Responsibility for people and the environment
In the 21st century, the question we all must ask ourselves is: How can we make sure that all our activities do not come at the expense of future generations? We have learned that resources are not infinite. We must ensure that we are working with what we have in a manner that is responsible. We carry responsibility not just for ourselves, but for the world in total. Sustainability is the key to handle this task. This is especially true for a company that is shaping the future of battery technology – which is what VARTA is doing.
As a technology leader, innovative pioneer in important growth markets of lithium-ion technology, market leader in hearing aid batteries and market leader of primary batteries with around 1.5 billion alkaline batteries produced per year, we are aware of our responsibility. With our commitment to Germany as a production location and our plants in Ellwangen, Dischingen and Nördlingen, our focus is on environmentally friendly and resource-saving production and products, the quality and safety of our battery cells, the motivation and promotion of our employees and social commitment.
Environment & Resources
At VARTA, environmental protection is an integral part of corporate goals
Responsibility for the environment is manifested throughout the entire life cycle of our products. We place uncompromising demands on environmentally friendly development and manufacture and require our products to be safe and have a long service life, whereby sustainable disposal represents a key factor. Thanks to pioneering technologies, we can reduce any long-term impact on the environment, or even completely avoid it. With our own environmental protection guidelines, we set higher standards than those specified by legal regulations.
In connection with the distribution of batteries and accumulators and with the delivery of devices containing batteries or accumulators we are obliged to inform you of the following in accordance with the official battery regulations:
- Batteries must not be disposed of in household waste
- You are legally obliged to return used batteries
- You can return batteries free of charge after use to the point of sale (or e.g. to municipal collection points or retailers)
Batteries that contain harmful substances are marked with the symbol of a crossed-out waste bin, as shown in the illustration of our batteries. The full legal text of the Battery Act (BattG) can be found on the website www.batteriegesetz.de.
Please help to protect nature and save valuable resources. Therefore, hand in your used batteries for disposal at the many collection points.
Sustainable – for an intact environment
Only with sustainable concepts for ecologically safe production and environmentally compatible products can the growing need of society for an intact environment be fulfilled. A major contribution to sustainability is made by VARTA products due to their innovative technological structural features, design, environmentally compatible use of materials, and efficient, virtually total recyclability. Our certified environmental management system ensures compliance with highly stringent in-house guidelines at every process step.
Environmentally compatible products
We assess possible environmental impacts of our products during product development over the entire life cycle; We strive to conserve resources through economical material use, recyclability and reusability.
Competence and protection of employees
Through information, qualification and incentives the sense of responsibility of all employees for environmental protection is regularly promoted and expanded.
Environmentally friendly production
In production, our focus is on advanced technologies with integrated environmental protection procedures, saving resources and reducing emissions.
Trustworthy partnership
We are working with the supplier industry to follow equivalent environmental guidelines. Cooperation with qualified waste disposal companies until final disposal of the waste is a key obligation for us.
Energy efficiency
We pay attention to the consumption-optimized use of energy and resources in all research and development activities as well as in production.
Reduction of specific energy consumption
We strive to continually reduce specific energy consumption and increase energy efficiency in a continuous improvement process.
Resources
Our management ensures that the necessary financial and structural prerequisites for resource conservation are met.
Employee participation
All employees are included in the implementation and execution of the energy management system.
Energy impact
The energy effects of our production processes are examined, assessed and, if necessary, optimized. The focus is on energy efficiency in the development and acquisition of new production plants. The use of new technologies in the production and processing of our products ensures that the energy is used efficiently.