As the world’s response to climate change continues to gather pace, the tech sector is emerging as an industry which must undergo massive transformation.
If the critical 2015 Paris Climate Agreement target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius is to be met, it is clear lots must change.
Digital accessories provider Trust International is determined to help drive that change and has put sustainability front and centre of its strategic thinking.
“In our industry, we have the capacity to have an enormous impact on the environment – we are determined to make it a positive one,” says Anouk Harmsen, Communication and Sustainability Consultant at the organisation.
Part of the growth strategy
“We want to make fair digital accessories the new norm. Fair for people; fair for the planet; at fair prices.
“We realise we only just got started and we have a long way to go, but we are trying every day to be more corporately responsible. So much so that it is now one of our four core pillars of growth.
“It feels good to be making a difference and of course it makes commercial sense too.”
“We believe it is possible to create sustainable products at affordable prices; making sustainable choices persuasive for everyone.
“With increasing energy and transportation costs, it’s certainly a challenge but it is one we are committed to.”
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Trust has chosen to focus its sustainability strategy on three United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – namely, climate action, responsible production and decent work for all.
It has a bold ambition to be carbon-neutral by 2030 and circular by 2040.
Reduce, re-use, recycle
“The consumer electronics industry’s linear economy must become less dependent on declining resources,” says Trust Sustainability Manager Wieger Deknatel.
“Only by recycling these resources can Trust grow responsibly. Our efforts are focused on removing as much as possible, reducing where we can’t, and recycling what is left”
Last year alone Trust achieved a 37 per cent reduction in its use of plastic packaging and in June last year it introduced the first of many upcoming products made from recycled materials: the GRS-certified Atlanta Laptop Bag ECO, made from 18 recycled bottles.
Everyone on board
“To make it work, it needs to be embedded in the culture of the organisation as part of everyone’s job, not a time-limited project. At Trust, everyone is on board; from the CEO down,” says Harmsen.
“We have a ‘Green Team’ comprising colleagues from all of our sites around the world – committed members of the workforce who are champions of sustainability and who act as ambassadors,” says Deknatel.
“That includes China where the production sites are located and where we can achieve a more positive impact with the team.”
Decent work for all
Trust also delivers on wider, people-centric sustainability initiatives.
It strives to create an environment in which employees of all ages and backgrounds feel safe and can thrive; with many tools and activities introduced to contribute to employee development, health, and engagement.
To encourage decent working conditions in the supply chain, it has embedded a Code of Conduct as a contractual condition which outlines environmental, labour and governance-related requirements with which suppliers must comply.
Trust audits those suppliers for compliance and supports them with training and capability-building initiatives.
Connecting online
“In addition – and by their very nature – many of our products are also contributing to the wider societal shift towards remote and connected working which helps to reduce global commute and transportation emissions,” says Deknatel.
- To learn more about Trust, its products and its determination to fairly produce digital accessories, visit www.trust.com/sustainability
