Volkswagen Group Italia is committed to the collection and recycling of exhausted batteries and small WEEE
On World Earth Day (April 22nd), Volkswagen Group Italia invited its employees to bring their exhausted portable batteries and WEEEs (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) to its headquarters. These types of waste, which are often forgotten in the drawers at home instead of being managed correctly, contain precious raw materials that, if treated properly, can be recovered and reintroduced into the production cycle, creating new resources, according to the principles of the circular economy. The projected was created in collaboration with the Erion Energy and Erion WEEE Consortia, to which Volkswagen Group Italia is associated, and with the support of AMIA Verona, a company that manages urban hygiene services; 80 kg of exhausted batteries and 280 kg of WEEEs were collected. The virtuous management of this waste has made it possible to save 953 kWh of electricity (equal to the consumption of 3,971 10 Watt LED bulbs switched on for 24 hours); this testifies how all of us, with simple gestures, can have a positive impact on the environment.
The collection was accompanied by training and awareness-raising activities for Volkswagen Group Italia employees on the issues of circular economy and the recycling of WEEEs and waste batteries.
Marcus Osegowitsch, CEO of Volkswagen Group Italia: "It was a further opportunity to demonstrate our responsibility towards the environment and to put into practice one of the cornerstones of circular economy, in line with the sustainability requirements dictated by our environmental policy. In addition, we have decided to make the expertise of the Erion Energy and Erion WEEE Consortia available to all employees, accompanying the collection with an internal information campaign on the importance of the correct disposal and recycling of this waste".
"Each of us can make a difference starting from our daily habits. For years, Erion Energy has been involved in projects to raise awareness on the correct disposal of exhausted batteries and information on the places used for this collection because we believe that change must be supported by information and knowledge" commented Laura Castelli, General Manager of Erion Energy. "At home, in schools, in meeting places and even at work: when we see someone doing the right thing, we too are more likely to follow the positive example. We are really happy to have carried out this project together with a virtuous company like Volkswagen Group Italia, demonstrating that these initiatives are not only important, but give us the opportunity to be better, together".
"We stand by citizens and businesses. We work daily both from a practical point of view by providing for waste disposal and, more generally, hygiene and care of the territory, and from an educational point of view, through projects aimed at increasing environmental awareness and knowledge that each of us can make a difference", added Roberto Bechis, President of AMIA. "We have therefore actively participated in the Volkswagen Group Italia initiative, which is part of our area of intervention."
Volkswagen Group Italia's commitment to protecting the environment and fighting climate change is not limited to this initiative but extends to many other activities. Just to name a few: the supply of 100% electricity from certified renewable sources, the renovation and energy efficiency works of the headquarters (with a transition from class C to A4), the progressive electrification of the company fleet, a day of vegetarian menu at the internal restaurant, company carpooling and bikesharing, the VGIECODAY - a volunteer activity dedicated to the collection of waste dispersed in the environment - and, last but not least, our Oxygen Area – an area of intensive vegetation specifically selected for the high capacity to absorb pollutants and CO2.
Environmental protection is a priority for the Volkswagen Group, which, in line with the sustainability strategy regenerate+, promotes a holistic approach to sustainability, ranging from the constant improvement of production and business processes to raising awareness among employees, who are called upon to make their own contribution both in the workplace and in the private sphere.