Other examples of our Environmental Commitment

28 May 2009

To achieve the objectives set in the company’s Sustainable Development charter, different actions have recently been achieved by SEUR.

A commitment reinforced and recognised
SEUR reinforced its commitment with the environment in the Madrid Pro Climate Forum, a Madrid City Council initiative that seeks leadership and combined efforts to combat air pollution, composed of leading companies in different sectors of activity. Being a member of the Madrid Pro Climate Forum not only means committing oneself to continue leading in innovation in environmental matters, but also, to share its innovations, showing other businesses and society as a whole, that it is possible, necessary and beneficial to combine economic growth and protection of the environment.

During the last 14th of April and after one year like member of the forum, SEUR presented its best practices in front of the local authorities and the representatives of the main companies: ecologic fleet project, fleet optimization project, eco-driving training, reduction/reusing/recycling of resources initiatives.

In parallel, SEUR obtained in April 27th certificate ISO 14001 of environmental management granted by AENOR, a Spanish organization dedicated to the development of standardization and certification in all industrial and service sectors. Norm ISO 14001 is the tool of environmental management more extended in the world, with 155,000 certificates in almost 150 countries.

A first solar energy office
On April 7th, SEUR opened in Alicante its first office with solar energy supply through photovoltaic panels. In this installation, a maximum of 700kW of energy will be generated in order to supply electricity for 1.350 people. This installation will mean a CO2 reduction per year similar to the amount of CO2 emissions of 4.000 vehicles traveling from Madrid to Barcelona.

SEUR wants to underline the importance of the 4.5 million euros invested to install the panels which will last between 35 and 40 years and will imply a very high economic saving thanks to the reduction of maintenance and consumption. Besides, solar panels will avoid the emission of 3.000 Kg of SOx (sulphur oxides) and 1.000Kg of NOx (nitrogen oxides) - substances responsible for the acid rain and the city pollution also called “photochemical smog”.

Two agreements in line with the sustainable development commitment of SEUR
SEUR signed a cooperation agreement with Ambi Pur- Antena 3 group (the first Free TV and Commercial Radio Communications Group, listed on the Spanish Exchange Market) “stop it” initiative, launched in order to reduce accidents, wanting to reach directly as many drivers as possible (http://www.ponlefreno.com). This joint action implies to distribute Ambi Pur Car Air fresheners with the logo “stop it” and other car gadgets with 10 advices to become good drivers (http://www.temerecesunrespiro.com).

SEUR, as a transport leader, took the opportunity to join this initiative and decided to transmit this message of road safety to all its drivers, workers and collaborators through a useful present which will promote safety on the roads.

SEUR has come to an agreement with the bus company Sarfa in order to open new points of sale in Girona. This agreement will help SEUR to expand its services in Girona, since Sarfa has a wide established network in the province. The agreement involves a more efficient use of resources and a reduction of pick up and delivery times as well as the number of kilometers in its services, according to the Sustainable Development Commitment.

23 April 2009

To achieve the objectives set in the company’s 2009 Sustainable Development charter, different actions have recently been launched throughout the Exapaq network.

From eco-vehicles to eco-driving…
To reduce CO2 emissions, Exapaq has tested electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles and low-consumption diesel vehicles in different regions:

• In Montpellier (South of France) for example, different initiatives have been launched. After deciding to use an ecological vehicle (three-wheeler) for town centre deliveries, since September 2008 Exapaq has been using MEGA vehicles (electric and diesel) for deliveries on the outskirts of town with an electric vehicle. If the test phase is conclusive, the programme will be quickly launched throughout the region and all over France.
• In the town centres of Rouen (North-West of France) and Montpellier, Exapaq is continuing to set up three-wheeler delivery routes; they allow the company to conciliate necessary financial imperatives with the objectives for reducing CO2 emissions.

To reduce energy consumption particularly in terms of fuel, an Eco-Driving training programme has been applied this year for all delivery drivers and Exapaq employees. From 2009, some 300 employees will be trained in responsible driving. It is not just about ensuring better vehicle use to reduce consumption and polluting emissions; it is also a reminder about road safety and respecting others around you, a point that is very important to Exapaq.

.… and eco-consumption
In parallel, awareness campaigns have been launched to reduce the quantities of waste produced by employees and the company in general. Here, it is about being aware of the part everyone has to play, as an employee and also as a citizen, in managing resources such as water, electricity, paper, etc.
Exapaq has for example organised a challenge to collect dead batteries. The objective is to collect 500kg of batteries from throughout the Exapaq network. The components of the batteries will be recycled, thus helping the environment.

Finally, the company’s product documents are printed on "responsible paper" ie recycled paper, or paper from eco-maintained forests.

All of these initiatives are a permanent part of Exapaq’s Sustainable Development policy and should ensure the company’s ISO 14001 certification in 2010.

SEUR GeoPost is taking part in GeoPost SA’s initiative to raise awareness about waste reduction from 21st to 28th November 2008.

The Spanish company took advantage of the 9th Congreso Nacional del Medio Ambiente (National Environment Congress) to organise an internal awareness campaign about reducing waste. This year the congress took place in Spain with the theme “Taking action is the challenge”.
Every day from 1st to 5th December 2008, SEUR GeoPost employees received an email encouraging them to reduce their everyday waste at workplace through simple actions.
The campaign’s objective was to increase everyone’s commitment to sustainable development and involve staff in a responsible approach. SEUR GeoPost also launched an internal competition, encouraging people to recommend ways and actions that would reduce the company’s impact on the environment. This is a great way of encouraging employees to understand that “taking action is the challenge”.

 

DPD in the UK has won the top industry award for environmental improvement, which was presented to Charlie Shiels, Director of Hubs, Linehaul, Risk and Transport by HRH The Princess Royal Anne, at a Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport industry event attended by many top customers.

DPD in the UK was voted best for reducing our CO₂ emissions, recycling materials and involving our staff in our environmental awareness programmes.

The judges commented “The DPD approach is holistic and thorough and included all aspects of logistics and transport operations and improving results on site wastage. Their innovative approach included modified aerodynamic trailer design, movement activated lighting for offices, site management and even recycling their own redundant building materials from their new superhub site. Their approach commends itself to all companies operating in the logistics sector. In a time of soaring fuel costs they demonstrate a rigour to control energy costs.”
The judges also appreciated the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental improvement, being the first parcels carrier to invest in high volume double-deck vehicles to transport parcels using fewer vehicles. They also recognised the new value-added services including sms texting to advise of delivery in advance for more right-first-time deliveries and fewer delivery journeys meaning less fuel and lower carbon emissions.

DPD Schweiz has submitted a construction application to the Buchs local authority (a town near Zurich) for the construction of an exemplary new, environmentally friendly hub.
According to the plans drawn up by DPD Schweiz, a U-shaped warehouse complex with 28 truck delivery docks, 99 pick-up gates and an office building will be constructed on the 20,197-square metre site. The buildings are designed to facilitate later expansion.
Construction will begin as soon as the legal building permit has been received. The plan is for DPD Schweiz to take over the logistics centre on 1 October, 2009. CEO of DPD Schweiz, Georges Champoud, is delighted with the company’s good relations with the Buchs local authority, which offered help in providing sustainable environmentally friendly solutions. “Sustainable development is the DPD Schweiz leitmotif,” emphasized Champoud.

Sustainable energy thanks to powerful photovoltaic technology
OMEGAPLAN AG (specialist in the construction of retail and service centres) will utilise its experience with sustainable construction for the new logistics centre in Buchs. According to the plans, 100 per cent of the centre’s energy will be produced from renewable sources. This energy will come from heat recovered from ground water and solar panels in the plant’s own photovoltaic plant. Some 125,000 kilowatts of energy will be produced every year on a solar area almost 1,000 square metres in size. When drawing up the plans, efforts were made to ensure the building complex and grounds harmonise with the surrounding environment. Greenery will be planted on the roofs of the warehouses.
The land use was continually refined and optimized over the course of the planning project. The U-shaped logistics centre will take up less space than anticipated in the original plans. In short, the service providers will have an approximate gross are of 5,931 squares metres on which to build.

Low road traffic
According to calculations, the amount of traffic to and from the logistics centre will be the same or less than the amount of traffic passing through a residential area. Some 10 trucks and 70 to 100 delivery vans will arrive at the site every day, in addition to employee vehicles. This means the centre will be associated with approx. 500 trips every day. Alternative uses of the industrial park (e.g. service centre, retailers) would result in a far higher level of traffic.