Sustainability Report 2017

Measures to reduce greenhouse gases The successful reduction of greenhouse gas emis- sions results from several measures which have contributed to it. Collection route software is being continuously developed to ensure bins are emptied in the most efficient way possible. Maps and itineraries are just one of the many features to receive regular updates. In Switzerland emissions are mainly ge- nerated during transportation. On top of that, the collection bags themselves and the bags that are used for production as well as the used textile bins also play a part. Collection bags are manu- factured in a climate-neutral manner with around 10-18 percent of recycled material. At the end of their service life used textile containers are dis- assembled to allow for individual components that are still in good condition to be re-used as spare parts. The electricity used by plants during the sorting process plays a major role. TEXAID is continuously striving to improve its energy effi- ciency and has only used hydroelectric power at its plants in Schattdorf and Steinhausen since 2016. In the sorting facility dust and noise pollution are at acceptable levels and monitored on a regu- lar basis. Nevertheless, employees have access to face masks and ear protection devices if they wish to use them. Employee awareness is increased through peri- odic scheduled training courses on resource effi- ciency and environmental climate and energy management. In 2016 these trainings focused on implementing the company’s environmental ma- nagement system according to ISO 14001. In 2017 they mainly covered the subjects of consumption and waste. To compensate for its greenhouse gas emissions, TEXAID was a sponsor of the Çanakkale project in Turkey until the end of 2016. This project 2017 Swiss Climate Award presentation, © Swiss Climate, Mathias Bürgi, (Swiss Climate AG CEO), Philipp Stoller, (Managing Director at TEXAID Swit- zerland), Michael Emmenegger, (Head of Corporate Development, TEXAID Switzerland) involves the use of wind turbines to generate re- newable energy. Fossil fuel consumption is there- by reduced, and greenhouse gas emissions are spared. In 2017, TEXAID obtained reduction certificates for its 1,676 tons of CO²e as compensation for its emissions. Since 2017, TEXAID has funded a bio- mass project in Bulgaria. This climate-protection project involves transforming sawdust into steam. A closed life cycle of pulp production and the recy- cling of biomass to generate heat have allowed for 90,000 tons of CO² emissions to be saved per year. This project was verified by and awarded the Gold Standard VER for its modalities and processes. Although comprehensive environmental and cli- mate management systems have yet to be set up in Germany and at the other locations, initial ener- gy regulation measures have already been imple- mented to reduce negative impacts on the envi- ronment. All TEXAID subsidiaries can draw from the engagement of TEXAID Switzerland when developing their own climate and environmental management systems. In 2018 TEXAID Germany has precise plans to create a climate management system based on the fiscal year 2017. For the other companies these systems are planned for the fiscal year 2020. 34