How sustainability works
22.10.2019 - The Blue Angel called for "World Ecolabel Day 2019". A good opportunity to focus on those companies that have been complying with and setting environmental standards in accordance with the Blue Angel for years. Steinbeis stands for sustainable products and production methods and sets a good example here.
On 17 October, more than 50 countries celebrated their ecolabels as part of "World Ecolabel Day 2019". Products and services labelled with ecolabels such as the Blue Angel have been proven to protect the environment and health. Steinbeis products have also been awarded the Blue Angel - and for good reason.
The paper produced by Steinbeis is subject to the strictest requirements. This starts with the procurement of raw materials: Only materials that are harmless from an ecological and health point of view may be used. In order to guarantee these environmental standards, checks are carried out along the entire supply chain. In this way, the company creates the greatest possible transparency and traceability.
The method of sustainability has a long tradition at Steinbeis: long before environmental protection and resource conservation became a trend topic in the economy, the paper manufacturer completely reorganised its production back in the 1970s and has been offering high-quality products based on 100 per cent recycled paper ever since. To achieve this, innovative raw material and procurement concepts had to be developed, new production standards set and technologies implemented. The new cycle-based production set standards for the entire paper industry.
"Paper made from paper" - Steinbeis has been developing its paper products according to this principle ever since. Whether printing and copying paper or magazine and digital printing paper - all product formats are made exclusively from 100 per cent recycled paper. The use of recycled paper conserves valuable resources such as wood and water. In addition, Steinbeis favours energy-efficient andlow-CO2 production. Since 1990, specificCO2 emissions have been reduced by 68 per cent and specific energy consumption by 24 per cent since 2000.
The company operates the most modern recycled paper mill in Europe at its site in Glückstadt. Here, two paper machines produce more than 300,000 tonnes of high-quality paper every year - all from waste paper. This is possible because the company has the most modern waste paper processing plant in Europe. A highly efficient waste paper and residual material sorting system, a processing plant for substitute fuels and a state-of-the-art power plant with combined heat and power generation for environmentally friendly, industrial in-house energy production also make an important contribution.
Steinbeis thus leaves a particularly environmentally friendly footprint at every stage of production right through to the end product - which can be returned to the cycle. The Blue Angel on every Steinbeis packaging is proof of this.
The Blue Angel has been the German government's environmental label since 1978 and is awarded by RAL gGmbH. The award criteria DE UZ 14 a and RAL UZ 72, which are regularly reviewed and further developed, apply to recycled graphic paper. Recycled paper with the Blue Angel is made from 100 % waste paper and neither chlorine nor halogenated bleaching agents may be used. In addition, there is a clear limitation and exclusion of certain chemicals in paper production. All auxiliary materials must be authorised in accordance with the XXXVI Recommendation (Food and Commodities Act of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment BfR). The Blue Angel is therefore one of the most valuable and strictest environmental labels.
Cover picture: Steinbeis Papier GmbH
