Corporate social responsibility

Group Gheys supports the search for sustainable solutions for the major challenges facing the world today. Climate changes are already affecting the world, the oceans are becoming increasingly polluted by plastics and CO2 emissions are still rising.

Our vision on Corporate Social Responsibility is that, in addition to our economic activities, as a company we must not be afraid to focus on the health of people and the environment. Not only are our strategic decisions influenced by these values, the social and environmental impact are also taken into account in our day-to-day operations.

In addition to investments in alternative energy sources, Group Gheys is constantly modernising its fleet of vehicles and rolling out various initiatives aimed at significantly reducing (plastic) pollution, waste and CO2 emissions.

As a member of Cefic, Group Gheys supports the Responsible Care programme, has signed the 'Operation Clean Sweep' Charter of PlasticsEurope and is a member of the 'Antwerp Zero Pellet Loss Task Force'.

In doing so, Group Gheys wants to take its responsibility in the preservation of our planet.

In our commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% by 2030, 2022 was taken as the baseline year. The report of our CO2 emissions for 2022 can be found in 'Gheys - our co2 footprint'.

Consumption of electricity

BLC Beringen is the biggest consumer of electricity within Group Gheys. In addition to powering the packaging and bulking plants, electricity is also used to power the two new semi-automatic warehouses.

Our approach

• Group Gheys invested in the construction of 3 wind turbines on the BLC Beringen site. They cover about 70% of its own electricity needs. The remaining 30% is ‘green’ electricity and is purchased.
• Newly purchased forklift trucks and reach stackers have an electric motor instead of the traditional gas drive. This results in a 48% CO2 emission reduction.
• The warehouses and silo parks will be fitted with LED lighting, representing a reduction in consumption of 45% and 61% respectively.

Waste

Pellet bulking results in a lot of residual plastic and cardboard packaging material that cannot be reused.

Our approach

• Used cardboard and plastic are stored separately and then recycled by a specialised company.

Pellets are always lost in the bulking and packaging process. They can end up being spread around the work floor.

Our approach

• We are constantly working on smart solutions and improvements to existing installations to minimise the loss of pellets.
• We also invest in cleaning equipment to collect and recycle the lost pellets as efficiently as possible.

Recycling

We generate waste that can be recycled and/or reused.

Our approach

• We work as much as possible with specialised companies that recycle our waste or reuse it for other applications. Each year, this concerns 14,500 pallets, 427 tonnes of packaging materials, 138 tonnes of plastics, 10 tonnes of metals and 1,943 tonnes of miscellaneous waste products.

Water consumption

Belgian Cleaning Center - Group Gheys' cleaning station - uses an average of 230 m3 of water per week to clean bulk trucks. In the truck-wash an average weekly consumption of 15m3 is measured.

Our approach

• BCC is equipped with its own water treatment plant where the consumed water is purified to drinking water quality.
• Maximum use is made of rainwater in the tank cleaning and truck wash, which is collected in a separate storage tank.
• The water drainage on the BLC Beringen site is equipped with oil and pellet filters because we aim to only discharge pure water into the public sewer system.

Transport

The ecological impact of transport on people and the environment is an established fact.

Our approach

• A decisive factor when buying new traktors is fuel consumption. By choosing the 'best-in-class' brand, we manage to reduce fuel consumption by 7%.
• Another factor that is taken into account when buying new traktors is maintenance frequency. The result is a 39% reduction in the use of motor oil. The waste oil is collected by a specialised company that recycles it.  
• We drive with full traktors as much as possible, both for the outward and the return trips.
• We offer our customers the possibility to transport their containers by barge from the port of Antwerp to our logistics centres. By opting for container transport by barge, a 50% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is achieved compared to road transport.

Collaboration with subcontractors

Transport Gheys works with a number of subcontractors in whom we have full confidence. They drive under the flag of Gheys and guarantee our good name as a reliable transport partner.

Our approach

• All our subcontractors are screened on various criteria before a long-term collaboration is started. To be considered as a preferred subcontractor, they also have to agree with our business values and promote them in their company.
• We encourage them to launch their own CSR programme and to sign the OCS charter.

Equal opportunities

Gheys gives everyone the same opportunities regardless of nationality, sex or religion.

Our approach

• Our recruitment policy results in the employment of almost as many women as men in administrative positions at Gheys. 1 in 4 operators and drivers has an immigrant background.

Charity

Gheys considers it its duty to help the weak and needy in society.

Our approach

• Group Gheys supports many local initiatives such as Truckers voor Kinderen, de Witte Mol and donates written off ICT materials to local schools.
• In addition, Gheys supports various care centres and NGOs, including Red Cross Flanders, Doctors Without Borders and the food bank.