Sustainability at UZIN UTZ Nederland

At UZIN UTZ we think sustainability is important. This is demonstrated by our products and packaging, our work processes and our business premises. During the construction of our 'green factory' in Haaksbergen, sustainability was taken into account down to the last detail. For example, our factory is completely gasless and the consumption of water, energy and raw materials is reduced to a minimum. Thanks to our green sedum roof, the factory fits in perfectly with its surroundings and optimum heat, cold and sound insulation is guaranteed.

Roof vegetation offers various ecological, aesthetic and economic advantages, says Sustainability Manager Annette Schumer. "Green roofs retain rainwater and can slow down both total runoff and peak runoff. This relieves the burden on the municipal sewer system. This is emplified by the fact that we, not only efficiently collect and use the rainwater for our own garden, but we also use rainwater for flushing the toilets. We hope to save around 450,000 litres of water a year. Compared to bitumen roofs without sedum, a green roof captures considerably more fine dust, she explains. "Furthermore, CO2 is efficiently converted into oxygen. With a roof measuring around 300 m2 , one tonne of CO2 emissions is already compensated for. UZIN UTZ has 6,000 m2 of sedum roof, which means that we convert around 20 tonnes of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to 1,440 one-way journeys on the high-speed rail line from Amsterdam to Paris, 52 economy flights from Amsterdam to Rome or, in our case, a 9% offset on our business kilometres."

 

Thanks to sophisticated roof vegetation, our building and its surroundings are greatly embellished/improved esthetically. Depending on the location, a building will blend in even better with its green surroundings or it will add greenery to the urban area. Biodiversity is also increased. "The roofs are home to all sorts of plants and insects that have little to look out for on ordinary 'bare' roofs with roof tiles and bitumen," says Annette. "Think of various (flowering) sedums and herbs, but also of bees, beetles, spiders and butterflies, which provide a boost to biodiversity and an extra green experience." Because of the vegetation, a sedum roof is easy to maintain. "Because the plants protect the roof from sunlight, rain and temperature fluctuations, the life expectancy of the roof is greatly extended. Moreover, a sedum roof requires very little maintenance."

The extra insulation and sound-absorbing properties of sedum ensure that people are less bothered by ambient noise. This enhances comfort, as do its excellent insulating properties. A sedum roof retains heat well in winter, while in summer it has a cooling effect. "This makes green buildings not only good for the climate, but also for the people who live, work and play in them."

 

• UZIN UTZ has 6,000 m2 of sedum roof, with 450 m3 of substrate and 120,000 plants.
• Our roof can hold 150,000 litres of water, which is used sustainably for our own garden and for flushing our toilets.
• 25 m2 of green roof can produce enough oxygen for one person. So our roof produces enough oxygen for 240 people.
• 10.000 m2 of sedum roof captures 1.5 kg of fine dust. This means that our roof captures about 1 kg of fine dust per year.
• 300 m2 of green roof converts 1 tonne of CO2. This means that we convert 20 tons of CO2 into oxygen.

Would you like to know more about our green objectives? Then get in touch with Annette Schumer!
E-Mail: annette.schumer@uzin-utz.com