SuStainability our green book
The greenest tile ever produced is in your hands!This handmade brochure is comprised of biodegradable fibre embedded with annual and perennial wildflower seeds.
Plant it, grow it, and see for yourself!
Directions for planting:Thoroughly soak the handmade paper in water prior to planting. Spread it out in the ground, or a pot, under a thin layer of soil,
out of direct sunlight. Water gently and regularly, keeping the seed paper moist until the seedlings are well established. Germination time is 1-4 weeks.
No trees were cut down in the process of creating this brochure. Earth friendly and recycled throughout.
Retreating Ice and Snow in Greenland. NASA image by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory. Image interpretation
provided by Ian Joughin, University of Washington and Ted Scambos, National Snow and Ice Data Center.
CoNTENTS
About Desso
our Vision, Values and Strategy
Message from the Chief Executive
Global Warming - Facts and Definitions
our Focus
Social Responsibility
Climate
Sustainability with Substance
our Plans for the Future
AbouT DESSo
Desso has been manufacturing and
marketing carpet for more than 70 years,
and during that time it has earned a fine
reputation as a reliable partner and creative
designer. Today, we have three factories
in Europe and specialist customer service
centres throughout Europe, as well as in
the United States, Asia, South Africa, the
Middle East and Australia.
Desso products can be found in offices,
public buildings, banks, schools, universities,
retail shops, hospitals, hotels, cruise ships
and planes. Among our many highly valued
customers are distinguished companies
such as Fortis, ABN AMRO, HSBC, Deutsche
Bank, BNP Paribas, Allianz, Starwood Hotels,
Marriott Hotels, Regus, KLM, Virgin Atlantic
and many more.
AbouT ouR bRoChuRES AND REPoRTS
Our Brochures are printed entirely on Cyclus paper, which is made
with 100% post-consumer recycled fibres and manufactured with
Green-e certified nonpolluting, wind-generated electricity. The paper
meets the Blue Angel Environmental Standard for Printing and Writing
Paper, and is certified by standards that promote environmentally
appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of
the world’s forests. Lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium
are not used in the coating formula of our brochure. Soy, rather than
petroleum based, inks are used in the production of this brochure.
3
ouR ViSioN, VAluES AND STRATEGy
Standards exist to be improved
upon, and the high standards we set
in our work today present us with
our challenges for tomorrow. We are
determined to offer our customers
the very best possible products,
processes, applications and services.
This dedication to excellence has
contributed to the success of our
company, and embraces our five
core brand values of creativity,
ambition, flexibility, sustainability
and responsibility.
CreativityAmbitionFlexibility
SustainabilityResponsibility
5
MESSAGE FRoM ThE ChiEF ExECuTiVE
In finding the right balance between
Change and Trust, Desso creates
greater value for our company, our
employees and our customers.
Sustainability and corporate
responsibility are not just obligations
to be met but also objectives that
are at the heart of Desso’s corporate
philosophy. Trust enables change;
in turn change enables more
sustainable societies. By contributing
to social, environmental and economic
development and by holding ourselves
to a high ethical standard in everything
we do, we gain the trust of our clients
and contemporaries.
Desso is well positioned to drive the
change.
This commitment starts from the top
and is shared by our employees, who
feel pride in working for a company
whose business contributes to a better
world.
We are committed to our social
and environmental responsibilities,
regarding these as essential
prerequisites to sustainable business.
We wish to be known as a solid,
trustworthy and dependable company;
as a good ‘corporate citizen’ in terms of
the way we treat our staff and maintain
our relationship with the communities
in which we operate.
The company will never lose sight of
the fact that its goal is to enhance the
quality of people’s lives – and, among
other things, that means safeguarding
the environment.
We have learned through experience
that change is something to be
embraced. And, at a time when the
world is changing faster than ever, we
continue to tackle fresh challenges with
the same drive that has characterized
our company since the business was
launched almost 80 years ago.
Stef Kranendijk, CEO
7
ThE iSSuE oF GlobAl WARMiNG
Is global warming man-made? There is a
great deal of discussion around the topic of
global warming without universal agreement.
Although we do not have all the answers, we do
know that reducing our energy consumption
and emissions will benefit the environment,
and that makes good business sense. To help
you gain a greater understanding of this
complex issue, we have formulated some
facts and definitions that will help you better
grasp what global warming is and what it
means to be carbon neutral by offsetting the
carbon footprint. (A carbon footprint is the
total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and
other greenhouse gases emitted over the full
life cycle of a product or service.)
WhAT iS GlobAl WARMiNG?Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth’s surface temperature. Many scientists believe it is caused by an
increase in greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Given the natural variability of the Earth’s climate, it is
difficult to determine the extent of change that humans cause.
WhAT ARE ThE GREENhouSE GASES?Many chemical compounds found in the earth’s atmosphere act as greenhouse gases. They include carbon dioxide CO2,
methane CH4, nitrous oxide NO2, water vapour, halogenated fluorocarbons and ozone. When sunlight strikes the earth’s
surface, some is reflected back towards space as infra-red radiation - heat. Greenhouse gases absorb and trap the heat
in the atmosphere.
bECoMiNG CARboN NEuTRAlWhen an individual or an organization sets out to become carbon neutral it is usually achieved by a low carbon
economy, combining the following:
Limiting energy usage and emissions from transport (by walking, using bicycles or public transport, avoiding flying and
using low-energy vehicles) as well as from buildings, equipment and processes.
Obtaining electricity from renewable energy sources - either directly by generating it ourselves (by installing solar
panels on the roof for example) or by selecting an approved green energy provider, and by using low-carbon alternative
fuels such as bio-fuels. Offsetting the remaining emissions that cannot for the moment be avoided or generated from
renewables in a responsible carbon project, or by buying carbon credits.
our Company,our Style.
WhERE Do GREENhouSE GAS EMiSSioNS CoME
FRoM?
Greenhouse gas emissions result primarily
from the combustion of fossil fuels such
as coal, oil and gasoline. Greenhouse gas
emissions from industry, transportation
and agriculture are very likely to be the
main cause of recently observed global
warming. Major sources of an individual’s
greenhouse gas emission include home
heating and cooling, electricity consumption
and transportation. Corresponding
conservation measures include improving
home building insulation, installing cellular
shades and compact fluorescent lamps
and choosing vehicles that offer a higher
ratio of miles per gallon.
9
our Company,our Style.
ouR FoCuS
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We want our business to have a
positive effect on those we deal
with - not least our customers,
our workforce and our suppliers.
We aim to build a reputation as
an honest and ethical trading
partner, great employer and
responsible neighbour.
1
CLIMATE
We aim to become a carbon
neutral business. We will constantly
determine the carbon footprint of our
products, using the latest techniques.
We will continually strive to reduce
those footprints by reducing our
energy consumption, minimizing
our transport, using greener energy
sources and applying carbon offsetting
to our business.
2
3
FOR THE WORLD TOMORROW
Everything we do has an effect on the big
issues facing us as a society. At Desso we are
aware of the environmental impact of climate
change and the overuse of scarce resources.
We know the difference that can be made by
interaction with our neighbours and society
as a whole and we will concentrate our
efforts in these areas. However we cannot
succeed alone; our sustainable goals must
encompass our workforce, our suppliers, our
neighbours, our customers, and indeed our
direct stakeholders.
SUSTAINABILITY WITH SUBSTANCE
We will ensure that our products have
as beneficial an impact as possible
throughout their whole life. We will source
sustainable raw materials, use energy-
efficient processes, develop long-life and
low maintenance products, and we will
recycle, reclaim and re-use products at the
end of their initial life.
SoCiAl RESPoNSibiliTy
We want our business to have a positive effect on those we deal with - not least our
customers, our workforce and our suppliers. We aim to build a reputation as an honest and
ethical trading partner, great employer and responsible neighbour.
• Desso’s Company Policy encompasses a continual improvement process.
• All internal transport is electrically powered.
• All our plants are based in Europe, and our minimum wage exceeds local minimum
requirements.
• Desso is a signatory to the benchmarking covenant: a regional initiative linked to the Kyoto
agreement.
ouR MANuFACTuRiNG FACiliTiES ARE iSo 14001 CERTiFiED. WhAT DoES ThAT MEAN?
Our manufacturing facilities are ISO 14001 certified meaning
we have a set of procedures that cover all key processes in
the business:
We monitor processes to ensure they are effective•
We are keeping adequate records•
We check output for defects, and take appropriate •
corrective action where necessary
Desso regularly reviews both our individual processes •
and the quality system itself for effectiveness; we aim to
facilitate continual improvement
Desso complies with international environmental •
standards and regulations, which means that we
are properly managing and implementing internal
environmental goals and objectives as they are set out.
our Company,our Style.
WhAT ElSE ARE WE DoiNG To hElP ENSuRE A ClEANER AND SAFER
ToMoRRoW FoR ouR EMPloyEES?
One step we have taken is the use of
electronically powered forklift trucks
which do not produce any emissions or
dangerous fumes. Electric forklifts are also
ideal in terms of cost as they are less
expensive to run than any other comparable
apparatus. Another advantage of having
electric forklift trucks in our manufacturing
businesses and warehouses is that they
are quieter than other alternatives, hence
more user-friendly for our employees and
the environment.
13
WASTE & RECyCliNG
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
For more than a decade, the concept of waste isolation has been embedded in
the manufacturing processes at our facilities. This means that we constantly focus
attention on waste. Our prime objective is always to minimize waste, and all our carpet
waste is pelletised and used as high energy and raw material in other industries.
ouR CoMMiTMENT To WASTE REDuCTioN iS AbSoluTE
• All semi-finished carpet waste is recycled and used as high energy in
other industries.
• All finished carpet waste is pelletised and used for fuel in other industries.
• All textile dust is extracted, collected and used as fuel in other industries.
• All polypropylene waste is recycled back into other industrial processes.
our Company,our Style.
ClEAN WATER
At Desso’s main production facility a
daily 600m3 of water is processed by the
water treatment plant, totalling 410,000m3
annually.
Of this volume, 50% is recycled using
a special ozone purification installation
supplied by Air Liquide/Altec GmbH. In
addition, Desso saves aslo at its carpet
tile plant an annual 11,000m3 of drinking
water by introducing a closed system
for cooling purposes. To ensure quality
control is strictly maintained, the water
from the water purification installation is
constantly and thoroughly checked, with
a daily inspection by Desso’s process
operators and a weekly lab check to
verify chemical levels.
A certified independent laboratory
conducts monthly tests, and local
authorities carry out spot checks to ensure
Desso meets regulatory standards.
15
CliMATE
We aim to become a carbon neutral business. We will constantly determine the
carbon footprint of our products, using the latest techniques. We will continually
strive to reduce those footprints by reducing our energy consumption, minimizing
our transport, using greener energy sources and by applying carbon offsetting cost
to our business.
• All products are individually certified GUT (“Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher
Teppichboden”), see below and next page.
• Water recycling plants have been installed at both of our factories. This enables
us to guarantee that water is returned to river in line with European environmental
regulations.
• We have reduced air emissions by more than 50% since 1994 and more than 80%
for specific substances.
• No chlorine-containing solvents are used at our factories.
CLIMATE CHANGE – DESSO COMMITMENT
We use less energy and as a direct result have achieved a 23% improvement in our energy efficiency index, over the last decade whilst we have increased the production significantly. In addition, due to the use of green energy, and importantly, due to the use of our production scrap as fuel for the cement industry and energy power plants our total energy efficiency index has improved 73% over the last decade. On December 4, 1990, European carpet manufacturers joined in Aachen in Germany to form GUT. Their goal: “To ensure environmental friendliness and consumer protection at every stage of the carpet’s life-cycle.” Its founding fathers proclaimed environmental and consumer protection to be a basic element of their company’s culture. They realised that the environmental issues couldn’t be solved by one single company nor on a national basis: manufacturers - even if they were competing against each other on the market - needed to act together and across the European continent, and they formed GUT. How is Desso tested in relation to environmental acceptability of our products? We assure: • Environmentally compatible production. • The absence of any contaminants. • Minimal emissions and odours in new carpet. • Recycling of scrapped carpet and production waste.
our Company,our Style.
GuT - hoW iS DESSo TESTED- CARPETS TESTED FoR A bETTER liViNG
ENViRoNMENT:
As a member of GUT, Desso is committed
to:
• Examining the products with regard to
damaging chemicals and emissions.
• Manufacturing the products with less
impact on the environment.
• Co-operating on continuous improvement
of all environmental issues in our production
processes.
• Maintaining on-going inspections of the
standards of our installations.
• Uninterruptedly fulfilling our obligations
in accordance with instructions regarding
clean air, clean water and recycling issues.
GUT ensures minimum environmental
impact and consumer protection at every
stage of the carpet’s life-cycle: from
production to installation, from daily life to
discarding. Desso addresses a broad variety
of questions related to the consumers’
living environment, either in their homes or
in nature at large. GUT closely co-operates
with three independent certified European
institutes, Centexbel (Belgium), ÖTI (Austria)
and TFI (Germany).
17
SuSTAiNAbiliTy WiTh SubSTANCE
We will ensure that our products have as beneficial an impact as possible
throughout
their whole life. We will source sustainable raw materials, use energy-efficient
processes, develop long-life and low maintenance products, and we will recycle,
reclaim and re-use
products at the end of their initial life.
Most yarns used at our factories include 15% recycled content. All packaging •
includes 40% recycled content.
Energy is recovered from all factory solid waste through controlled incineration, •
with the residual ash being used for cement products. Water use in the tile
printing process has been reduced by 98%.
At Desso more than 26 different kinds of waste are collected separately - waste •
recycling from our factories exceeds 90%.
We have a set of procedures that cover all key processes in the business.•
AT DESSo MoRE ThAN 26 DiFFERENT kiNDS oF WASTE ARE CollECTED SEPARATEly - WASTE RECyCliNG FRoM ouR FACToRiES ExCEEDS 90%
All waste that arises from production is called
production scrap including side trims from backing
lines, pre-coating lines and bitumen lines, the trims
at the dye cutter and remainders of yarn at the
tufting process.
All scrap and waste is collected at defined sites
within the plant location. The production scrap
is disposed of as a high caloric waste either via
the cement industry or via thermal recycling. All
packaging is 100% recyclable.
our Company,our Style.
uSE oF GREEN ENERGy AND REDuCTioN iN ENERGy CoNSuMPTioN
At our production facility at Desso in
The Netherlands alone, we have reduced
energy consumption per m2 of product
produced by 23% since 1998, resulting in
a 23% reduction in CO2 emissions.
100% PoST CoNSuMER WASTE PAPER
All of Desso’s printed communication
is conducted using Cyclus – a 100%
recycled paper created from post-
consumer waste.
What is recycled paper?
Recycled paper is made from waste
paper collected from places such
as office and, printing companies..
The waste paper is de-inked, i.e. the
printing ink is cleaned from the fibres,
the fibres bleached and new pulp
produced which can be used in the
production of new paper (recycled
paper). Recycled paper is less harmful
to the environment than paper
made from fresh (virgin) fibres. No
chlorine bleaching is used. Chlorine-
free paper is paper bleached without
using chlorine or chlorine compounds
(TCF).
We will print with water-based inks.
Aside from environmental issues,
water-based inks have other
advantages, such as stability and
lower flammability ratings. Water-
based inks tend to be more viscosity-
stable on press due to the slower
evaporating nature of water. Water-
based inks have lower VOCs and
indeed can be formulated with zero,
or near zero, per cent VOCs on many
paper products.
Newer generations of water-based
products are easier to clean up than
their solvent counterparts; rinsing
with a mixture of soap and water
will usually do a thorough job of
cleaning water-based inks from
press parts making them even more
environmentally friendly. Also, water-
based inks have lower flammability
ratings and many are non-red label
products with such high flammability
points that insurance restrictions are
eased.
our Company,our Style.
21
ouR PlANS FoR ThE FuTuRE
• In 2008 we will gain the UK BRE certificate ( BRE Global Limited is an independent third party approval body
offering certification of fire, security and sustainability products and services to an international market).
• We have launched our new project on reclaiming carpet from customers. As from today we are piloting the
reclamation project in which we reuse or recycle carpet.
• We have our carbon offsetting programme.
• Our energy reduction programme started more than a decade ago, and we will continue to pursue our
commitment to reducing our energy consumption.
• From 2008 green energy will be used in our plants, and we will be investigating alternative energy options.
• We will start our programmes based on the cradle-to-cradle concept.
about Desso Desso has been manufacturing and marketing carpet for more than 70 years, and during that time it has earned a fine reputation as a reliable partner and creative designer. Today, it has three factories in Europe and specialist customer service centres throughout Europe, as well as in the United States, Asia, South Africa, the Middle East and Australia. CARPETECTURE® is a powerful example of the Desso commitment to creative carpet design and its dedication to answer the needs of architects, interior designers, building owners, and end users. Desso products can be found in offices, public buildings, banks, schools, universities, retail shops, and hospitals. Among its many highly valued customers are distinguished companies such as Fortis, ABN AMRO, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Allianz, Starwood Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Regus, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and many more.For more information visit: www.desso.com.
SustainabilityDesso has been taking measures to safeguard the environment for many years – long before it became popular to do so. With an ISO 14001 environmental quality accreditation, regular on-site checks by independent institutes ensure the best possible environmental production methods. In addition, every Desso carpet and carpet tile carries a unique GUT test number that proves it passes GUT tests for contamination and emission. We also have several initiatives for re-using carpet tiles to ease the burden on landfill, and our ongoing research programme for environmental awareness and recycling covers both product and packaging. Desso continuously seeks to improve the environmental attributes of our products through product design development programmes whilst our manufacturing plants evaluate energy use and a continuous reduction in waste and pollution as well as process improvement.