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In the previous blog, we looked at how the forward-thinking approach at our Puente la Reina factory is reaping benefits across productivity and sustainability. This included how the site has achieved Zero CO2 site two years ahead of schedule thanks to an intuitive microgrid and 100% of its electricity sourced from renewables since 2019, as well as how it has achieved zero waste to landfill since 2018.
When it comes to sustainability, communicating a shared mission in a way that connects with people can be tricky task. An understanding of the power of the individual and the accumulative impact of small actions needs to be shared by a large group to achieve the desired results.
Now, we look at how the team at Puente La Reina is managing to effectively create a shared commitment towards the environment and hitting Net Zero targets ahead of schedule.
Embracing Sustainability as a Collective Mission at Puente la Reina
Puente la Reina is home to a community of like-minded people, who have all bought into the shared importance of leaving a positive impact on the world around them.
The team at Puente la Reina comprises a group of 350 individuals, from dedicated employees on the factory floor to key members of the leadership teams.
The level of information processed daily and the emotional buy-in across the team needed to maintain a successful operation is huge. However, it is within the realm of sustainability initiatives led by passionate people that Puente la Reina truly distinguishes itself.
Key Message: People = Progress
The vast volume of information and data collected by software across our factory ultimately acts as a starting point for conversations and strategies amongst the sustainability team at Puente la Reina to see real progress and development.
While strategy and decisions around sustainability are led by a select group of skilled professionals, the true driving force behind progress made at Puente le Reina lies in the emotional buy-in and dedication of the entire Navarra team; it is their passion, commitment, and active involvement that plays crucial role in bringing the sustainability vision to life.
It is thanks to their input that a number of ambitious measures have been implemented across the site. For example…
- We’re making significant progress in our sustainability efforts by transitioning the plastic raw materials of our sockets from virgin materials to recycled ones. Notably, ranges such as Odace have already embraced this positive change, marking a pivotal shift towards a more environmentally conscious approach.
- We’re on our way to reaching the ambitious goal of achieving 50% recycled material usage by 2025. This bold target underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and reflects our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint.
- We are proud to have three switches and sockets series – Odace, Ovalis and New Unica – certified by Cradle to Cradle, an esteemed global standard that meticulously evaluates products. Cradle-to-cradle considers critical aspects such as material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and the social fairness of products.
- Another important action underway is the elimination of all single-use plastics, a challenge already started and due to be complete by 2025. This includes re-thinking spaces within the factory, such as canteens to remove items like plastic cups, plastic cutlery, non-recyclable packaging and more.
- Alongside these broader ambitions and actions, the site’s Biodiversity programme empowers individuals to fully embrace their collective role in nurturing their environment. From planting trees, to creating butterfly oases and bat boxes to share with local schools, the people who help make Puente la Reina what it is every day are actively engaging with different but similarly crucial elements of sustainability and environmentally conscious behaviour.
These significant milestones highlight our ongoing pledge to create products that not only meet high-quality standards but also prioritise environmental stewardship and social responsibility, all of which is highlighted and measured in the sustainability report we launch last year.
But, even with high level production practices in place to increase energy efficiency and a team of motivated individuals proactively engaged with biodiversity, there is still another level possible that we can achieve.
Strengthening Local Community Engagement for a Greener Future
Today, the team is casting the net even wider to bring others in from the local community, so everyone can benefit from their expertise and passion for advancing sustainability.
In recent months, Schneider Electric has actively collaborated with the Puente la Reina City Council and the Gares Energía energy community to champion and advance community-driven initiatives focused on preserving the surrounding environment.
Thanks to this agreement, the three organisations are working together to fight against climate change by working in an ecosystem, taking advantage of the activities and purposes of each one of them, and promoting a renewable, local and citizen participation energy model.
As the Puente la Reina Factory is situated in a historically significant area, renowned for its natural ecosystem, one notable initiative set up as part of the collaboration agreement was the establishment of a dedicated pathway, providing access for hikers to explore the “Fuente de los Clavos”.
Additionally, the factory has played a pivotal role in the creation of an observation point for the local community to enjoy stargazing. These initiatives not only serve to protect the local ecosystem but also make the area more accessible and engaging for residents and visitors alike.
It is this undeniable commitment to bringing people together in the name of progress that has helped Schneider Electric’s Puente la Reina site become a true leader when it comes to sustainability.
The future of Puente la Reina and Schneider Electric
From here, there is a clear road ahead for the Puente la Reina team to lead an even greater sustainability charge, underpinned by a bold, ambitious strategy that is adopted by Schneider Electric globally.
In the short term, aims include achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, but the challenge does not end there.
As Schneider Electric aims to achieve net-zero operational emissions by 2030 and a net zero supply chain by 2050, the team at Puente la Reina will be continuing striving to ensure their contribution is made through a shared commitment, embodied by each and every individual on site.
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