We believe that innovation simply does not work without an efficient environmental and climate protection policy. As a manufacturing company, we are well aware of our responsibilities. This is why we are trying out numerous different approaches to saving resources and improving our carbon footprint - and the reason why we now only use green energy at our company headquarters and production site in the Lower Rhine region. We are also reducing our consumption through modern heating and lighting systems and by generating our own eco power through our photovoltaic system.
Since 2017, ABS Safety apprentices have been taking part in the “Energy Scouts” competition hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. We are also actively supported by all our other employees when it comes to the topic of environmental protection. Whether we are talking about our offices, canteen or warehouse - we are working on introducing new, environmentally-friendly business processes throughout our company. All members of our “ABS family” are involved in contributing ideas and suggestions to find solutions that are kinder to the environment.
Please find below an overview of all the different measures - both large and small - that we have taken with a view to conserving and protecting our environment.
Use an eBike instead of a company car: Any member of our company who wishes to do so can lease a CO²-neutral bike to commute to work. And also use it for private tours, of course. Around 20 employees have already signed up.
At least we do when the sun is shining. Our PV system can generate up to 265 kWh on high-yield days. That covers our total consumption in the production department, our warehouse and our offices. And when the sun isn't shining, we get our electricity from renewable sources.
Well - sometimes you just forget. That is why much of the lighting at ABS is controlled by motion detectors. This prevents us from wasting electricity - even though our LED lighting doesn't actually consume that much.
We were wondering what the best way to do that was. And came up with the following answer: In the future, we will produce the nitrogen needed for our laser machine ourselves. We can also do this at the weekend when our PV system carries on busily collecting energy.
For a while now, all our ABS team members have had their own stainless steel thermal mugs. For coffee, tea and whatever else they enjoy hot. This reduces waste, keeps our drinks warm and prevents them from being spilt or tipped up.
Some people have to make quite an effort to do it, but for Ludwig Beckers it is the natural thing to do. Weather permitting, our boss rides to work on his bike.
Our efficient, low-temperature heating system is fed from a heat pump. This prevents unnecessary heat loss and can really save energy.
We put our heads together once a month to discuss how we can promote climate protection. Of course, our boss, Ludwig Beckers - the driving force behind our ideas - also takes part. And what also really helps is that one of our colleagues in the environmental team has actually studied environmental management.
We are also amongst those who believe in tried-and-tested classic models: Our company bike can be used by all our employees to commute between our warehouse, the production department and our offices - in a totally CO²-neutral fashion. Or it can even be used to run small errands in the vicinity...
In the last few years, we have managed to save a total of two-thirds of our plastic waste. Also - through discussing this with our suppliers, both sides have been able to eliminate packaging materials.
In the shipping department, we now completely avoid using outer packaging materials made of foil. And we have replaced our previous PP adhesive tape with a biodegradable alternative. We can strongly recommend following suit.
This is another really simple but effective classic solution: The paperless office. At our company, pretty much everything is done using a digital document management system (DMS). And we have long since replaced our notice board with an intranet.
If there is no way around it, our boss uses his electric car. He doesn't care at all about prestige. That is why he doesn’t drive an SUV. Nor a limousine. Instead, he keeps it small and smart.
More and more company cars at ABS are now either hybrid or all-electric models. They can be charged at a number of different charging stations in our car park. And what (little) remains in the way of exhaust fumes is compensated with the help of the climate protection organisation atmosfair.
