Environmental sustainability: a priority
Smeg has been adopting policies for some years now which target the ongoing improvement of company values in terms of environmental sustainability.
In fact, Smeg HQ has become the symbol of this green approach.The company's commitment to the environment consists of a particular focus on the ecological aspects of designing and manufacturing domestic appliances. The idea is to ensure maximum performance while keeping energy consumption to a minimum.
GREEN HQ
The Smeg Head Office has been named one of the most innovative buildings in Italy thanks to its intelligent consumption management and sustainable development policies. Designed by the architect Guido Canali, it won the Modena Domotics Competition, part of the "Bio-architecture Week" held in the city in 2007.
The Smeg head office will be presented at the 13th International Architecture exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2012 as an example of Made-in-Italy architectural excellence. It is a structure attentive to the poetics of the surrounding territory, the lives of the people within and around it, and to environmental sustainability.
Designed according to an integrated system which makes the most of available funds and resources, the company offices and plants are equipped with some of the most modern automated technology on the market. Safety, distribution and transport systems are all extremely efficient.
Finally, electricity and climate control are optimised to help protect the environment.
If any further proof was needed, the conscious decision not to build on more than 30-33% of the site, thus conserving the surrounding habitat (or actually improving it, since 4000 plants have been added), shows Smeg's care and concern for its local environs and people who live near the site.
RESPONSIBLE DESIGN
Smeg ovens, hobs, coffee machines, cookers, dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers, hoods, sinks, refrigerators and freezers are all designed with environmental considerations in mind.
The greatest emphasis is placed on the choice of materials, such as steel, glass, aluminium and brass, which can be easily recycled using carefully-planned separate collections.
In addition, Smeg fully complies with the stipulations of the EU directives RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances), going further than just the minimum requirements.
The RoHS directive places stringent restrictions on the use of hazardous materials and substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium VI, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
REACH
The REACH regulation concerns the handling of chemical substances and aims to ensure that human health and the environment are protected to the fullest extent.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
The Smeg Group operates in line with sustainability criteria, from the selection of eco-compatible suppliers and the use to recyclable packaging to the use of alternative means of transport/haulage.
Smeg has always felt strongly about ecological issues and over the last few years has significantly reduced pollutant emissions and consumption of resources such as water, electricity and packaging materials in relation to production.
The company has also implemented an innovative waste management system: the amount of waste produced and its hazard level have both been reduced, and the separate collection of leftover materials destined for recycling or reuse has been stepped up.
For Smeg, ecological not only means making appliances that have a negligible impact on the environment, but also following a production process which reflects or even improves on existing environmental conservation standards. This is undoubtedly more challenging, but Smeg sees it as a top priority.
GREEN PRODUCTS
High performance and low consumption are features of all Smeg ovens, hobs, dishwashers, washer-dryers, hoods, built-in refrigerators, sinks and coffee machines. Special focus is placed on obtaining the highest energy efficiency class rating in order to help the environment and improve quality of life.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
Smeg's support for environmental sustainability and social responsibility can be seen in its Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE) policy, which fully complies with UNI EN ISO 9001, UNI EN ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. These are all compatible with one another, enabling their easy integration into the three management systems.
UNI EN ISO 9001 This is a standard which outlines the requirements for the adoption of an quality management system in order to help companies improve their production and management processes, ensure product quality and increase customer satisfaction.
UNI EN ISO 14001 This is a standard which outlines the requirements for the adoption of an environmental management system and provides guidelines that companies can follow when drafting corporate policy on eco-sustainability and pollution. The certification focuses on optimising the use of energy and natural resources and quality systems for waste disposal.
OHSAS 18001 certification shows that Smeg has voluntarily implemented a sound occupational health and safety management system.
