Labelled an ecodynamic*** company since 2019, Sibelga is taking steps to actively reduce its carbon footprint.

On the road to low-carbon mobility

Sibelga has around 400 vans for the work of its technicians in Brussels. In December 2021, almost half of them were already running on CNG or electricity, the result of an active policy of greening the fleet. “All vehicles for which there is a ‘green’ alternative will be gradually replaced in the coming years, before the 2025 deadline imposed by the Brussels-Capital Region,” says Grégory Navet, Fleet Manager at Sibelga.

In addition, executives who have a company car now have the choice between plug-in hybrid, CNG or electric vehicles only. They can also benefit from the mobility budget. This fiscal measure allows them to allocate the budget for their company car to sustainable means of transport and/or housing costs near the company and to a cash bonus.

Finally, the Sibelga site is a real open-air laboratory for electric mobility. At the end of 2021, there were about fifty charging stations of different brands on the Sibelga site. These installations make it possible to test different recharging solutions and innovative systems such as intelligent recharging systems.

A second life for out-of-use computer equipment

Since 2021, Sibelga has been working with the company Out Of Use to collect, recycle and/or revalue its IT equipment. This Beringen-based company collects old equipment, tests it and reconditions it, before finding a new use or purpose for it. If the product is not reusable, they recover as much raw material as possible. To do this, Out of Use works with social workshops.

In September, 272 kg of material (computers, mobile phones, tablets, batteries, etc.) belonging to Sibelga were handed over to Out of Use. In collaboration with Natuurpunt and Natagora, a tree is planted for each computer or each batch of 4 mobile phones collected. In total, 93 m2 of forest will be replanted in nature reserves in Flanders and Wallonia.

Raising staff awareness of sustainable procurement

For several years, Sibelga has systematically included environmental criteria in the specifications for its calls for tender and public contracts.

Various actions have been taken to take this approach even further in 2021. Staff members have had the opportunity to take part in training courses on sustainable purchasing. The objective? To raise their awareness, answer their questions and give them concrete tools to make more conscious purchases. Some 50 employees actively participated.

In addition, a charter for the purchase of eco-responsible goodies has been defined. It includes a checklist of criteria to be applied when ordering gifts and gadgets bearing Sibelga’s colors.

“Buying in a more sustainable way not only reduces our carbon footprint and the use of materials, it also encourages our suppliers to think and act in a more sustainable way,” says Ona Vanden Bergh, Environment and CSR expert.