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(English) Best Practices

Sector
Furniture

Keywords
Solar Power Renewable Energy Furniture Durable Sustainable

From which SME is it?
Glimakra

Location
Östra Göinge, Sweden

Format
Physical

Years of implementation
1968

Website

Abstract

Glimakra is a furniture manufacturer that stands out for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. With a focus on renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, Glimakra minimizes its environmental impact and contributes to the fight against climate change. By relying on renewable energy sources, Glimakra reduces its reliance on fossil fuels, which are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This aligns with their goal of producing high-quality furniture while minimizing their carbon footprint and promoting a sustainable economy.

In terms of methodology, Glimakra follows a holistic approach to sustainability throughout its logistics and production processes. They prioritize the use of renewable energy sources to power their facilities, ensuring that their operations are powered by clean and sustainable sources. By utilizing wind and solar power, they are able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility.

The business model adopted by Glimakra revolves around creating furniture that is not only aesthetically pleasing and durable but also sustainable. They strive to use pure and unmixed materials whenever possible, making it easier to recycle their products at the end of their life cycle. By choosing local suppliers and materials from neighboring forests, Glimakra reduces transportation distances and supports the local economy. Their focus on quality and timeless design ensures that their products have a long life, reducing the need for frequent replacements and further contributing to sustainable consumption patterns.


Relevance

By utilizing renewable energy sources, Glimakra reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the transition to a low-carbon economy by focusing in sustainable solutions to their logistics. This practice aligns with the goal of combating climate change and achieving sustainability targets. By adopting renewable energy, Glimakra demonstrates their commitment to environmental responsibility, which is an essential aspect of ESG.


Concepts addressed within ESG

Glimakra primarily addresses the environmental aspect of ESG, specifically concepts related to climate change mitigation, renewable energy use, and resource efficiency. By relying on wind and solar power, Glimakra reduces its carbon footprint and minimizes the dependence on fossil fuels. This practice contributes to mitigating climate change and promotes the use of sustainable energy sources. Additionally, Glimakra's focus on resource efficiency in furniture production further supports the sustainable use of materials.


Impact & Achieved Results

By prioritizing renewable energy, they have successfully reduced their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigated their contribution to climate change throughout its value chain. This transition to clean energy sources has resulted in a substantial decrease in their carbon footprint, making them a more environmentally responsible furniture manufacturer.

Furthermore, Glimakra's focus on sustainable practices has led to positive outcomes in terms of resource conservation. By utilizing pure and unmixed materials in their furniture production, they have made product recycling easier and more efficient. This approach ensures that materials can be effectively reused, reducing waste and minimizing the extraction of new raw materials. By choosing local suppliers and materials from neighboring forests, they have also reduced transportation distances, resulting in lower carbon emissions associated with logistics.

In addition to their environmental impact, Glimakra's commitment to sustainability has also had social and economic benefits. Their emphasis on high-quality, durable furniture promotes a circular economy and reduces the need for frequent replacements. This not only provides long-term value to customers but also contributes to a more sustainable consumption pattern by reducing the overall demand for furniture production. Their engagement with local suppliers and support for the local economy further strengthens their positive social impact.


Indicators of performance and success

The indicators of performance and success for Glimakra could include the percentage of energy sourced from renewable sources, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the overall energy efficiency of their manufacturing processes. Tracking these metrics would provide insights into the effectiveness of their sustainable practices and their contribution to mitigating climate change.


Certifications

Glimakra of Sweden holds environmental and quality certifications according to ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 standards, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices and customer satisfaction. They also label most of their products with Möbelfakta, a comprehensive product labeling scheme that ensures strict requirements for quality, environmental performance, and social responsibility. Additionally, Glimakra of Sweden Tranås is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), indicating their commitment to responsible forestry practices. These certifications assure customers of the superior quality, environmental friendliness, and sustainability of Glimakra's furniture


Challenges and recommendations

One challenge in implementing renewable energy sources is the initial investment required for infrastructure setup. Glimakra could seek financial support through grants, subsidies, or renewable energy incentive programs to offset these costs. Another challenge is the intermittency of renewable energy sources, which may require energy storage solutions or grid integration strategies. Glimakra could explore partnerships with energy storage providers or collaborate with local utilities to ensure a reliable and consistent energy supply. Additionally, raising awareness among consumers about the environmental benefits of their sustainable practices and the value of eco-friendly furniture could further enhance the adoption and success of Glimakra's initiatives.


Bibliography

Glimakra. (n.d.). Transforming tradition for future generations. https://glimakra.com/en/sustainability/?_gl=1*16t6d1e*_up*MQ..*_ga*Nzk2Mjk2MTY1LjE2ODY2MjY3NzY.*_ga_Y0LCK3RS5N*MTY4NjYyNjc3NC4xLjAuMTY4NjYyNjc3NC4wLjAuMA.. (Accessed on 15th of June 2023)

Glimakra. (n.d.). Forever Young, . https://glimakra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Glimakra_Hallbarhet_EN.pdf?_gl=1*8mk4mf*_up*MQ..*_ga*Nzk2Mjk2MTY1LjE2ODY2MjY3NzY.*_ga_Y0LCK3RS5N*MTY4NjYyNjc3NC4xLjEuMTY4NjYyODQyOC4wLjAuMA.. (Accessed on 15th of June 2023)