We are contributing to environmental and climate protection!
World Environment Day will be held on 5 June this year. The UN is issuing a call to fight plastic pollution worldwide. GEZE is working on this issue, since sustainability is one of our biggest priorities. In an era of global warming, we consider the climate crisis to be one of the biggest challenges facing the EU. Naturally, GEZE is doing its part to help protect the environment and the climate in many different ways. That is why we are looking forward to 5 June, which will be UNO World Environment Day (WED). The global day of action, being held this year for the 50th time, shows all of us that
#BeatPlasticPollution
During its anniversary year in 2023, World Environment Day is concentrating on fighting “plastic pollution”. On this day, a wide variety of events are being held under the motto of #BeatPlasticPollution. The goal is to show how to avoid plastic waste and promote a circular economy. Just in time for 5 June, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has also published the Beat plastic pollution practical guide. This comprehensive collection contains a range of tips for how we can all help get a handle on this global crisis. The UNEP is convinced: with the right measures, plastic pollution can be reduced by 80 per cent by 2040.
Avoid plastic – and much more
For employees who don't want to eat in the canteen, we offer our lunch in RECUP's sustainable packaging.
At GEZE, we are contributing in the responsible use of plastic. That is why our products are made primarily of metals, and why we already return 950 tons of our packaging material to the cycle every year – including many kinds of plastics.
In addition to porcelain dishes, we use sustainable packaging materials from RECUP – Germany's largest reusable materials system for the food and catering sector – at our cafeteria in Leonberg.
We are also pursuing many other measures as part of our sustainability strategy, as GEZE strives to protect our natural treasures for future generations. With our products and solutions, we help design liveable and energy efficient buildings. Here are some of the activities going on at the Leonberg location:
GEZE actively supports the transformation of transportation
The use of the bicycle leasing programme has doubled over the last two years.
With the Green Fleet (in cooperation with AMS Fuhrparkmanagement GmbH in Berlin), GEZE supports all employees, for example,
- to switch to a smaller vehicle with lower fuel consumption, to an e-car or even an e-bike,
- to lease service bicycles,
- to obtain the "EURO6" rating and the green fine dust sticker and
- to save taxes and social security with a GEZE company car
We are very proud that use of our bicycle leasing programme has doubled over the last two years. Almost 10% of employees currently take advantage of this offer, and this number is growing steadily. We created a covered bicycle parking area to further encourage employees to switch to cycling.
If they do need to take the car, electric Smart cars are available for internal factory transport. This allows our employees to take frequently-trafficked routes like those between the main administration building and distribution centre without using a combustion engine.
Last but not least, we are making it easier to switch to public transportation: since May 2023, GEZE has subsidised the Deutschlandticket. Our employees pay just 34.50 euros per month, instead of 49 euros.
GEZE purchases 100% green electricity
We already cover 100% of our electricity needs within Germany from ecological sources. © Shutterstock
We purchase green electricity – meaning that 100% of the power required for our German locations is generated in Scandinavian run-of-river hydroelectric plants. By doing so, we already save over 4,000 tons of CO2 per year, when compared to what would have been, had we purchased the German electricity mix. In addition, we operate a cogeneration plant in Leonberg to be as efficient and ecological as possible in combined heat and power generation. Furthermore, we are saving energy by, for example, partially dispensing with air-conditioning in the new development centre, and instead opting for automatic natural ventilation and night-time cooling. We handle heat the same way: by installing our own products, such as doors with thermally-separated profiles and heat recovery from compressors, we actively exploit savings potential.
To keep an eye on energy consumption at the Leonberg production site, we operate an energy monitoring system. This allows us to complete detailed analyses, and gives us a targeted way to save energy.
Our electricity consumption per employee has fallen continuously since 2016 as a result of various measures. In addition, we have purchased only green power since 2014 – by doing so, we save over 4,000 tons of CO2 per year total at all German locations.
Ruth Piacenza, Sustainability Managerin GEZE GmbHGEZE relies on sustainable IT infrastructure
To ensure used IT hardware is handled sustainably, we work closely with AfB.
We are consistently advancing digitisation at GEZE. To ensure used IT hardware is handled sustainably, we work closely with AfB, which specialises in electronics recycling and IT remarketing. AfB is Europe's largest non-profit IT company with an inclusive, socially responsible corporate business model, and acts in accordance with ecologically responsible principles. AfB takes our used equipment, completes a certified data deletion process, and prepares it for reuse. Equipment that can no longer be sold is recycled according to the highest ethical and ecological standards.
Cleaner air and bee paradise
The insect hotels in the GEZE biotope provide a safe haven for bees, bumble bees and other insects.
GEZE honey comes from organic beekeeping and is harvested by hand. © GEZE GmbH
To improve air quality on company premises, GEZE interns created a large biotope several years ago, which has become a favourite spot for our employees to relax thanks to its pond, wild flower meadow and trees, and blossoming bushes and shrubs. Now, thanks to two insect hotels, it is also home to a large number of wild bees, who, as pollinators, are essential to our ecosystem. Over 80% of native flowering plants are reliant on pollination by these bees. Because of this, it is important to support bee populations worldwide, which are under pressure. To do so, we have also adopted five beehives and their diligent inhabitants at a bee keeper in Ulm through our partner beefuture.
In order not to endanger our wild bees in the biotope, we have deliberately placed the GEZE beehives outside the natural habitats of wild bees. In this way, we ensure harmonious coexistence and the protection of our wild bee populations. Our new sustainability employees may not be able to plan door technology, but they are still super important and the heroes of our ecosystem.
Product, Planet, People
We are pursuing our sustainability strategy based on these three action areas, systematically taking on responsibility for our environment, people, and our region. This is a matter of course for us as a family business. For 160 years, we have relied on long-term concepts instead of short-term profits. We are proud of all of the people and diverse personalities who want to create a liveable future with us.
Find out more about sustainable action at GEZE:![[Translate to English:] In den letzten Jahren hat sich die Arbeitswelt grundlegend verändert und Unternehmen mussten schnell reagieren, um mit den neuen Herausforderungen Schritt zu halten. Bei GEZE sind wir stolz darauf, dass wir diese Veränderungen als Chance sehen und vielfältige hybride Arbeitsmodelle entwickelt haben, die für alle Mitarbeitenden eine Bereicherung sind.](https://cdn.image.geze.com/im/Teaser2_Port/pboxx-pixelboxx-1863124/Mob "[Translate to English:] New Work bei GEZE - wir leben hybride, flexible Arbeitsmodelle")
