income

provisions for risks and charges deferred taxes PROVISIONS, DEFERRED TAXES

accruals and deferred income DEBTS TOTAL OF LIABILITIES

REPORTING PROCESS AND FIGURES

Balance sheet

Profit and loss account CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (IN KEUR)

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (IN KEUR) 2016

2015

110,170

102,489

3

362

877

1,209

111,050

104,060

purchases and subcontracts

40,598

34,817

services and diverse goods

26,776

25,965

remunerations and social expenses

26,721

25,567

amortisations

10,538

10,197

652

568

other operating expenses

1,677

1,295

amortisations of consolidation differences

1,056

1,056

108,018

99,465

3,032

4,595

FINANCIAL INCOME

421

633

FINANCIAL EXPENSES

964

1,107

2,489

4,121

119

422

3

236

2,605

4,307

34

35

TAXES

1,364

683

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT/LOSS

1,275

3,659

turnover changes in stocks / produced fixed assets other operating income OPERATING INCOME

depreciations and provisions

OPERATING EXPENSES OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)

PROFIT/LOSS FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES EXCEPTIONAL INCOME EXCEPTIONAL EXPENSES PROFIT/LOSS OVER THE FINANCIAL YEAR BEFORE TAXES WITHDRAWALS

turnover EBITDA net result own capital subordinated 'DACAR' loan corrected own capital balance sheet total solvency ratio liquidity ratio The consolidated profit and loss account closes with a consolidated profit of K€ 1.275 as per 31/12/2016.

The consolidated turnover has increased by ± 7.50% to K€ 110,170. The ‘purchases and subcontracts’ however have increased by 16.60%, especially because of an increase in the items of ‘transport subcontracts’ and ‘processing costs’.

The gross margin has increased in absolute figures by about M€ 1.90 (= + 2.80% compared to year 2015), but has decreased in relation to the turnover by about 2.87% (from 66.02% for year 2015 to 63.15% for year 2016).

The ‘goods and diverse services’ (code 61) and the ‘own wage costs’ (code 62) have increased, but less than the increase in turnover in percentages.

2016 110,170 15,278 1,275 21,162 32,000 53,162 109,299 48.64% 1.31

2015 102,489 16,416 3,659 19,350 34,023 53,373 108,276 49.29% 1.27

The exceptional result over the financial year remains limited and has far less impact on the final result than the exceptional result of the previous financial year.

The EBITDA of Vanheede Environment Group has decreased both in absolute figures and in percentages in relation to the turnover: K€ 15,278 – 13.87% (2016) compared to K€ 16,416 – 16.02% (2015). This decrease must be somewhat qualified as the EBITDA over the year 2015 was positively influenced by then recorded ‘produced fixed assets’ and a high amount of received damage compensations.

Taking into account the above observation, the EBIT follows the same trend and has decreased from 4.20% (2015) to 2.36% (2016).

The annual amortisation of the consolidation goodwill (at 5%) is separately mentioned in the consolidation under item ‘amortisation of consolidation differences’ and amounts to K€ 1,056.

Taxes have increased, but this is mainly due to additional tax assessments in one entity, covering several financial years, for an amount of K€ 700.

The amortisations of tangible and intangible fixed assets and the recorded depreciations and provisions have slightly increased.

The consolidated result after taxes for the year 2016 amounts to a profit of K€ 1,275 (compared to the year 2015: consolidated profit of K€ 3,659).

43

TURNOVER evolution of the turnover (in KEUR)

20.00020

EBITDA evolution of the EBITDA (in % of the consolidated turnover)

120.000 120000

1717

17,672

16.27% 16.02%

110,170 110.000 110000 15.00015

1616

15.63%

13,058 100.000 100000

1515

102,489

12,177

14.90%

96,554

10.00010 90.000 90000

9,723

92,321

1414

92,731

13.87%

7,545 5.000 5

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

EBIT evolution of the EBIT (in % of the consolidated turnover) 55

4.48%

4.48%

80.000 80000

2012

2014

2015

2016

AMORTISATIONS evolution of the amortisations (in KEUR)

excluding amortisations of consolidation goodwill 11.00011

10,430

44

33

2013

1313

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

OPERATIONAL CASH FLOW evolution of the operational cash flow (in KEUR) 16.000 16000

15,480

10,538 10,319

10,197

14,345

14.000 14000

13,522

10.00010

2.70%

9,890

2.75%

12,510

12.000 12000

22

11,568 1.38% 11

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

9.000 9

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

10.000 10000

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

REPORTING PROCESS AND FIGURES

INVESTMENTS evolution of the investments (in KEUR)

Scope and approach of this report

Vanheede Environment Group is an integrated environmental company specialized in waste management and innovative environmental technologies. Apart from international waste logistics operations the group has its own processing sites. A large part of the waste streams is converted into raw material or used to produce energy. Being a family group, Vanheede acknowledges the importance of annual reporting on its sustainability performances. Previous versions of the sustainability report can be consulted on www.vanheede.com.

This 12th sustainability report contains all activities of Vanheede Environment Group nv, in Belgium and in France. We report on the results of the operating year 2016 and make use of the GRI standards, option Core.

CEO David Vanheede is a permanent member of the Board of Directors (Vamastine bvba), where also Caroline Vanheede (Vanica bvba), Commercial Manager and Claudette Descamps (Imdaca nv), director, are permanent members. They get assistance from the advisory committee, consisting of two external specialists, Mr. Arnold Deceuninck and Mr. Karel Gielen, and one internal specialist, Mrs. Evelyne Vanheede-Decrans.

45

1. An internal brainstorming on the key questions: →→ What is the added value of Vanheede? Where does Vanheede make the difference for its own business, its employees, society, the environment and its customers? →→ For which (social) trends/challenges Vanheede seeks to provide a solution?

This resulted in a longlist of relevant topics, which was measured against the CSR sectoral passport for waste processing companies, drawn up by our professional federation Go4Circle and some sustainability reports from peers in Belgium and abroad.

2. In a second phase it was determined which challenges also constitute ‘material’ aspects.

local residents suppliers

EMPLOYEES

PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

These are aspects that are important for the long-term strategy of Vanheede and at the same time respond to the (reasonable) expectations of our stakeholders.

banks

partners insurance

CUSTOMERS

media

In order to understand who our stakeholders are, which interests they represent, how much impact they have on our operation and to which extent they support our organizational goals, we have determined their relevance (stakeholder mapping) taking into account the following criteria: →→ What is the impact/influence of the stakeholder on Vanheede? →→ What is the stakeholder’s interest for Vanheede?

Stakeholders in the dark yellow circles (high extent of power and interest) are of priority importance to Vanheede. For determining and realizing our ambitions their expectations and interests are guidelines. With respect to the stakeholders in the light yellow circles, we wish to respond to their expectations by keeping them well-informed or satisfied.

At first instance we mainly searched the answers on the stakeholders’ interests with a number of internal stakeholders: some employees and executives shared their insights and challenges for the future.

3. In 2015 we have extended this exercise with a number of external stakeholders.

Within the special CSR think tank we have decided not only to use the international GRI reference framework for sustainability reporting but also to examine in which way we can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fresh views of the think tank members on entrepreneurship and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead of us, really have given us a wider perspective. This sustainability report puts into practice our engagements on the 6 most relevant SDGs for Vanheede: →→ Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) →→ Sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9) →→ Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) →→ Affordable and sustainable energy (SDG 7) →→ Living in water and on land (SDG 14+15) →→ Good health and well-being (SDG 3)

4. Finally, in 2016-2017, we switched from the GRI G4 guidelines to the GRI standards in terms of reporting standard.

REPORTING PROCESS AND FIGURES

Stakeholder and company interests in balance

The process for determining the strategic focal points for a sustainable future comprised 3 phases:

GRI-index GRI-STANDARD

REFERENCE

GRI-STANDARD

REFERENCE

GRI 102 GENERAL DISCLOSURES

5. Stakeholder engagement

1. Organizational profile

102-40

List of relevant stakeholder groups engaged by the organization

45

102-41

Percentage of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement

33

102-42

Basis for identifying and selecting stakeholders with whom to engage

45

102-43

Approach to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group

10-11

102-44

Most important feedback from stakeholders and how the organization has responded to that

10-11

102-1

Name of the organization

102-2

Primary brands, products and/or services

102-3

Location of the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters

102-4

Number of countries where the organization operates

102-5

Ownership and legal form

102-6

Markets served

102-7

Scale of the organization

102-8

Workforce

1 8-9 8 8, 44 44 8, 44

6. Reporting method

2

102-45

Operational structure, report boundaries

44

33

102-46

Explanation of the process for defining the report content and implementation of reporting principles

44-45

www.vanheede.com/nl/ duurzaam-ondernemen

102-47

List of material topics

14-15

n/a

102-48

Restatements, if any, of information given in previous reports

n/a n/a

102-9

Describe the supply chain

102-10

Significant changes during the reporting period regarding the organization and its supply chain

102-11

Describe which way the precautionary principle is applied

44-45

102-49

Significant changes in reporting compared to previous reporting periods

102-12

Externally developed CSR charters, principles or other initiatives subscribed by the organization

14-15

102-50

Reporting period

102-13

Memberships of associations, where the organization exercises functions, provides financial contributions or considers its membership a strategic instrument

102-51

Date of most recent report

102-52

Reporting cycle

44

102-53

Contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents

48

102-54

Reporting in accordance with GRI standards

44-45

102-55

GRI content index

46-47

102-56

External assurance

www.vanheede.com/nl/ duurzaam-ondernemen

2. Strategy 102-14

A statement from the Board of Directors about the relevance of sustainable development for the organization and its strategy

6-7

3. Ethics and integrity 102-16

Internally developed statements of mission and principles, norms of behavior and basic principles relating to CSR

9

4. Governance 102-18

Governance structure

44

44 juni 2016 www.vanheede.com/nl/ duurzaam-ondernemen

44

47

REFERENTIE

turnover

MATERIAL TOPICS Economic Economic performances 103

Management approach

40-43

201-1

Direct economic value generated and distributed

40-43

Environment

110,170 KEUR EBITDA

Materials 103

Management approach

16-19, 20-25

301-1

Materials used by weight or volume

16-19, 20-25

Energy

15,278 KEUR net result

103

Management approach

28-29

302-1

Energy (consumption / production) within the organization

28-29

103

Management approach

30-31

303-1

Water withdrawal by source

30-31

303-3

Water recycled and reused

30-31

1,275 KEUR

Water

Emissions

corrected own capital

53,162 KEUR balance sheet total

103

Management approach

26-27

305-5

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

26-27

109,299 KEUR

Waste streams 103

Management approach

16-19

306-2

Total weight of waste by type and disposal method

16-19

solvency ratio

48.64 %

Social Health and safety

liquidity ratio

103

Management approach

36-37

403-2

Types of Injury, occupational diseases, lost days and absenteeism figures, and number of work-related fatalities by region and by gender

36-37

1.31

REPORTING PROCESS AND FIGURES

GRI-STANDAARD

Sustainable waste management: also for you?

Being a pioneer in sustainability, Vanheede Environment Group presents itself as the ideal partner for the processing of waste of companies pursuing a social responsibility. We will be pleased to transform your waste into something beautiful and will not hesitate to verify whether your waste stream qualifies for recycling or any other valorisation method. Tell us your (waste) story and we will shape it!

Edition VANHEEDE ENVIRONMENT GROUP nv Dullaardstraat 11, 8940 Geluwe www.vanheede.com

CSR expertise and counselling slidingdoors www.slidingdoors.be

Responsible editor

Concept and realization

Kim Delvoye c/o: Dullaardstraat 11, 8940 Geluwe

Hit The Moon www.hitthemoon.com

Contact

Printing

Kim Delvoye, Marketing Manager You can send your reaction regarding this edition by email to kim.delvoye@vanheede.com.

Drukkerij Jacobs www.drukkerij-jacobs.be