Sustainability

Sustainable Plastics Distribution: From Product Selection to Delivery

As a solution-oriented supplier of engineering plastics, we are mindful of our responsibility and are committed to conducting our business in a sustainable manner. We always strive to continuously improve our processes in order to conserve resources, protect our environment, and preserve it for future generations.

An important milestone on this journey is receiving the ISCC PLUS certificate following a successful audit. By voluntarily obtaining ISCC certification for our plastics distribution operations, we are not only responding to the growing demand from our customers and business partners for the sustainable use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, but we are also sending a clear signal about our own commitment to responsible business practices as a company. ISCC certification is a logical continuation of the path we have chosen toward the future of plastics.

CO2 Savings Through 100% Green Electricity and Green Natural Gas

By using green electricity from Stadtwerke Villingen-Schwenningen GmbH, which is generated 100% from renewable energy sources, Grässlin Süd saved a total of 43,181 kilograms of CO2 in 2022. Grässlin Nord purchases green electricity from EWB Bünde, sourced exclusively from renewable energy facilities that meet the legally mandated environmental standards, provide additional ecological benefits through support for new facilities, and supply 100% regional electricity from regional plants for the portion of electricity eligible for EEG subsidies. As a result, Grässlin Nord has already achieved climate neutrality in 2022 based on its calculated electricity consumption. Among other measures, the installation of a large-scale photovoltaic system on the warehouse roof will allow us to further improve these statistics in the coming years.

Grässlin Süd has also received a First Climate green gas certificate for offsetting CO2 emissions through CO2 reduction certificates amounting to 525 metric tons of CO2 equivalents. Grässlin Nord achieved climate neutrality in its calculated gas consumption in 2022.

Overall, all these measures enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and help minimize the environmental impact of our business operations.

Electricity generation with a peak output of up to 530 kW

With the installation of a large-scale photovoltaic system on the roof of our new facility in 2025, we will generate approximately 530,000 kWh of electricity annually. Any excess electricity that we do not use to cover a significant portion of our on-site consumption at the Villingen-Schwenningen location will be fed into the local utility’s grid as green electricity—enough to power approximately 130 households.

To this end, 1,275 photovoltaic modules have been installed on a total of 5,446 square meters of available roof space. Compared to the German electricity mix, the use of solar power avoids approximately 192 metric tons of CO2 per year; compared to electricity generated from lignite, the reduction is as high as approximately 560 metric tons of CO2 per year. The system is a key component in the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

Waste Prevention and Recycling

We are aware that waste poses a significant problem for our environment, and we are committed to disposing of our waste in a sustainable manner. To this end, we have received a waste sustainability certificate that confirms, among other things, the responsible disposal of cardboard, RDF (refuse-derived fuel), PE films, waste wood (e.g., defective used pallets), scrap (including electronic waste), recyclable waste, and residual waste within the company. To achieve this goal, we work closely with our waste disposal partners and source safe and environmentally friendly packaging from our packaging supplier. This packaging bears the Resy 0051 label.

We also aim to actively contribute to waste prevention beyond our offices and warehouses, and in our plastics distribution operations, we rely on high-quality plastic granules and compounds that ensure the maximum service life of the products manufactured from them. We are certain that the only thing more meaningful than recycling and the circular economy is conserving valuable resources in the first place.

Green Logistics

In logistics, we rely on “green carriers” that share our commitment to sustainable practices to deliver to our customers. Our logistics partners strive to reduce transport distances by optimizing the utilization of their vehicles, switching to the most environmentally friendly modes of transport wherever possible, and increasing efficiency through regular fleet upgrades. Waste prevention, effective material flow management, and—in particular—the proper disposal of hazardous waste are central aspects of their effective environmental management system. Just like us, they aim not only to meet legal requirements but to exceed them wherever possible. Even seemingly small improvements, such as conducting driver training on fuel-efficient driving led by certified driver trainers, contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution and help minimize the environmental impact of our business operations.

Green logistics also has other benefits: It helps reduce traffic congestion by optimizing routes, which saves time and money.

Sustainability is a team effort

We are committed to continuously improving our sustainability and optimizing our environmental performance in a sustainable manner. Through our efforts, we aim to contribute to the creation of a more sustainable world, and we thank you for your trust in us as a partner for sustainable plastics distribution.