10 Mar Progress in environmental sustainability
Presentation
Once again this year, at Rieusset we have drawn up our sustainability plan, reaffirming our commitment to the environment and social responsibility. In this post, we talk about the environmental aspect with Joaquín Vidal, head of sustainability at Rieusset, to learn about the progress we made in 2024 and the initiatives that will mark 2025.
Progress in environmental sustainability
- On the road to sustainable transformation, no one should be left behind. In a sentence, where does Rieusset stand?
Rieusset is in a process of constant progress towards sustainability in its three areas –environmental, social and governance– being especially involved with innovation where we seek mono-material solutions to current structures and with the commitment to involve all stakeholders in this transformation.
- To create a sustainable culture within an organization, the role of employees is key. How are Rieusset employees involved in sustainability and what has been their response to this commitment?
At Rieusset, employees play a key role in our environmental sustainability strategy. On the one hand, we offer training and awareness programs that enable them to understand the industry’s impact on the environment and how they can contribute to improving sustainability in their daily work and private lives. In addition, we promote sustainable initiatives in which employees actively participate, such as recycling programs, reducing energy and water consumption, and implementing more responsible practices. When we share the results of these efforts, employees can see the tangible impact of their actions, which reinforces their motivation.
We also foster an environment of innovation, where employees can propose sustainable ideas and projects, giving them not only the opportunity to contribute actively, but also a strong sense of belonging within the company. Related to this, another key aspect is teamwork, as we have specialized sustainability groups, such as the consumption team or the waste reduction team, made up of employees from different areas. These teams allow us to generate debate, share knowledge and collaborate in the implementation of projects with real impact.
- Rieusset works in three key areas: waste recovery, product life cycle analysis and influencing suppliers. How did you progress in each of these areas in the last year?
During 2024, considerable progress was made in each of the areas to which we are committed at Rieusset:
- Waste recovery: At Rieusset, we collaborate with external entities such as technology centers to make the most of existing technologies for recycling and reusing waste. We are also in permanent contact with suppliers and managers to reach 0 waste, and we are currently very close to achieving this goal.
- Product life cycle analysis and carbon footprint: During 2024, we were committed to collecting data from our production processes in order to evaluate the environmental impact of each of our products, and thus be able to propose more sustainable alternatives that minimize this environmental impact. In addition, since the end of 2024, the GEROSA group has a proprietary algorithm for calculating the recyclability of products.
- Influencing suppliers: We are in permanent contact with our suppliers to develop sustainability standards, encouraging more responsible practices throughout the supply chain. In addition, we have developed a supplier evaluation platform that gives high relevance to environmental sustainability issues and ensures compliance with these standards. Currently, we already have more than 35% of our suppliers included in this platform.
- Reducing your carbon footprint is one of your main objectives. What actions have you implemented so far to achieve this?
At Rieusset we continue working to reduce the Carbon Footprint of our plant and our products year after year. To this end, the following points should be highlighted:
- Energy efficiency: We have improved the energy efficiency of our facilities by upgrading lighting, heating and cooling systems. In 2024 we reduced electricity consumption by 6.01%, gas consumption by 2.27% and water consumption by 22.94% compared to 2023.
- Renewable energies: We have solar panels that complement our energy production, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Thus, in 2024, we generated 6.92% of the electricity consumed in that year.
- Sustainable transport: We promote the use of public transportation, bicycles and less polluting vehicles among employees through memos and talks.
- Waste reduction: Awareness programs have been implemented to reduce and separate the waste we generate for subsequent recycling or recovery.
- Sustainability in the supply chain: As mentioned in the previous point, we work with suppliers to promote sustainable practices by seeking their commitment to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Monitoring and reporting: During 2024, the metrics used to measure the carbon footprint were also reviewed, with special emphasis on the details of Scope 3, so that we can adjust the action plans more efficiently.
Implementing these actions not only helps us to reduce our carbon footprint, but also contributes to Rieusset’s long-term sustainability.
- What impact do you think the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) will have?
The European Union’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) seeks to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability, directly impacting our sector. Rieusset is already working in this direction, promoting the use of recyclable and biodegradable materials to minimize waste and improve its management.
One of the main effects of the directive is the promotion of the circular economy, encouraging the recycling and reuse of materials. This leads us to develop innovative solutions in sustainable packaging, anticipating new market demands. In addition, the regulation generates greater environmental awareness, influencing consumer behavior and facilitating the adoption of more responsible packaging by our clients.
Finally, compliance with the PPWD means adapting to a more demanding regulatory framework, which requires optimizing our waste management systems and ensuring that our products comply with the new regulations.
- Lastly, what are Rieusset’s environmental sustainability objectives for 2025?
All our efforts in sustainability improvements have been rewarded with the Ecovadis Platinum Medal for the second consecutive year, thus continuously increasing the score obtained during the last five years, which motivates us to continue to be a benchmark in sustainability.
Therefore, we will continue to advance in the work begun in previous years, adapting to the new requirements. In 2025, we will focus especially on the following areas:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Promoting the circular economy to minimize waste and promote the reuse and recycling of materials
- Biodiversity conservation
- Promoting sustainable mobility
- Encouraging companies that work with Rieusset to adopt sustainable and transparent practices in their operations and supply chains.
Rieusset, as a company belonging to the Gerosa Group, is and will remain firmly committed to sustainability, as reflected in our Mission and Vision.
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