Our environmental program
Quadient is committed to protecting and preserving the environment. Given our activities, our main environmental challenges relate to our carbon footprint and the impact of our products and solutions throughout their life cycle.
Our environmental policy, formalized in our Code of Ethics, focuses on the eco-design of products, their remanufacturing and the recycling of waste generated by the industrial sites and products at the end of their life, thus encompassing circular economy principles. Our low-carbon strategy defines a framework for all Quadient's entities that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
Take action to combat climate change
Aware of the consequences of climate change, Quadient is committed to making a positive contribution to the global move to a low-carbon economy.
Our long-term ambition is to contribute to carbon neutrality by 2050. To that end, in 2020 we’ve set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets to contribute to limiting the average global warming to well below 2°C, in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. Following the significant reduction of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2019 to 2021, we decided in early 2022 to increase our ambition from the "well below 2°C" trajectory to 1.5°C for Scope 1&2 emissions.
Our carbon reduction targets
- We have committed to reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions (CO2 emissions related to energy consumption and company vehicles) by 50.4% by 2030 from a 2018 base year
- We have also pledged to reduce our Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services, use of sold products, business trips, and employee commuting by 40% per m€ by 2030 from a 2018 base year.
(1) On targeted categories : purchased goods and services, used of sold products, business trips and employee commuting
Our Commitment
Our action plan focuses on areas where we can make the most impact:
Energy and buildings
We are committed to reducing the emissions related to energy consumption by reducing building occupancy, switching to high-efficiency buildings, buying energy-efficient equipment, educating, and challenging employees’ behavior.
We also aim to increase our use of low-carbon energies by our facilities, whether purchased or self-produced. Our ambition is to reach 25% by 2023.
Company vehicles
We strive to reduce the emissions related to our company vehicles by selecting vehicles with lower gCO2 per km, shifting to low-carbon vehicles, developing remote services.
Transportation
We foster low-carbon transportation means (train instead of plane for short-haul flights) and avoid business travels whenever possible.
Quadient commits to offer employees the option of working remotely (teleworking) and adopting flexible work hours, as long as this remains compatible with the nature and purpose of their duties.
Hardware and Digital Solutions
As a responsible producer of hardware products, we aim to extend our efforts in eco-design to all our hardware solutions and maximize the take back and re-use of parts and modules where ever possible in the assembly of our products encouraging a circular economy. Our ambition is to incorporate such parts and modules at least in 50% of mail-related products placed on the market by 2023.
Regarding our digital solutions, we are implementing an eco design approach aiming at reducing their energy consumption. We partner with Cloud Service providers committed to provide carbon efficient cloud infrastructure.
Engaging with partners
We work closely with our logistics partners and vendors to minimize and consolidate shipments, use environmentally friendly modes of transportation, and encourage efficient operations.
We also expect our suppliers and contractors to perform their work with the same integrity with which we conduct our own business.This means complying with our responsible procurement policy, as well as the suppliers’ Code of Conduct, which outlines our environmental requirements.
Measuring our progress
Every year Quadient measures its carbon footprint according to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol methodology, with the results being published in our Registration Document.
The Company has also completed the CDP Climate Change questionnaire since 2009, which allows us to measure our progress and compare to our peers. In 2021, Quadient was awarded a B score (considered a Management level) for its efforts in risk management linked to climate change and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). By achieving a “B” rating, Quadient ranks higher than the average in its industry.
Foster circular economy
Our approach to sustainable design & responsible manufacturing
Quadient is a committed player in the circular economy. The Company has taken into account regulatory constraints by preparing for them ahead of time and transforming them into a competitive advantage.
From the product design phase to end-of-life dismantling, Quadient takes all environmental aspects into account.
Our Sustainable Design and Responsible Manufacturing policy aims at improving energy efficiency, the use of hazardous substances, longevity, recyclability, modularity, and the upgradability of our products to minimize their impact on the environment throughout their life cycle.
Strict eco-design rules have been incorporated into design and development processes. Whether in the choice of materials, the number of components, the ratio between product mass and packaging volumes, sound emissions or energy consumption, eco-design determines the technical specificities in production, equipment in use, and recyclability conditions so as to limit environmental impacts.
We have carried out life cycle assessments on our range of postage meters and folder-inserters. These studies, conducted by independent experts, showed that equipments containing re-used parts and modules results in an environmental gain of up to 50% in terms of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated. Today, all franking machines and folders/inserters ranges benefit from this approach.
Because the product's durability is an essential component in eco-design, the product has to be dismantled, repaired and reused, and the non-toxic materials collected must be easily recyclable.
We are committed to manufacturing and assembling our products to the highest industry standards, respecting responsible environmental practices. We continuously look for ways to improve energy efficiency, lower our greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize water consumption and landfill waste. We work closely with our logistics partners and vendors to minimize and consolidate shipments and take sustainability into account when selecting modes of transportation. As a responsible producer of hardware products, we strive to reduce waste at the source, throughout our manufacturing operations, and ultimately avoid our products ending up in landfills at their end of life. To this end, we have implemented take-back programs for equipment and consumables.
Collected equipment is dismantled in order to extract components, parts and modules that will be re-used where ever possible in the assembly of new products. Further, we commit to our customers that every product shipped will contain the maximum possible percentage of re-used components with no diminished performance. Our manufacturing process presents several benefits for our customers and the environment. Firstly, it extends the life of existing equipment and avoids unnecessary use of raw materials and natural resources. Secondly, it significantly reduces e-waste, as non-reusable components are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. Last, but not least, it improves product performance and reliability by continuously implementing technical improvements generated through the systematic analysis of returned equipment.
Quadient has implemented free-of-charge take-back programs for its customers, to collect the products at the end of lease contracts enabling the extraction of parts and modules to be re-used in the assembly of our products to come. In addition, in some countries, Quadient has joined local compliance programs to manage all products that are not eligible for re-use. The process consists of free pick-up either from our field engineers or a logistic partner for heavy products.
Quadient has also implemented take-back programs for the collection of supplies (ink cartridges) delivered to its customers. This program is also free of charge for our customers and consists in providing a pre-paid envelop to return the empty cartridges to our logistic centers.
Raising employee awareness
Quadient also encourages sustainable practices among its employees to reduce the global carbon footprint and protect the environment. Launched in 2021, a network of green ambassadors, Act4Earth promotes changes in daily habits, providing employees with information and education on natural resources and environmental protection.
Quadient employees participate in various environmental awareness activities worldwide, such as World Cleanup Day, by cleaning up the waste on rivers and streets in our communities.
