CO2 reduction management

Hordijk sees one future for plastic: as a 100% circular product. Where the recycled product cannot be distinguished from new. Our guiding principle is 'tray to tray'. So that every used Hordijk salad tray can become the same salad tray again.

Last November we again achieved a good result for the external audit ISO9001/14001 and CO2 reduction management by DNV. The fact that they consider us an example means, among other things, that other companies can come to us with questions about their CO2 reduction management.

Dematerialisation and recycling

One way in which we save a lot of CO2 emissions at Hordijk is through dematerialisation. We look very critically at our product range. Can we make products lighter without them losing their functionality? We also make a lot of use of recycled materials. One example of a new line of recycled PET is OCEAN rPET.

Another great example is our collaboration with an Amsterdam waste processing company. They recycle plastic household waste into a pellet (MDS rPET). And in our factory in Zaandam, we then process these grains into a new food-safe product. Super local, which is also beneficial for CO2 emissions because we do not have to transport the recyclable material far.

Sustainable use of energy

Using energy sustainably is central to everything we do for Hordijk. We generate our own solar energy. We also replace conventional machines with fully electrically driven ones and we purchase more and more energy-saving compressors. This way, we use less and less fossil fuels.

"Plastic packaging surprisingly often has a favourable footprint"

Life Cycle Analysis

For Hordijk, CO2 reduction management is closely linked to an accurate Life Cycle Analysis (LCA): the analysis of CO2 emissions seen over the life cycle of a product. If you look at the entire chain, it appears that plastic packaging surprisingly often leaves a more favourable footprint than other types of packaging (or no packaging at all). A lot of research is being done into this.

A head start on the future

At Hordijk we are aware that companies will have to reduce their CO2 emissions further and further in the years to come. We are therefore great supporters of the Green Deal. We believe that CO2 reduction management is crucial in this. Because we already have this in order, we have a good head start in the market.

About the DNV audit

The certifying body DNV is an independent expert in risk management and quality assurance. ISO14001 is a certification for environmental management systems, as is the audit for CO2 reduction management. The audit by DNV not only looks at the CO2 emissions of the production process. The whole Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of a product is analysed: from raw material extraction to waste processing. For example, the following are checked:

• The effects of energy and material consumption on the environment.
• The emissions to air, water and soil.

Quality manager Govert van Bodegom:

"DNV accreditation is an extra incentive. The fact that we have achieved the CO2 reduction management certificate with flying colours is a nice compliment for all our colleagues," responds quality manager Govert van Bodegom.

Govert: "This way of doing business is very normal for us. Sustainability is our most important core value. Nevertheless, it is nice to receive this confirmation from an external institution. It is an extra stimulus to continue along the path we have chosen.