A greener shade of grey – Sustainability at Randal Beton
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Sustainability plays a crucial role for concrete plants, as concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world; its production has a significant environmental impact and it is a major source of CO2 emissions.
The purpose of the project, which is carried out together with Randal Beton, is to implement a number of sustainable measures and practices that will contribute to minimize the overall environmental impact of the company and that will increase its social responsibility.
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About the Project
Sustainability plays a crucial role for concrete plants, as concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world; its production has a significant environmental impact and it is a major source of CO2 emissions.
Randal Beton, which is a specialized foundry company that does not involve itself in the production or mixing of concrete, has started a collaboration with the Nordic Folkecenter for Sustainable Energy in the project “A greener grey”. The purpose of the project is to implement a number of sustainable measures and practices in the company, that will contribute to minimize their overall environmental impact and that will increase their social responsibility.
The project “A greener grey” includes the following sustainable areas of action at Randal Beton:
- Energy – electricity
- Energy – heat
- Garbage
- Substitution
- Social responsibility, health and well-being
Randal Beton has identified energy efficiency as an essential part of their sustainability strategy. As a first step, the company has switched to LED lighting in production halls and in the offices; outdoor projectors have also been replaced with LED technology. Further improvements to the lighting will be carried out through cleaning the light fixtures, which will also have a positive effect on the working environment.
In order to reduce CO2 emissions, the company’s director, Jan Riisager, is considering replacing his current hybrid car with an electric car and installing charging stations at the workplace. The company will also encourage employees to buy hybrid or electric cars, and will offer free charging as company benefit. In the long term, the company is considering investing in a hydrogen car.
With regard to heating, the company uses wood pellet stoves and calorifiers, as well as radiant heat for heating in the production halls. Randal Beton has contacted Fredericia district heating to investigate the possibilities of using district heating in the company. Jan is also interested in alternative solutions, such as heat pumps and solar cells, for heating the administration, which is now heated with an oil boiler.
In relation to waste sorting, the company will implement a system in the production halls with better sorting and purchase new containers that will make sorting easier. Residual waste/small combustibles are sent for incineration, while paper, cardboard and clean wood are sent for recycling. Concrete waste is crushed and recycled by P. Olesen. There is a desire to use an increased amount of crushed concrete that can be reused in production. The company will continue to investigate the possibility of improving waste sorting and to increase the recycling rate of the waste.
Randal Beton also wants to reduce their use of plastic in production and it is investigating the possibility of replacing glulam boards with other materials that are more environmentally friendly. They are also considering replacing their current diesel truck with a more sustainable electric-powered variant.
In addition, the company will use eco-labelled recycled paper and environmental-friendly labelled cleaning products in the office to further reduce their impact on the environment. This also sends a positive signal to employees and customers that Randal Beton takes their environmental responsibility seriously and wants to make a positive difference.
In addition to focusing on environmental initiatives, Randal Beton is also committed in taking social responsibility, by focusing on the health and well-being of their employees. This will be achieved through a number of initiatives, which will include measures to promote health in the workplace and a focus on creating a working environment that promotes well-being and job satisfaction. The company also tries to support financially and humanly the local community, for example. with sponsorships for the local sports and association life.
Randal Beton is aware of their responsibility in relation to the environment and society as a whole, which is why they have taken the initiative for the project “A greener grey”.
This project represents an important milestone in the company’s journey towards a more sustainable future and it is in line with the global agenda for sustainable development. The project supports several of the UN’s Global Goals, including SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 7 (sustainable energy) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).
Through this initiative, Randal Beton shows a strong commitment in minimizing their environmental impact and increasing their social responsibility, and it is an important demonstration of the company’s long-term commitment to achieve a more sustainable future.
Randal Beton looks forward to continuing their sustainable journey and contributing to a more responsible concrete industry.
Partners
Egeskovvej 161
7000 Fredericia
Tlf. +45 75 92 08 22
Mail: info@randal.dk
Kammersgaardsvej 16, Sdr Ydby
7760 Hurup Thy
Tel. +45 97 95 66 00
Mail: info@folkecenter.dk
News about the Project
- Randal Beton fokuserer på bæredygtighed
Jan Riisager viser delegation fra Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi rundt på fabrikken. Direktør og ejer af Randal Beton i Fredericia, Jan Riisager, fejrer 30 års jubilæum i virksomheden, der har ekspertise i støbning af specielle betonelementer. Virksomheden er 104 år gammel, og ud over de daglige støbeopgaver, har direktøren blikket skarpt rettet mod øget bæredygtighed.
Randal Beton har som den eneste tilbageværende af oprindeligt seks betonvirksomheder i Fredericia 104 år på bagen. Det i sig selv vidner om en vis bæredygtighed, men i en tid med øget klimaalvor, verdensmål og energiudfordringer skal der ifølge direktøren mere end sorte tal på bundlinjen til at for at fremtidssikre sig. Derfor har han involveret virksomheden i et samarbejde med Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi.
– Det begyndte med, at jeg blev spurgt af andre entreprenører, hvad Randal Beton gør i forhold til bæredygtighed? Jeg måtte svare, at vi da sorterer lidt pap og beton og sådan, men kunne jo godt selv høre, at det lod en del tilbage at ønske, siger Jan Riisager og fortsætter:
– Vi skal have indarbejdet en større bevidsthed omkring bæredygtighed. Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi kan bidrage med nogle ting, som vi ikke selv har tænkt på, og det er faktisk en ret stor hjælp. Vi kan som en lille betonvirksomhed ikke gøre så meget ved Aalborg Portlands CO2-udledning, men vi kan for eksempel dygtiggøre os i at genbruge vores formmateriale og armeringsstål, så ressourceforbruget bliver så lille som muligt, siger Jan Riisager.
Randal Beton bygger selv sine støbeforme og genanvender 80-85 procent af dem. Al armeringsstål er genbrugsstål, som bliver leveret fra en lokal virksomhed.
Energi og socialt ansvar
Randal Beton producerer og blander ikke selv beton, og derfor går fabrikkens primære energiforbrug på opvarmning af hallerne, hvor betonen støbes og hærder. Randal Beton anvender cirka 60 tons træpiller om året til opvarmning.
– Træpiller er selvfølgelig bedre end olie, men mulighederne for at overgå til andre energiformer og opvarmningsteknologi som solceller, varmepumpe og fjernvarme er noget af det vi analyserer for virksomheden, siger Gitte Davidsen, der er sustainability manager hos Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi.
Bæredygtighed handler ikke kun om energi, klima og ressourceforbrug, men også om socialt ansvar.
– Mens jeg ikke har været så bevidst om energimæssig bæredygtighed før nu, så har det sociale været mere i fokus. Vi har et nært samarbejde med Fredericia Kommune, hvor vi har taget adskillige langtidsledige ind og hjulpet dem tilbage på arbejdsmarkedet. Vi forsøger at støtte op økonomisk og menneskeligt om, det vi kan, i vores lokalsamfund, bl.a. med sponsorater til det lokale idræts- og foreningsliv.
Det synes jeg er en ret fed rejse, vi har været på der. Endvidere har vi også sponseret hospitalsklovnene i de senere år. Det er dejligt at kunne være med til at gøre en forskel, siger Jan Riisager.
Tre verdensmål
Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi ligger i Thy og er en videns institution med 40 års erfaring i at hjælpe små og mellemstore med bæredygtig udvikling. I samarbejdet med Randal Beton er der primært fokus på tre verdensmål. Verdensmål 3 – Sundhed og trivsel, Verdensmål 7 – Bæredygtig energi samt Verdensmål 12 – Ansvarligt forbrug og produktion.
For yderligere info eller kommentarer
Jan Riisager, direktør, Randal Beton, info@randal.dk, 24 28 38 05
Gitte Davidsen, Sustainability manager, Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energi, gd@folkecenter.dk,
25 46 04 20
