29-07-2020
Press Release 28-07-2020
Fachjan aims to continue improving its ‘CO2 high score’
HONSELERSDIJK – Tropical plant nursery Fachjan from Honselersdijk has offset its entire CO2 emissions for the third consecutive year by planting bamboo. Moreover, the company succeeds each year in reducing its own footprint by making conscious choices.
For several years now, Fachjan has had its CO2 emissions calculated by Greenhouse Marketeers. Initially, this was mainly to anticipate possible future regulations, but now it is also driven by a strong conviction, as director Paul Janssen indicates. “We expect that companies will eventually have to comply with various sustainability regulations, and there was already talk of a CO2 tax. We want to stay ahead of that, but we are not doing this to gain anything in return. We also want to be an example of sustainability within the sector.”
Bamboo Planting
Therefore, Fachjan has its CO2 footprint calculated by Greenhouse Marketeers and offers its products under the Fair Flora label, which stands for fair and sustainable flowers and plants. Additionally, all CO2 is offset by planting bamboo through Bamboo Village Uganda. Bamboo Village not only combats global warming through the planting of bamboo forests but also offers the people of Uganda a chance for a better future. The project provides employment and safe, sustainable housing by building homes. “There are now also plans to build Bamboo Villages in other countries, including Guatemala, where many of our plants come from. Therefore, this fits very well with us as a company.”
Improving High Score
Janssen is proud that Fachjan is compensating CO2 for the third year in a row, and the company also succeeds each year in reducing its footprint. “By calculating CO2 emissions, you gain insight into your business operations. We always thought we were doing well because we use few pesticides and apply geothermal energy. But numerous factors negatively affect your footprint, such as the use of peat soil. By seeking alternatives, also in packaging and waste processing, we can reduce the footprint. It’s like a video game: once you start, you always want to improve the high score. We initially did not expect to be so engaged with it, but we are becoming increasingly enthusiastic, and it feels very good to do this. It has become a permanent part of our business operations.”
Incidentally, Fachjan is currently working on the entrance of the company in Honselersdijk to further promote the sustainable character of Fachjan and its products. Additionally, the company uses social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram to spread the message. “Whether customers choose you for that reason is always difficult to determine. But we hope that these efforts reflect positively on us.”
