Additional box with short portraits:

Lea Hölscher is a biotechnologist and has previously dealt with the topics of product safety, hazardous goods, and work safety in the manufacturing industry. Amongst other things, she is now a waste and hazardous goods officer and supports work safety.

Steffen Gösling is a process engineer and worked in emission control within the regional government before joining Bischof+Klein. He is now responsible for emission control and water protection, amongst other things.

Julian Harmel is an industrial engineer and has previously dealt with the topics of work safety, quality management, and environmental protection in the manufacturing industry. As head of department, he is responsible for the entire topic area of environmental protection, work safety, climate protection, and sustainability.

There are three new faces in the environmental management/safety/climate protection/sustainability department, shortened to “USSI.” The employee magazine talked to Julian Harmel (JH), the new head of the department, and to Lea Hölscher (LH) and Steffen Gösling (SG).

Which topics are currently on your agenda?

JH: We are currently preparing for our EMAS certification, for instance. Added to this is personal familiarization with our respective topic areas. We are also taking the opportunity to review and optimize things.
SG: Noise protection, for instance. We want to remain significantly below the limit values in the long term, which is why we’re taking a close look at the noise register and scrutinizing both the processes and the technology.
LH: Waste disposal is an important issue. We are currently carrying out audits at the waste disposal companies to see which optimization options are available.
JH: These processes can be digitalized and networked. Why not use an app that automatically informs the waste disposal company when the container is full and then also documents and processes the volumes?

In your opinion, what does Bischof+Klein need to prepare for in the future?

JH: Keyword PPWR: The new European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation demands the use of at least 35 % post-consumer recyclate (PCR) in many types of packaging and films. This increases the need for high-quality regranulate that is single-origin if possible. One of the many questions is what role our own regranulate will play in this context. We are also dealing with that.
LH: And, of course, with the issue of how we can essentially avoid more waste.

The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) reporting obligation will apply in the EU in future. What does that mean for Bischof+Klein?

JH: It means a different presentation in the sustainability report for Bischof+Klein. Here, for instance, we are providing support with key performance indicators and the materiality matrix.

We can look back over 40 years of environmental management. Where are we really good?

LH: There is a high level of expertise in the various departments. We newcomers are benefiting from that. We have very good contacts who are deeply immersed in the topic. The EMAS environmental management system is well established at Bischof+Klein.

And where can we improve?

JH: Communication across departments and plants particularly comes to my mind. New tools such as Teams and SharePoint are pushing us in the right direction in this regard.

How can our corporate culture with values such as excellence and proactivity help with the topic of environmental protection?

JH: Each employee at Bischof+Klein should take an interest in environmental protection and sustainability and ask themselves what they can contribute. That’s what I understand by proactivity and responsibility. 
SG: That starts with such simple things as closing windows and switching off lights and continues with sensible waste separation and proper handling of granules.
JH: Sustainability is a highly-topical issue. With the right strategy, we have the opportunity to become a pioneer in the industry – simply to demonstrate excellence.

What are your personal issues?

JH: Our primary objective is to avoid environmental impacts and industrial accidents. We are addressing this together with all of our colleagues.
LH: We don’t want to simply dictate measures, but to develop them together with all involved. We want to exploit synergies. Sustainability and environmental protection do not have to run counter to efficiency and functionality, but can complement one another.
SG: We always receive valuable suggestions and ideas during our USSI checks in all departments. Direct contact and dialogue are important, as we found out at first hand during our visit to Konzell. We can achieve a lot together.