RECYCLING IS
NOT ENOUGH
THE ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF HUMAN
ACTIVITIES IS A CRUCIAL ISSUE TODAY. FOR THIS
REASON, WE NEED TO REFLECT ON THE
CIRCULAR ECONOMY’S PRINCIPLES
T
he idea of a circular economy is
becoming an integral part of sustainable mobility. It looks beyond
the current extractive industrial model of take-make-waste and aims to redefine growth from the use of resources.
“We are looking for new ways of developing, producing and using carbon-neutral and circular products and services.
I consider it a key contribution by ŠKODA
to offer sustainable mobility solutions to
our customers. That's why we are exploring ways to integrate this concept
into our ŠKODA Green Future strategy”, says Friederike Kloeckner, assistant to the Board Member for Technical
Development.
“Basically, we are at the beginning.
We’ve put together a cross-functional team that is looking beyond the status quo of developing and producing
cars. We started work on a white paper and invited experts to understand
the implications of shifting from a linear
Pavel Grmela
PSU – ECOLOGY AND
OCCUPATIONAL
PROTECTION
to a circular approach in the context of
ŠKODA AUTO. We are all invited to ask
ourselves, ‘How can I contribute?’” explains Pavel Grmela from the PSU – Ecology and Labour Safety department.
ŠKODA AUTO already thinks and acts
circular in many areas. One tangible example is the second life project of batteries from our electric cars. ŠTĚPÁN VORLÍČEK
As part of the ZEBRA
Improvement Program,
ŠKODA AUTO employees
can contribute with
their idea to improve
sustainability, for example,
in the Plastic Pitfalls
motivational campaign.
From the viewpoint of
the circular economy, one
of the projects currently
being implemented at the
carmaker can be followed.
Thanks to the Tritan bottles
that the carmaker distributes
to its employees to improve
their drinking regime, we
are reducing the amount
of waste in the form of
disposable PET bottles. The
outcome, however, largely
depends on whether our
employees decide to use
these washable bottles
or not.
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY AT
ŠKODA AUTO
Three key principles based on those
of the Ellen McArthur Foundation will
guide us towards a circular economy.
In short, it is the transition to a system
in which we will:
RAW
MATERIAL
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
RESIDUAL
WASTE
PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTION
CONSUMPTION
DISTRIBUTION
3. Regenerate natural systems
We will not only protect our
environment but may even improve
it, too.
LINEAR ECONOMY
RAW MATERIAL
16
ŠKODA MOBIL FEBRUARY 2020
PRODUCTION
1. Keep Products and Materials in Use
Enable systems to extend life time and
get materials back so they do not end
up in a landfill.
Examples: Ground limestone from
our Paint Shop is used for the
desulphurisation of flue gases at the
ŠKO-ENERGO heating plant. It is also
used in the construction industry. Our
mobile filtration systems extend the
life cycle of oils. Recycled thinners are
used to clean our Paint Shops. Waste
cardboard is used to package parts at
our CKD Centre.
2. Design out waste and pollution
Design and development ensures
that waste and pollution are not
created in the first place. We design
products and components so that
they can be re-used, repaired and remanufactured.
COLLECTION
VERSUS
EFFICIENT AND
HIGH-QUALITY
TREATMENT OF
WASTE FOR RE-USE
WILL REQUIRE BOTH
NEW TECHNOLOGY
AND SOPHISTICATED
LOGISTICS AND
A LOT MORE HANDS
AND BRAINS TO
MAKE THESE
CHANGES.
CONSUMPTION
WASTE