Sustainability

While we are aware that our activities may potentially impact on the environment, we aim to restrict this impact to a minimum. For this reason, all relevant environmental impacts are verified by continuous monitoring of environmental aspects. These monitoring activities are focused on energy, waste, operating materials and supplies, and waste water. Provided that operation is guaranteed in compliance with the relevant approvals and that statutory regulations and limiting values are adhered to, we assume that no significant environmental impact is to be expected in the vicinity of our site.
In the field of transportation and logistics, we endeavour to work in association with our customers and suppliers to ensure the optimum use of resources. The efficiency of our environmental policy is continuously monitored by means of key performance indicators and reviewed by internal and external audits.

Walter Schneider GmbH’s water requirement is covered by the municipal water utility. The main water consumers are our barrel finishing plant, pickling department, wastewater treatment, water for sanitary uses and service water. The volume of water used is continuously measured and the results entered in the system of environmental key performance indicators. Wastewater produced by the operation of our production facilities is pre-treated in our own in-house wastewater treatment plant, and enters the public sewage network only after monitoring. Adherence to limiting values set by local authorities is assured by internally performed regulatory checks and by externally commissioned wastewater analyses.

The disposal of waste is managed in the company in accordance with the principle “prevention before recycling before disposal”. Waste is sorted at source and separated into suitable collection bins. It is then placed separately according to waste codes in the central waste collection point and removed for recycling or disposal by specialist disposal companies. The transportation of hazardous goods is carried out in the waste disposal area by external specialist firms.
The division managers are responsible for ensuring that waste occurring within their sphere of competence is duly sorted and collected. Waste verification and the waste balance sheet are dealt with by an external disposal service provider, who advises departmental and division managers with a view to implementing the introduction of suitable measures to reduce the incidence of operational waste.
All employees are required to endeavour to avoid, continuously reduce or recycle waste, to take part in the industrial waste collection system and to treat all waste in accordance with the instructions.

Our corporate policy fosters the creation of a working environment which not only complies with statutory requirements but poses the lowest possible risk to our employees and the environment and cultivates a high level of employee satisfaction. As early as the process planning stage and the procurement of production facilities, the latest occupational and environmental safety findings are taken into account. Regular tours of inspection are carried out both by internal and external experts in order to discover and eliminate any deficits and to determine any scope for potential improvement. Walter Schneider is supported in this endeavour by an impartial external safety expert. Key issues such as noise protection, handling hazardous materials or the prevention of accidents are discussed and scrutinized during regular meetings, and suggested solutions are implemented.