PreZero publishes first Sustainability Report
Milestone towards responsible and sustainable corporate management
Neckarsulm, December 18, 2023. With today's release of the Sustainability Report, PreZero presents for the first time its business activities and their impact on social, ecological, and economic levels. The report consolidates sustainability goals, measures, and activities, and for the first time publishes sustainability key figures, the carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions of the entire PreZero Group for the fiscal year 2022. Aligned with the standards of the internationally recognized Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), it provides transparency for customers, partners, and other stakeholders, embedding long-term thinking and responsible actions within the company.
PreZero's business activities aim to preserve resources, avoid waste, and develop smart material loops. "With our first Sustainability Report, we show that economic, social and ecological sustainability go hand in hand at PreZero, the environmental services provider of the Schwarz Group," says Wolf Tiedemann, CEO of PreZero International. "Due to our strong international growth, we are committed to our increased responsibility towards people and the environment. Comprehensive sustainability management should therefore serve as the basis for our business activities throughout the PreZero Group. The development of the Sustainability Report is a first important success on this path." The voluntary publication of the report also serves as a precursor to the mandatory EU reporting directives, which will come into effect for the PreZero Group from 2026.
The Sustainability Strategy of PreZero served as the framework for this, focusing on the four key topics: Circular Economy, Climate Protection, Employees, Cooperation & Innovation.
Key topic circular economy
During the reporting period, PreZero processed 4,599,792.41 tons of recyclable materials*, actively contributing to a functioning circular economy. PreZero Polymers International made a significant contribution in the field of plastic recycling and flexible packaging, covering a substantial part of the value chain for plastic recyclates itself. The recycling plant in Grünstadt (Germany), which is operated as a joint venture with Meinhardt Städtereinigung GmbH & Co. KG and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, is particularly noteworthy. The site received around four million euros in funding from the Environmental Innovation Program for its process innovation in plastics processing. State-of-the-art technologies are used to produce high-quality HDPE recyclate, which is used in the production of packaging for washing, hygiene and cosmetic products.
* All quantities of recyclable materials that we sent to an external or internal recycling plant were taken into account.
Key topic circular economy
During the reporting period, PreZero processed 4,599,792.41 tons of recyclable materials*, actively contributing to a functioning circular economy. PreZero Polymers International made a significant contribution in the field of plastic recycling and flexible packaging, covering a substantial part of the value chain for plastic recyclates itself. The recycling plant in Grünstadt (Germany), which is operated as a joint venture with Meinhardt Städtereinigung GmbH & Co. KG and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, is particularly noteworthy. The site received around four million euros in funding from the Environmental Innovation Program for its process innovation in plastics processing. State-of-the-art technologies are used to produce high-quality HDPE recyclate, which is used in the production of packaging for washing, hygiene and cosmetic products.
* All quantities of recyclable materials that we sent to an external or internal recycling plant were taken into account.
Key topic Climate protection
In the area of climate protection, PreZero focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout its operations and along the value chain. For the fiscal year 2022, a total CO2 footprint of the PreZero Group of 3,012,193 t CO2 equivalents was determined.
Key topic Employees
PreZero employees play an important role as ambassadors for the circular economy. In addition to the topics of fair treatment, work-life balance and training opportunities, the report shows that Health and Safety in particular are already an integral part of everyday working life. The "PreVent" project supports the management of PreZero International and the responsible managers in the national companies in jointly improving the Group-wide understanding of the risks of the operating business.
Key topic Cooperation & Innovation
Cross-industry partnerships and the promotion of innovation are essential for holistic solutions within the company. By using innovative IT telematics systems and optimized route planning, collection trips can be made even more efficient and therefore more resource-friendly. In the Netherlands, PreZero is also a co-founder of the Green Collective Initiative, which reduces traffic volumes and CO₂ emissions through communal waste collection trips in cities. In California, PreZero is taking an innovative approach by using the larvae of the black soldier fly to convert organic waste into protein meal and insect oil, serving as animal feed and substituting vegetable oils. The residual products can be used as fertilizer.
In the future, PreZero aims to increase recycling rates, minimize environmental impact, and drive innovation in the circular economy. The first GRI-based Sustainability Report marks a significant step towards an environmentally conscious future. It underscores the company's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous development in the field of sustainability.
You can find our digital Sustainability Report here. You can also find more information about the report in the PreZero Sustainability Hub.
For more information about PreZero, please visit our Press Portal.
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