This is a policy guide when it comes to sustainability and environmentally friendly business practices that helps the business continually improve when it comes to environmental, social and economic areas. The Charter works together with VOKA, the Chamber of commerce. Kris Jans, the quality manager at Veiling Borgloon, says that the first leg started in 2011. "At that time, we started investing in ULO 22 to renovate the old existing cooling leads. The second leg was in 2012 and it was ULO 27's turn. We also renovated the old cooling leads on this one. The 'cooling renovation' cost a total amount of 1 million Euro. Every leg took around a year and we are going further with the third sustainability leg in the middle of 2013."
All of the cooling systems using ammonia
"We just finished, ULO 27, which was the second leg. We decided with this one that all of the cooling systems would be switched over to ammonia. One of the systems in our department was running on Freon and it was also switched over to ammonia.
The main reason for renovating the cooling system was to be pro-active in preventing leaks. Leaks or the escape of ammonia in the cooling can lead to huge environmental damage. Another part of the second leg was to replace the lighting in the supply sheds. They are now lit with the newest generation of TL-lights and we have switched from 72,000 to 23,000 watts. By using these new lamps, we have actually increased the light intensity, we use less and save a great deal. The investment cost 50,000 Euro and we have doubled this within five years."
Responsibly Fresh
The 'Charter' is a Flemish initiative specially for the province of Limburg. Belgian Auction houses joined the V.B.T (Belgian greenhouse auctions union) and have made a commitment to Responsibly Fresh and the ‘Charter’ is an ideal tool to reach the goals of Responsibly Fresh. The ‘Charter asks for extra's, not practices required by law, but practices that are good for people and the planet. The Charter consists of 10 themes and a company needs to achieve at least four. Products with the Responsibly Fresh trademark are grown with attention to equality between people, the planet and profit. We, as Veiling Borgloon are extremely proud to be the first auction for Belgium that holds this Charter for 2012, and are the first to carry the Responsibly Fresh trademark."
For more information:
Kris Jans
Veiling Borgloon
Kernielerweg 59
B-3840 Borgloon
T. +32 (0)12/670 100
F. +32 (0)12/745 071
www.eburon.be
Kris Jans
Veiling Borgloon
Kernielerweg 59
B-3840 Borgloon
T. +32 (0)12/670 100
F. +32 (0)12/745 071
www.eburon.be
