Carmeuse working to make the world a better place through sustainability initiatives
by Mark Soroka
May 5, 2022
For Carmeuse, sustainability is all about contributing to a better world. As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of lime and limestone products, Carmeuse is committed to protecting the environment while improving the lives of human beings.
“The core of our sustainability vision rests on three domains: people, planet and prosperity,” said Denise Hutchison, Training Manager at Carmeuse North America, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh. “These three domains are very much interlinked and serve as a blueprint for a more sustainable future.”
Hutchison said that sustainability starts with ensuring safe working conditions for all its employees. This Belgian-owned mining company employs over 4,500 staff throughout Europe, North America and Africa.
“We have a zero tolerance for injury and strive to eliminate accidents through a well-motivated, trained and educated workforce,” said Hutchison. “At the end of the day, our goal is for all our staff to return home in the same condition in which they started their day.”
Carmeuse is equally committed to preserving our planet. Carmeuse seeks to optimize its consumption of natural resources while reducing its CO2 footprint and that of its customers.
“We are always looking for ways to provide cleaner air, safer water and improved soil characteristics,” explained Hutchison. “For example, after completing a dig, we strive to restore land to the way we found it or even find ways to improve it. What’s more, we put a priority on preserving biodiversity in the environment.”
Hutchison added that environmentally and socially responsible companies can achieve prosperity by adopting sustainable business practices.
“By offering our customers the highest quality products and services, we are helping them to achieve a high output with profitable margins,” she said.
To take this vision of people, planet and prosperity one step further, Carmeuse has aligned nine of its goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Each month, Carmeuse focuses on a different SDG, and we seek input from our employees so we can apply those goals to our business operations,” said Hutchison. “Our staff have offered some great ideas for sustainability. For instance, we have found ways to reduce our consumption of paper and improve the quality of drinking and wastewater.”
EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, has awarded Carmeuse with a Silver 2021 Sustainability Rating. Based on 21 criteria, the evaluation comprises four domains: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis recertified multiple entities of Carmeuse worldwide and also gave Carmeuse’s Canadian network a Platinum rating.
Carmeuse is also heavily invested in supporting sustainability activities throughout the Pittsburgh area. Among its initiatives, Carmeuse has sponsored various Western Pennsylvania Conservancy green spaces projects and it has partnered with the Urban League to upgrade several baseball fields.
“At Carmeuse, we feel it is our responsibility to give back,” said Hutchison. “Together, we can make the world a better place for everybody.”
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