Sustainability

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.

For DESSO, the radical decision to move beyond ‘mere’ sustainability in producing its carpets and artificial grass has resulted in a partnership agreement with the Hamburg-based Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA), Cradle to Cradle® is a giant step forward, from Eco Efficiency to Eco Effectiveness.

For more information please see our Cradle to Cradle® brochure

Our focus:

Social responsibilities
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 by fulfilling the Global Sullivan Principles and striving for a SA 8000 certification in 2012.
Climate
We will continually strive to reduce to use 100% renewable energy for our operations.
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.

Certified Management Systems (ISO 14001, ISO 9001)

We aim to act sustainable by continuous improvement to reach the highest standards and to seek for improvement in all aspects of our business

We monitor processes to ensure they are effective
We are keeping adequate records
We take appropriate corrective action where necessary

A cleaner and safer tomorrow for our employees

DESSO is committed to manufacture products that foster pride in the workforce, in a safe and healthy environment. DESSO invests in production facilities to ensure health and safety of the workforce.

At our production site in Waalwijk, The Netherlands there have been no lost time accidents for more than three years.
In Dendermonde, Belgium lost time accidents have been reduced by 50% from 2008-2009, due to awareness training programmes.
One step we have taken is the use of electronically powered forklift trucks which do not produce any emissions or dangerous fumes.
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.
No chlorine-containing solvents are used at our factories.

Waste & recycling

While carpets may be recyclable, it is vital to ensure that the recycling actually takes place. Under our Cradle to Cradle commitment, we have introduced a Take Back™ Programme where we collect used carpets from our clients, thus ensuring that they can be properly reprocessed.

DESSO offers international collection of used carpets on a project basis. This includes all types of carpet, irrespective of brand and type, with the exception of carpets containing PVC.
PVC is not considered suitable for reuse according to the Cradle to Cradle principles.
Collected carpet will be processed by a waste management company and used as a high-caloric fuel within the cement industry or re-used for other recycling initiatives.
Within the scope of the DESSO Take Back™ programme, logistic and recycling processes will continue to be further optimised, to provide the ideal solution for customers whilst contributing to DESSO’s Cradle to Cradle ambitions.
All textile waste is recycled back into other industrial processed.

Efficiency

At our production facility at DESSO in The Netherlands alone, we have reduced energy consumption per m2 of product produced by 27% since 2001.
At our carpet tile plant in Waalwijk, the Netherlands DESSO also saves an annual 29,241m3 of groundwater by purification and re-use of waste water.

Climate change

DESSO uses 100% renewable electricity (hydropower) in all our operations. In addition, our Co2 emissions have decreased by 41% from 2008-2009 despite a slight increase in production volume. We strive to decrease our Co2 emissions further by:

Energy efficiency measures
Use of electricity from hydropower for all our operations.

Clean water

At DESSO’s main production facility in Dendermonde a daily 1043 m3 of water is processed by the water treatment plant, totaling 265.000m3 annually.
Wastewater is purified by biological treatment and a special ozone purification by Air Liquide/Altec GmbH. Ozonised waste water is reused in production, saving 12% groundwater.
In addition, DESSO saves also at its carpet tile plant an annual 29241m3 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.
Water is returned to river in line with European environmental regulations.

Carpets tested for a better living environment

In line with DESSO’s Cradle to Cradle strategy and prior to formal Cradle to Cradle certification being granted, products, materials and components must all undergo a rigorous assessment procedure. The initial stages of the certification process comprise assessing raw materials in terms of human and environmental health criteria, and evaluating the manufacturing process according to recycling potentials, energy and water use, and social responsibility. EPEA will be supplied with detailed information regarding all the materials involved in DESSO’s products and processes.

DESSO is working towards the passive positive list. The future steps to Cradle to Cradle certification:

We list all the chemicals our products contain. Also all compounds are separated into their components (the base chemicals).
CAS#, Material Safety Data Sheets are collected as well as all toxicological and eco toxicological data. EPEA evaluates all chemicals on 12 different criteria and gives an overall assessment Red, Yellow or Green.
We are already working on phase out plans for those chemicals that have a red assessment. EPEA monitors these plans.
Currently we are also developing products with positively defined chemicals and materials.