ALTEO launched a carbon footprint neutralization initiative at the end of last year which has been completed by now. This spring a total of 28 fruit trees were planted by the company in the gardens of various educational institutions with the purpose to neutralize the amount of carbon dioxide emitted at the company’s Christmas event.
ALTEO decided last year to neutralize the carbon footprint of the company’s Christmas event by planting as many trees as necessary to absorb the emitted carbon dioxide. Data showed that the company’s total footprint was 3,18 tonnes with a significant proportion – 65 % – of food and drinks consumed, followed by 32% of CO2 emission from travels. The on-site energy consumption can be accounted for only 2% of the total carbon footprint and the organization for 1%. According to the calculations – carried out by GreenDependent Association – 3.18 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be neutralized by planting a total of 28 native fruit trees.
The trees will be able to absorb the emitted carbon dioxide in about 20 years. The plantations took place in the spring of 2019 with the assistance of the Hungarian Foundation for School Gardens.
00adminhttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngadmin2019-03-29 11:31:252019-03-29 11:31:25ALTEO neutralized carbon footprint by planting trees
There is no question that there will be a water crisis in the twenty-first century because its effects are already occurring in Hungary. Also, there is no question whether it will affect companies: the answer is clear: it will – Prof. Dr. András Szöllősi-Nagy pointed out at the BCSDH Business Breakfast and Action 2020 Professional Forum on March 27, 2019, which focused on the subject of water.
Prof. Dr. András Szöllősi-Nagy, Deputy Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of the UNESCO International Hydrological Program and Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences delivered a successful and thought-provoking lecture at the Business Breakfast of the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH). The Business Breakfast of the organization – with its 87 member companies which produce 30% of Hungarian GDP – was followed by an Action 2020 workshop with the participation of CEOs and experts that was aimed at helping the business sector to make real improvements in the area of water.
In his introductory thoughts, Dr. Gábor Bartus, Secretary General of the National Sustainable Development Council (NFFT), highlighted the following: ‘Despite previous efforts, Earth’s natural capital continues to decline at a very fast pace. Today’s poor sustainability performance means tomorrow’s weaker socio-economic well-being. Fortunately, for humanity, remedial technologies, patterns, institutions and values have been identified and are available. These can prevent the destruction of natural resources, or at least substantially slow down the process.
According to a forecast by the OECD, by 2050 global water use will increase by 55%. Most of this growth will be due to an increase in the demand for water from manufacturing, the energy sector, and households.’
‘Most of the effects of climate change will become visible through changes in water, thus all businesses must prepare to use water more efficiently. Climate-change and water-related problems should not be approached from an engineering perspective only, as water use has important economic, sociological and political implications as well. In the next 10 years, the biggest risk factor will be ignoring water-related problems, extreme weather, climate change, and the social consequences of these phenomena. Only 0.007% of Earth’s water resources are available for direct human consumption. We are on the verge of a water crisis.’ – András Szöllősi-Nagy explained.
‘Although Hungary is for now in a favourable position from the perspective of water supply, it is crucial that we sustain this beneficial situation in the long term. The business sector has a role to play in achieving this. CEOs have the primary responsibility of recognizing the importance of adaptation and starting the process of adapting. The issue of increasing water efficiency partly involves market competition as well, a fact which cannot be separated from the issue of security of supply. Additionally, ensuring a supply of suitable quality water will also prove to be increasingly challenging for companies. This year, through our Action 2020 program, we aim to support the efforts of companies in these areas.’ – pointed out Attila Chikán, president of BCSDH, in his introduction.
The business breakfast was followed by the Action 2020 Forum, the primary purpose of which is to launch and support effective teamwork and joined-up thinking in the business sector while creating a real impact. Fifty-nine companies have already joined the program.
The main objective of the Action 2020 program is to support climate adaptation in the water sector so that water is available to everyone in the long term, considering available water resources.
‘In order for water to be available to users in the right quality and quantity, Action 2020 Hungary aims to encourage domestic businesses to set ambitious yet realistic goals and to identify and disseminate solutions that contribute to their realization. During the Forum’s work, we try to identify the most important challenges and opportunities in the former areas, as well as pre-existing business solutions that can bring about immediate-, short- or medium-term results’ – pointed out Károly Kovács, Managing Director of BDL Kft. and Head of the BCSDH Action 2020 Water Working Group.
00eszter.chikankovacshttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngeszter.chikankovacs2019-03-27 14:20:272019-03-27 14:20:27Hungary is on the verge of a water crisis: What can companies do?
Unilever has signed a ‘plastic pact’ in the Netherlands and by that committed to reduce the plastic waste even beyond its sustainability targets. Dutch companies, NGOs and the government want to move faster than the rest of Europe. By 2025, we want all single-use products and packaging to be 100 percent recyclable. In addition, we use 20 percent less plastic by 2025 than in 1997. The new plastics strategy of Unilever already focuses on ‘better plastic, less plastic and no plastic’.
In Davos at the World Economic ForumUnilever unveiled reusable packaging innovations across nine of its brands, including four new product formats. The new products will be trialled on Loop™, a global, first-of-its-kind, waste-free shopping system that will scale the reuse models and shift consumer behaviour to help make circular packaging systems commercially viable.
Among the innovations there are refillable deodorant stick called minim. Made from stainless steel, the design is minimal, compact and sustainable, offering a new consumer experience without any unnecessary materials. Dependent on usage, the product will last on average one month, with the packaging designed to last at least 100 cycles. This means that each pack is expected to last about eight years, with the potential to save up to 100 packs from being thrown away.
Oral care brand Signal unveiled a new product format with new refillable toothpaste tablets called Tooth Tabs. The innovation also enables consumers to brush their teeth using less water: simply chew, brush as usual, rinse and smile. Zero waste, zero hassle and with a huge benefit for the planet.
Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever said: “We want to put an end to the current “take-make-dispose” culture and are committed to taking big steps towards designing our products for re-use. We’re proud to be a founding partner of Loop, which will deliver our much-loved brands in packaging which is truly circular by design.”
00eszter.chikankovacshttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngeszter.chikankovacs2019-03-11 16:50:572019-03-11 16:50:57Less plastic, better plastic, no plastic
ALTEO has been committed to sustainability since its foundation, and this approach transcends the company’s business strategy and thus it’s activities. In accordance with this, the Waste Management Division was established at the beginning of January 2019, which, in addition to the business aspects, will also be able to produce positive results in terms of environmental and sustainability objectives.
ALTEO has gained insight and experience in the waste management and waste management market thanks to it’s activities in the Energy Production and Energy Services business. As a result, the company listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange decided to expand it’s scope of activities with it’s waste management and waste disposal profile.
Anita Simon has been nominated as the leader of the division. She has 15 years of professional experience in the environmental industry in Hungary and in the EU as a sustainability specialist, business executive and waste trading entrepreneur.
The new field of activity will be the third profit center in addition to Energy Production, Operation and Maintenance, and the Enterprise and Project Development Division. By setting up, the company aims to further expand it’s presence in the energy recovery market.
00eszter.chikankovacshttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngeszter.chikankovacs2019-03-11 16:43:032019-03-11 16:43:03ALTEO has launched its waste management division
Nearly 30 companies from the plastics and consumer goods value chain commit over $1.0 billion to help end plastic waste in the environment
BASF supports the Alliance to End Plastic Waste to drive solutions that help to solve the world’s plastic waste problem
BASF today co-founded a global alliance of nearly 30 companies to advance solutions that reduce and eliminate plastic waste in the environment, especially in the ocean. The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) has committed over $1.0 billion with the goal of investing $1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment. New solutions will be developed and brought to scale that will minimize and manage plastic waste. This also includes the promotion of solutions for used plastics by helping to enable a circular economy.
“We strongly support the aim to reduce plastic waste in the environment,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer of BASF SE, who supported setting up the Alliance from the beginning. “We are co-founding the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, because we want to drive and promote solutions that will effectively help solve the world’s plastic waste problem,” explained Brudermüller. “Plastics are efficient materials that can save resources and enable health, safety as well as convenience benefits for society. These benefits could be contradicted, if plastics and their waste are neither used nor disposed nor recycled in a responsible manner.”
Understanding where the plastic waste originates from is key. Research by the Ocean Conservancy shows that plastics in the ocean predominantly originate from litter on land. Most of the plastic waste is spread through rivers and can be traced back to ten major rivers around the world, mainly in Asia and Africa. Many of these rivers flow through densely populated areas which have a lack of adequate waste collection and recycling infrastructure, leading to significant waste leakage. The AEPW will initiate actions where they are most needed. This will include projects that contribute to solutions in four key areas:
Infrastructure development to collect and manage waste and increase recycling;
Innovation to advance and scale up new technologies that make recycling and
recovering plastics easier and create value from post-use plastics;
Education and engagement of governments, businesses, and
communities to mobilize action; and
Clean-up of concentrated areas of plastic waste in the environment, particularly the major conduits of waste, such as rivers, that carry land-based waste to the ocean.
“Everyone agrees that plastic waste does not belong in our oceans or anywhere in the environment. This is a complex and serious global challenge that calls for swift action and strong leadership. This new alliance is the most comprehensive effort to date to end plastic waste in the environment,” said David Taylor, CEO of Procter & Gamble, and chairman of the AEPW.
The alliance is a not-for-profit organization that includes companies from across the global plastics and consumer goods value chain: chemical and plastic manufacturers, consumer goods companies, retailers, converters, and waste management companies. The alliance will work with governments, intergovernmental organizations, academia, non-government organizations and civil society to invest in joint projects to eliminate plastic waste from the environment.
The engagement of BASF in the alliance reinforces the company’s engagement for a responsible handling of plastics. “One important measure to end uncontrolled entry of plastics into the environment is to build up closed circles where plastic can be used as new raw material. The chemical industry plays an important role in innovating and implementing large-scale processes to convert plastic waste into new products,” said Brudermüller. One example of how BASF is working on innovative technologies that promote the recovering and recycling of plastics is its recently initiated ChemCycling project. Together with its customers and partners, BASF developed and manufactured the first pilot products based on chemically recycled plastic waste.
BASF is also actively implementing the international program Operation Clean Sweep® globally in all its plastic pellet production sites, which aims to prevent plastic pellet loss along the value chain through behavioral, organizational and technical measures. Furthermore, BASF engages in various collaborations and association projects (for example, World Plastics Council, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, CEFLEX) on waste management and education.
The following companies are the founding members of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste: BASF, Berry Global, Braskem, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Clariant, Covestro, CP Group, Dow, DSM, ExxonMobil, Formosa Plastics Corporation USA, Henkel, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Mitsui Chemicals, NOVA Chemicals, OxyChem, PolyOne, Procter & Gamble, Reliance Industries, SABIC, Sasol, Shell, Suez, SCG Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical, Total, Veolia, and Versalis (Eni).
More information
Follow the live broadcast of the global launch of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CET) here: www.endplasticwaste.org/live.
Find more information on BASF’s membership in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste here and the new website of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste here.
You can find TV footage of BASF’s ChemCycling project in our TV-service here.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of more than €60 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
00eszter.chikankovacshttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngeszter.chikankovacs2019-03-06 16:55:332019-03-06 16:55:33BASF co-founds global Alliance to End Plastic Waste
Nestlé has on 4 March 2019 announced the launch of a new Nesquik All Natural powder. The new Nesquik is produced in Szerencs, Hungary, in one of the company’s foremost factories for powdered drinks. It features a simplified, natural ingredients list and comes in a recyclable paper pouch.
The launch of the new Nesquik comes less than two months after Nestlé’s commitment to accelerate action to tackle plastic waste. It is one of the first products to put that pledge into action, moving from recyclable plastic to recyclable paper packaging.
Yasser AbdulMalak, Head of the Dairy category for Europe, Middle East and North Africa, added: “The recyclable paper pouch is the first of its kind, one of our key initiatives towards providing more sustainable packaging across our product portfolio. Moving from plastic to paper is a big challenge, but an important step in designing the food packaging of the future. We have taken that step today to ensure we truly meet consumers’ demand for more natural and sustainable food.”
The Nesquik All Natural features simplified list of just five natural ingredients. It has more cocoa and therefore a richer cocoa taste than existing Nesquik products. Nesquik All Natural also has less sugar than the current classic product, and uses raw cane sugar instead of processed white sugar. The cocoa is responsibly sourced from West Africa under the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.
The new pouch is made of a coated paper that is recyclable in the paper stream. The paper is from sustainable sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The pouches have been extensively tested to make sure they keep the Nesquik powder in perfect condition during transport and storage.
Nestlé is launching the new Nesquik All Natural in five European markets in the coming weeks: France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. It will sit alongside the existing Nesquik range, and will be rolled out to other European countries in the near future.
Plans are also well underway for further products in the Nesquik All Natural range across Europe, to be launched within the year. These include a zero sugar version.
00eszter.chikankovacshttps://bcsdh.hu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/bcsdh-logo.pngeszter.chikankovacs2019-03-05 16:10:082019-03-05 16:10:08Nesquik launches All Natural cocoa powder in recyclable paper packaging