Join us on our journey to become Scandinavia’s most sustainable distributor of polymers.
Sustainability Journey
The road to greater social responsibility
Esvamas sustainability journey
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Environment
Used correctly, plastic is an important and valuable material. It is how we produce, consume and handle plastic that can contribute to environmental problems. For obvious reasons, this is the area where we have the most items on our sustainability to-do list. At the same time, it is also within the environmental field that we have already achieved the most.
What we can and should do: Prevent pollution / Protect the climate / Promote circular solutions and sustainable use of resources
Preventing pollution / Working for the climate
What we do
We are members of the Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) programme, which helps companies address pellet leaks through key recommendations. We have also encouraged our partners to become members, if they are not already.
From 2022, we measure emissions from our transport. This allows us to monitor improvements over time. Customers can also access data related to their transport.
We already operate almost exclusively with fully loaded vehicles when collecting material from the continent, in order to transport as much weight as possible per transport or truck.
We work with local warehouses for smaller deliveries/orders.
All our company cars are electric.
We provide access to electric vehicle charging for all employees.
The limited waste we produce is recycled properly.
Carriers choose sea or rail over road transport when this option is available.
We have developed policies covering business travel, transport choices, restaurants, hotels, and conference bookings.
We encourage our property owners to purchase green electricity.
We offer our customers different transport solutions depending on what is most important to them (price, low emissions, or fast delivery). You can read more about this here.
What we should/can do
The total amount of emissions generated by our activities must be measured. This includes emissions from:
- The materials we sell
- The transport services we purchase
- The office
- Business travel and overnight stays
Promoting circular solutions and sustainable use of resources
What we do
We have developed a deposit system – RETURN, where we commit to buying back all the materials we sell to our customers.
We focus on increasing the volumes of recycled materials sold.
We buy back packaging (pallets, material bags, etc.) left over from our materials to ensure it is recycled and used in new products. We take responsibility from start to finish – not only for the product, but also for the packaging.
We offer to help customers manage production waste or end-of-life products when needed or requested. We grind it down, granulate it (if needed), and return it to the market so the material can be used in new products.
We regularly discuss the importance of circularity and sustainability internally.
The breakdown in kilograms sold between recycled, NTP/OG and virgin materials shall be quantified.
We measure the total amount of material we help to recycle.
We help spread knowledge in society, for example by visiting schools and participating in public debate.
What we should/can do
Develop a calculator to assess the environmental impact of different materials.
Continue to build on our knowledge base of recycled materials and the processes behind them.
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Human rights
Human rights are the starting point for everything we do and the cornerstone of our actions and operations. In the West, human rights are sometimes seen as an issue that only concerns developing countries. However, there is much to be done here, by all countries and companies. Throughout the value chain – from the first subcontractor to the final customer – we can and should have an impact.
In our document The Esvama Commitment, we have developed internal guidance on how to act in several of these areas. We use this document as a basis for ensuring that our suppliers comply with applicable requirements and laws. We do this by obtaining their CSR policies or other governance documents. Suppliers with CSR policies and similar documentation are given priority over those without.
What we can and should do: Safeguard human rights / Promote equality, equity and diversity / Avoid complicity / Address grievances / Identify risk situations / Safeguard fundamental principles and rights at work
Protecting human rights
What we do
We adhere to internationally recognised human and labour rights and standards, which apply to all our employees.
We do not tolerate discrimination against anyone on the basis of their ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political opinions, family status, social origin or any other such characteristic.
We do not accept any form of harassment, including violence, sexual harassment, punishment or abuse of any kind.
We do not allow forced or child labour.
We respect the right of our employees to organise, to join or not join associations and unions, and to bargain collectively with the company. Where necessary, we seek to facilitate other forms of employee representation.
Promoting healthy working conditions
What we do
Freedom under responsibility and flexibility, both in terms of working time and place. This enables a better work-life balance for employees.
Trust in employees leads to greater commitment in return. Our employee survey shows that this is appreciated.
We care about building the team and giving employees that “little bit extra”. This makes work more enjoyable and, in turn, more sustainable. We organise team-building days, Christmas and summer parties, and similar activities.
We have policies in place and conduct employee surveys to manage working conditions and measure employee well-being.
We offer additional benefits, such as a wellness allowance and massage, and regularly provide lunch.
We hold regular staff meetings to ensure that employees’ wishes, requirements and expectations are understood – and vice versa.
Promoting equality, equity and diversity
What we do
We strive to reflect the communities in which we operate. Our differences allow us to explore different perspectives and challenge our thinking, contributing to better decision-making.
Diversity, for us, includes different aspects such as gender, age, skills, experience, culture and personality.
Avoiding complicity
What we do
We ensure that we are not directly, indirectly or passively complicit in human rights abuses.
We refrain from taking advantage of situations where others violate human rights and speak out and seek to influence when this occurs.
Handling grievances
What we do
We have mechanisms in place to quickly detect and address any misconduct, and to help ensure it does not happen again.
Identifying risk situations
What we do
We pay particular attention to human rights in situations where the risk of violations increases. For example, when we trade with companies in countries that do not share our view of human rights, or when our operations use resources that may compete with people’s need for clean water or other basic necessities.
We want to be a positive force for the protection of human rights by offering solutions in these situations.
Safeguarding fundamental principles and rights at work
What we do
We ensure that our employees, and the employees of our suppliers, have humane working conditions.
We do not tolerate forced or child labour.
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Business ethics
Business ethics concern how we conduct our business, our responsibilities as entrepreneurs, our impact, ethical conduct, and respect for the law.
In our document The Esvama Commitment, we have developed internal guidance on how to act in several of these areas. We use this document as a basis for ensuring that our suppliers comply with applicable requirements and laws. We do this by obtaining their CSR policies or other governance documents. Suppliers with CSR policies and similar documentation are given priority over those without.
What we can and should do: Fight corruption / Participate responsibly in politics / Compete on a level playing field / Promote a sustainable value chain
Compete on a level playing field
What we do
We support free and fair competition in the market. This is in our interest and benefits society as a whole.
We believe that all companies should be able to trade and compete with us as they wish, as long as they follow local laws and regulations just as we do.
We are never involved in setting prices artificially high or low, or participating in other practices or agreements that restrict competition.
We do not exchange confidential information with competitors.
Working towards a sustainable value chain
What we do
As far as possible, we seek to ensure that what we purchase for the company comes from businesses that are sustainable and respectful of human rights, the environment and society at large.
We ensure that products can be traced if problems arise and that everyone involved can act responsibly.
Responsibility for our suppliers
What we do
We encourage our suppliers to act accord
We expect our suppliers not to accept corruption, and to comply with relevant environmental, human rights and labour legislation.
We encourage our suppliers to implement measures to ensure that their products and services have as little negative impact on the environment as possible and do not adversely affect human health or society.
We encourage suppliers to implement certifiable quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems.
We regularly monitor suppliers’ sustainability performance. Failure to meet our requirements may result in requests for improvement or termination of the collaboration.
Quality and product responsibility
What we do
We aim to meet our customers’ requirements, needs and expectations by delivering services and products of the right quality.
Our products must meet agreed, legal and health standards in terms of use.
The information on how to use the products must be correct and clear.
We work systematically. Certified quality management systems in accordance with ISO 9001, and/or industry-specific certification systems, should be in place at suppliers where relevant.
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Working environment
Our work environment management is about working together to create a safe and secure workplace for everyone, with a proactive and long-term approach.
In our document The Esvama Commitment, we have developed internal guidance on how to act in several of these areas. We use this document as a basis for ensuring that our suppliers comply with applicable requirements and laws. We do this by obtaining their CSR policies or other governance documents. Suppliers with CSR policies and similar documentation are given priority over those without.
We work in the following areas: promoting secure employment and employment conditions / promoting healthy working conditions / promoting dialogue and openness at work / promoting good health at work / promoting personal development at work
Promoting secure employment and employment conditions
What we do
We offer terms and conditions for our employees that go far beyond what is required by law.
We act transparently towards our employees and inform them about the company’s activities and situation. This provides greater security.
By evaluating our suppliers annually, we ensure that:
- We investigate and clarify whether our suppliers offer secure employment and employment relationships in accordance with applicable requirements and laws. This is done by obtaining their CSR policy or other documentation related to the working environment. Suppliers that do not have a CSR policy or similar governance documentation are given lower priority than those that do.
Promoting healthy working conditions
What we do
Freedom under responsibility and flexibility, both in terms of working time and place. This enables a better work-life balance for employees.
Trust in employees leads to greater commitment in return. Our employee survey shows that this is appreciated.
We care about building the team and giving employees that “little bit extra”. This makes work more enjoyable and, in turn, more sustainable. We organise team-building days, Christmas and summer parties, and similar activities.
We have policies in place and conduct employee surveys to manage working conditions and measure employee well-being.
We offer additional benefits, such as a wellness allowance and massage, and regularly provide lunch.
We hold regular staff meetings to ensure that employees’ wishes, requirements and expectations are understood – and vice versa.
By evaluating our suppliers annually, we ensure that:
- We investigate and clarify whether our suppliers offer secure employment and employment relationships in accordance with applicable requirements and laws. This is done by obtaining their CSR policy or other documentation related to the working environment. Suppliers that do not have a CSR policy or similar governance documentation are given lower priority than those that do.
Promote dialogue and openness at work
What we do
We are open and transparent and provide continuous information about our activities, vision and goals.
We are responsive to one another and to incoming ideas.
We have an open and inclusive climate, with employees who are coached and supported.
We hold regular Monday meetings, providing opportunities for both management and staff to raise issues.
We have open doors.
We listen to employees, understand their needs, and address them. One way we do this is through employee reviews.
We are proactive and hire ahead of capacity when needed.
The ISO 9001 quality management system helps us work in a structured way and in accordance with defined processes, including with regard to our employees and their needs.
We challenge routines and work to establish best practice.
Our employees are given space to work independently within a clear framework. This promotes personal development, supports open dialogue, and requires openness.
Promoting good health in the workplace
What we do
We offer a wellness allowance, massages, and the opportunity to train for an additional week’s holiday.
We have safety rounds to ensure a good physical working environment.
We have new, fresh premises.
In the case of teleworking, we support the costs of ergonomic adjustments.
To promote our corporate culture, we have developed values that guide our operations: Humble, Dedicated, Meticulous.
In order to keep sick leave low and to prevent or shorten sick leave, we collect information on health risks, causes of sick leave, and the frequency and extent of sick leave.
Promoting personal development in the workplace
What we do
We offer a wellness allowance, massages, and the opportunity to train for an additional week’s holiday.
We have safety rounds to ensure a good physical working environment.
We have new, fresh premises.
In the case of teleworking, we support the costs of ergonomic adjustments.
To promote our corporate culture, we have developed values that guide our operations: Humble, Dedicated, Meticulous.
In order to keep sick leave low and to prevent or shorten sick leave, we collect information on health risks, causes of sick leave, and the frequency and extent of sick leave.
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Customers
Customers need factual, unbiased information to make informed and sustainable choices. It is therefore important for us to communicate with clarity and transparency at all times.
We focus on these areas: promoting good marketing, information and contractual practices / promoting safe products and services / promoting sustainable consumption / protecting customers’ personal data and privacy
Promote good marketing, information and contractual practices
What we do
Contracts: we always issue sales and purchase orders for all materials we buy and sell. For all major expenditures, we have written contracts.
Marketing: we work with a marketing agency and we never promise more than we can deliver. When we market our products, we stick to the facts.
What we should/can do
We will inform our customers about the environmental impact of their purchases from us (emissions from transport and materials).
We will develop a calculator to show the total CO₂ impact of different materials.
Promoting safe products and services
What we do
Traceability: all materials in new products that we sell are 100% traceable. A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is always provided, and the materials are REACH registered. There are no exceptions.
For Near to Prime (NTP), off-grade (OG), and recycled materials, there is no CoA and therefore not the same level of traceability. We are always clear when a product is NTP/OG or recycled material, so customers can use it in applications that are suitable for its intended purpose.
Regardless of whether the material is new or not, customers always receive information about the known material properties (e.g. MFI, density).
MSDS/SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are available for all materials.
We measure and monitor customer complaints.
Promoting sustainable consumption
What we do
We believe that, more often than not, plastic is the best material choice for a sustainable future. This is based on LCA analyses that have been carried out and show this to be the case.
One of the main characteristics of plastic is that it can be recycled, and this is where society needs to take significant steps. We need to improve plastic collection (instead of littering), and the plastic that is collected needs to be managed so that as much as possible can be reused rather than incinerated. To support this, we have developed the RETURN deposit scheme, where we assign a value to the plastic we sell to increase incentives for collection and recycling.
We help and encourage customers to recycle material they cannot or do not dispose of themselves by milling and regranulating it.
We create activities to raise awareness of plastic as a material and how to reuse it instead of littering.
Through our “Sustainability Journey”, we act transparently with our stakeholders, enabling them to follow our progress and see the benefits of plastics through good examples.
What we should/can do
Build the Esvama Circular Solutions brand and use it in public debate and promotion.
Protecting customers' personal data and privacy
What we do
GDPR: We have a policy that clearly governs this.
Server/IT: We work with a cloud-based server where the service provider ensures adequate protection. This is also reviewed on an ongoing basis by our IT provider. A VPN is used for remote connections.
Microsoft 365: We use two-factor authentication.
Click on each topic to read more about how we work and how we plan to work.
Society
Contrary to popular belief, many analyses show that plastic is often the best material choice for a sustainable future. One of the main characteristics of plastic is that it can be recycled, and this is where society needs to take significant steps. We therefore have an important role in engaging, informing, and contributing to the public debate.
We focus on: engaging with the local community / promoting jobs and skills development in the community / encouraging local entrepreneurship
Engaging in the local community
What we do
We sponsor local sports clubs
We sponsor international associations
We organise litter collection activities together with local schools
What we should/can do
Give lectures and share knowledge about plastics as a construction material.
Promoting jobs and skills development in the community
What we do
We give our employees the opportunity to attend courses and training that align with their profession. This enhances their skills and, in turn, benefits society.
We measure the number of courses and training sessions.
What we should/can do
We aim to grow and create employment both locally and in other countries where we operate.
Encouraging local entrepreneurship
What we do
We sponsor the local business association (HPCS).
We buy Christmas and summer gifts for our customers and suppliers from local businesses.
When possible, we choose to work with local companies (e.g. IT, Vianor).
We support JA activities in secondary schools.
We support new entrepreneurs through the Compass mentoring programme.
We will minimize transport emissions
Esvama purchases a significant amount of transport every year – it is one of the parts of our business with the greatest environmental impact. It is therefore important to us to work closely with our transport partners in order to offer the most sustainable solutions possible.
When we discuss transport, we divide it into three categories that we need to consider and evaluate: environmental impact (CO₂ emissions), lead time, and cost. For us, sustainability is a given, which means that these factors must be weighed against each other to achieve an optimal balance.
If too much emphasis is placed on cost, it can result in customer offers that no one is willing to pay for – which is not sustainable. If we lose focus on lead time, customers risk long waiting times, which can lead to lost interest. And if too little emphasis is placed on the environment, the entire value chain becomes environmentally unsustainable.
We have chosen to prioritise the environment and focus on limiting our CO₂ emissions. Our transport partners plan each individual delivery based on this, and when developing transport solutions, this may involve minimising road transport in favour of sea and rail.
Many people call this “green transport”, but for us it’s ordinary standard transport. According to us, green transport is basically 100 percent fossil-free. This is a choice we have made and when you buy materials from us, you should know that we work hard every day to minimise our negative environmental impact.
We also offer our customers the opportunity to influence their transport based on their priorities. For example, if lower emissions are the most important factor, we will look at how transport solutions can be tailored accordingly. As a customer, you can already access information about the carbon dioxide emissions associated with your transport. If you are interested, please contact us.
However, we will never accept lowering low-emission requirements simply to reduce costs. We do not believe this is a sustainable approach.
In our sustainability report, we report annually on total transport-related emissions. We believe in transparency and cooperation at all levels in order to reduce average emissions year after year.
