Less disposable plastic at Topdanmark

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the adverse environmental consequences of disposable plastic, especially when it ends up in nature. Topdanmark has decided to reduce the use of disposable plastic, both in the canteen and in other operations.

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the adverse environmental consequences of disposable plastic, especially when it ends up in nature. Topdanmark has decided to reduce the use of disposable plastic, both in the canteen and in other operations.

Phasing out disposable plastic

The process of phasing out disposable plastic was initiated in 2019, and much more is in the pipeline.

Pernille Fogh Christensen, CSR Manager at Topdanmark, informs: ”It’s a process in which we continuously evaluate which products to replace by more environmentally friendly alternatives or altogether remove. To begin with, we have removed the plastic cups. The current cardboard  coffee cups have been replaced by ceramic mugs and neutral cups which can also be used for water. Plastic bags with the Topdanmark logo will be replaced when an environmentally friendly alternative has been found. In dialogue with our supplier, we have also found a more environmentally friendly alternative to disposable gloves.

”It’s a process in which we continuously evaluate which products to replace by more environmentally friendly alternatives or altogether remove.”
PERNILLE FOGH CHRISTENSEN CSR MANAGER AT TOPDANMARK



Small changes in behaviour can also make a positive contribution

The decision to eliminate the use of disposable plastic may seem a small change. But given the fact that Topdanmark previously used more than 340,000 plastic cups a year, this initiative makes quite a difference.

To help the employees reduce the use of disposable cups, all employees can choose an individual cup designed by Danish ceramists. All employees are also given a water bottle. Moving forward, all new employees will receive a cup and a water bottle instead of flowers which has been custom up to 2020.

”As you know, it is really healthy to drink a lot of water during the day. Here, the use of a drinking bottle can help both your health and the environment. If you do not like drinking from a bottle, you can use a regular glass or reuse the cardboard cup all day instead of taking a new cup for every cup of water,” Pernille Fogh Christensen requests.




More than 60% less disposable plastic in office operations

In our office operations, we have more than halved our consumption of disposable plastic from 2018 where we consumed 794,350 units of disposable plastic to 2020 where we consumed 292,161 units.




We support UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12

The initiative of reducing the use of disposable plastic is in accordance with the sustainable development goals that Topdanmark has signed. As a co-signatory of the Un Global Compact, we address how we can contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Through a reduction of plastic consumption, we can i.a. contribute to Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production.




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Contact

REGARDING CSR
Pernille Fogh Christensen
CSR Responsible
phone +45 44 74 40 89
email