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The Environment

Verstegen is right at the heart of the world. We exist thanks to the ingredients obtained from the environment. This means that we show deep respect for the four main elements of the environment: earth, water, air and fire. Verstegen does all it can to protect these elements. For example, all logical and less logical measures have already been embedded into the organisation and set down in an environmental annual report.

We are also concerned about the environment in countries where our spices grow.  We are aware that this is the only way we can guarantee continuity of supply in the future. In conversations with suppliers and during business visits, attention is therefore always paid to the environment. It forms a set element in audits and, together with suppliers, environmental goals are formulated. We will certainly do our bit to promote biodiversity whenever the opportunity arises.

As part of CSR, Verstegen contributes to the sub-area 'Environment' on the following points:

At the moment, we are busy with the translation of new practical examples. Shortly, new articles will be posted online.

Waste collection

The core strategy of Verstegen Spices & Sauces with respect to the environment consists of a number of main thrusts. One of these is the endeavour to continuously reduce or prevent damage to the environment. Ensuing from this is the objective to reduce waste or to present as much waste as possible separated for recycling.

The waste flows are therefore separated into industrial waste, hazardous waste, building and demolition waste, glass, IT material, metal, rubble, paper and cardboard, among other things.

The storage and registration of the waste products are conducted in accordance with the provisions stipulated in the environmental permit. As a participant in the Environment Barometer, Verstegen keeps an accurate record of everything and we achieve a reduction in the quantity of waste every year.

Biodiversity

The world needs biodiversity. Species and ecosystems ensure, for example, the production of oxygen, the decomposition of dead animals and plants, the pollination of plants (including agricultural crops), water purification and the control of pests. For mankind, biodiversity means food, building materials, fuel (wood) and raw materials for clothing (such as cotton) and medicines.

Verstegen’s spices play an important role in maintaining biodiversity. Many of our spices come from Indonesia, for example. There they grow wild or on small plots of land on the edge of the jungle. As a result, they form a buffer between the inhabited world and the wealth of the centuries’ old forests. The cultivation of spices is by definition more small scale and more diverse than such raw materials as palm oil.

Organic production

Organic Spices
Verstegen wants to offer its customers the opportunity to make a conscious choice for organic products.  There is already a very wide range available for anyone wishing to contribute actively to the environment and animal welfare.

Organic farming makes as much use as possible of the techniques and methods prior to 1900, when artificial fertilisers and chemical pesticides started to become popular.  On the area declared suitable for organic farming, no pesticides have been used in the past three years. The standards are tested by certifying agencies such as SKAL. SKAL looks at the traceability and takes samples of the product and of the soil. These are analysed for pesticides and heavy metals. Verstegen is also audited on a regular basis by SKAL and, of course, we are only interested in the best quality when it comes to organic products too.

Organic line
In a world where there is a growing need for honest and sustainable food, Verstegen has developed an Organic line for both the consumer and the professional market. Products which stand for quality, purity, honesty, authenticity and flavour.

The full range has been certified by SKAL. The organic herbs and spices from Verstegen can be identified by means of the green packaging.

Biogasification

At Verstegen, herb, spice and sauce residues are released in preparations and filling processes. Sauce residues are released in particular during the cleaning of the kettles and containers, and when starting up, turning off and cleaning the filling machines. During the cleaning operations, the sauce residues travel via the drain to the Verstegen water purification facility.

But Verstegen also has to deal with waste residues from starting up the machines, where the sauces are in half-full and full containers. The dry production of herbs and spices also releases residual product, for example when emptying and rinsing the filling lines.

Via Verstegen’s waste purification system, thousands of kilos of residual waste a year are collected and then stored in very large plastic boxes. Following collection, these are then taken to a firm that collects bio-energy products. All of these products are taken to companies which use them for biogasification for various power plants. The advantage of this removal method is that the residual waste does not end up in the environment via incineration, but it is actually used to generate energy.

Sustainable fish

Despite all the international agreements and controls, over-fishing is a big problem throughout the world. In a number of cases, the situation is critical; just think of blue-fin tuna or eels. But, fortunately, there are still large numbers of many species of fish. If the fishing industry sticks to the fishing season and the rules, these species will be able to maintain their numbers. For the caterer and fish specialist, it is important to be able to work with good quality fish, which is also sustainable.  We want to be able to enjoy fish not only now, but also in the future.

Fishermen, the government and consumers must therefore work together now to create a responsible fishing industry. The government and fishermen are doing their bit towards this by maintaining the fish stocks, sparing the environment and developing new fishing techniques which limit the by-catch. But the fish specialist and caterer can also make a contribution here. By taking account of the seasons, you add more variety to the menu, you offer an even healthier product and you encourage responsible fishing behaviour.

VIS
In 2010, Verstegen Spices & Sauces issued a special fish brochure entitled ‘Verstegen’s Inspiring Taste Sensations (FISH)’. By means of this brochure, Verstegen not only shows what we mean to the fish trade, but also how the fish trade can serve a delicious fish any time of the year, despite the strict regulations and restrictions.  In connection with this, the food specialists at Verstegen developed a Taste Guide especially for fish. By looking at the taste profile of both the different types of fish and the ingredients, delicious, inspiring taste sensations can be created. The Taste Guide only refers to those fish which are not threatened by over-fishing. A great combination of sustainable fish and sustainable herbs and spices.

FSC paper

All of our paper - copying paper, envelopes, calling cards – is printed on so-called FSC paper, which stands for Forest Stewardship Council. This organisation, made up of interested parties from the business world and environmental organisations, developed the FSC Quality Mark.

This FSC Quality Mark provides assurances that timber and timber products come from well managed forests. The interests of mankind, animals and nature are at the heart of this. In an FSC-certified forest, felling is done carefully, so that the forest continues to exist for future generations too. FSC also considers it important to take into account the rights of indigenous peoples who live in the forest. In addition, the forest workers are given an honest wage and good working conditions.

Green electricity

Sustainable Energy
Sustainable Energy is energy that is not generated by burning petroleum, natural gas or coal, but through clean, renewable sources. Verstegen has been very active in the environmental field for years. Verstegen’s raison d’ętre therefore owes a great deal to the environment. This means that we show deep respect for the four main elements of the environment: earth, water, air and fire.

Energy consumption is inherent to our production process, but the main starting point will always be to seek solutions for recycling energy or reducing energy consumption. Verstegen tries to cultivate awareness for reducing energy consumption, not only in the Netherlands, but also in source countries.

Verstegen makes use of green electricity for all its processes. Green electricity is generated  from 100% hydro. No fossil fuels, which damage the environment and contribute towards climate change, are used to generate green electricity. Hardly any polluting substances are released in the generation of green electricity, making green energy sustainable.

Light sensors
Verstegen’s office premises are also fitted with light sensors. As a result, the lights in these areas will never burn unnecessarily. In this way, we do our bit to preserve our environment.

Environment barometer

The Environment Barometer forms part of environmental management at Verstegen Spices & Sauces B.V. The Environment Barometer is an online measuring instrument that makes it easy and quick to view the company’s environmental score and environmental costs. The data on energy, water, waste, emissions, transport and paper consumption are filled in.

The programme then displays:

  • the total environmental score in one histogram (or pie chart)
  • a cost graph
  • a CO2 meter 
  • efficiency indicators
  • savings tips

At a glance, you can see which environmental aspects, such as energy, waste, emissions or paper consumption, contribute most to the total environmental score and environmental costs at Verstegen Spices & Sauces. In the Environment Barometer, different years can be compared with each other. This sheds a light on the saving and reduction of environmental aspects.

CO2 meter

The CO2 meter is built into the Environment Barometer. When the environmental data has been fed into the Environment Barometer, the results of the CO2 meter can be viewed. For each business activity, the relevant CO2 emission is shown.  The CO2 meter also gives a good indication of the influence of CO2 compensation.

The Environment Barometer is supported by the municipality of Rotterdam and the DCMR Environmental Protection Agency Rijnmond.

Cleaning Sauces department

Voor het produceren van verschillende sauzen met een hoge kwaliteit dient er tussendoor gereinigd te worden. Dit is een belangrijk proces wat automatisch uitgevoerd wordt d.m.v. een CIP (Cleaning In Place) proces. De ketels en het leidingwerk worden volgens vaste stappen gereinigd.

Door het plaatsen van diverse meetsensoren is er met de leverancier van de schoonmaakmiddelen een uitgebreide diagnose uitgevoerd van het gehele proces. De meetgegevens zijn geanalyseerd en het reinigingsproces is verder geoptimaliseerd. Dit heeft geresulteerd in een verbeterde en snellere reiniging. Daarnaast is het verbruik in chemicaliën flink gedaald en de hoeveelheid water wat wordt gebruikt ook.

Verstegen heeft hiermee de kwaliteit van het product verbeterd gelet op voedselveiligheid. Voor het milieu is het ook goed nieuws, minder schoonmaakmiddelen en minder waterverbruik.

Optimised packaging

In connection with the efficient use of packaging materials, Verstegen has launched a  project to optimise the content of Foodservice and Industrial products under the Verstegen brand name.

Herbs and spices are natural products. These can differ considerably from harvest to harvest in terms of specific gravity.  As a result, it is possible that empty space is created in the packaging. From time to time, this can be tackled on a project basis so that the packaging can be filled as optimally as possible again.

The advantages of this are:

• Less use of packaging material per kg product. Thus less damaging for the environment.
• More efficient use of transport, pallet spaces and the filling machine.
• Lower packaging tax.
• The product looks better on the wholesaler’s shelves.

Verstegen vehicle fleet: Field staff

All Verstegen company cars bear an energy label A, B or C and no higher. The drivers of these vehicles receive training with respect to ‘ecodriving’ and are reminded to check their tyre pressure every month. The negative impact on the environment of driving with low tyre pressure relates to the consumption of extra fuel and the accompanying extra emission of pollutants. A second harmful effect is the increased wear and tear on the tyres, as a result of which their life span quickly decreases. This leads to premature replacement of the tyres and more fine dust in the air as the tyres wear.

Planning a good schedule in advance is another attempt at driving as efficiently as possible. In this way too, Verstegen tries to relieve the burden on the environment.

Verstegen vehicle fleet: Transport

Planning package
The department of Transport and Logistics at Verstegen has been concerned for years with the environment. For more than 10 years, we have been working with an advanced planning package. This is used to plan the best routes and the trucks drive as few empty kilometres as possible. In addition to all other means, Verstegen trucks also have a built-in tyre pressure indicator. With the aid of this device, the driver of the vehicle can be warned when his tyre pressure is too low. This not only saves a lot of fuel, but also indirectly reduces the emission of exhaust gases, such as CO2. It also extends the life of the tyre, therefore less rubber waste on the road.

Clean engines
All of Verstegen’s vehicles are fitted with ‘clean’ engines.  This has become a national obligation, partly as a result of the environmental zones in the major cities.  Secondly, Verstegen also invests in the latest technologies for its vehicles. Following Euro 3 and 4, the latest trucks have been fitted with a Euro 5 engine, a few of which are also equipped with the latest EEV technology. EEV (Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicles) engines emit 50% less soot particles than the Euro 5 emission requirements, which took effect in 2009.  This means that the most stringent environmental requirements are met. Verstegen has also fitted all of its vehicles with a soot filter.

Ecodriving
Using less fuel is naturally one of the best ways of saving the environment. Verstegen has already been active for a couple of years in the promotion of ‘het Nieuwe Rijden’ (ecodriving). Once a year, all drivers take part in an anti-skid course, in which attention is also paid to ecodriving.

Water recycling

One of the main things that need to be managed better, not only now, but also and more importantly in the future, is water. The leitmotiv here is how we can secure our water supply in the future too. This is only possible with clever ideas. One of these ideas has already been implemented at Verstegen, within sauce production and dry production. It is the recycling of water, in order to use this water as efficiently as possible.

Verstegen’s CIP installation (Cleaning in Place) is proving to be a truly sustainable factor in practice. The purpose of this installation is to re-clean used Verstegen containers. The CIP installation works in 3 steps. After the container has been positioned, there is a pre-rinse (step 1), followed by a wash (step 2) and then a final rinse (step 3).

The water from the final rinse is re-used as pre-rinse water. In this way, Verstegen saves large quantities of water without this compromising food safety.  About 80,000 litres of water a week are saved in this way!