"Green" policy as a basic postulate of Strauss Adriatic's business

- The initial investment amounted to EUR 100,000, and only during the first season, savings of EUR 83,000 were made, which repaid 80% of the investment. Heating costs have been drastically reduced, since with the introduction of this heating system, we have reduced the consumption of LPG to a minimum. The use of chaff briquettes as an energy source provides not only financial but also environmental benefits because their use reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 11%, and the products of biomass have no harmful impact on the environment; this also solves the issue of waste disposal. The annual processing of raw coffee yields about 120 tons of coffee husk that heats the factory - Petrovic continues.

The proposal to use the coffee husk came from one of the company's employees and is an outstanding example of the application of Kaizen, the Japanese business philosophy applied by the company. Kaizen is based on the principle that all aspects of business should be constantly improved, with optimal use of all available resources, with an emphasis on the development of human qualities. As it is a continuous process, focused on constant improvements, the care for the environment remains the backbone of the business in the Simanovci factory.

In order to improve working conditions, increase productivity and safety, arrange office space and improve communication among employees, Strauss Adriatic is among the few companies in Serbia that has been applying the Kaizen business philosophy for many years. Employees, from managers in high positions to hygienic staff, are motivated to make suggestions, encouraged to suggest the best solutions to certain problems they encounter during their work process. It would be said that the care for the environment ends there, but it is actually just beginning.

Borivoje Petrovic points out that only during this summer, two "green" projects were completed. First, additional solar power plant of 66 kW was installed, so that now the total capacity of installed solar panels is 109kW, and the project of heat recovery has been completed on the air conditioning system of the production facility.

- Heating on coffee grounds was the first in a series of exceptional environmental projects aimed at achieving sustainable business and "green" goals. On the roof of the Doncafé factory in Simanovci, two solar power plants have been installed that have the capacity to produce almost 100kW of solar energy. The rest of the electricity we use from the network comes from 100% renewable sources, for which we receive a certificate from EPS as an annual confirmation. This kind of "green" electricity has a slightly higher price than regular one, but regardless of that, it is our determination to set an example to others with our actions and to be a driving force in this area. In this regard, we have become a member of the Green Alliance, a group formed by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, which aims to develop a circular economy and share positive examples of practice. We have started a project to replace part of our vehicle fleet with hybrid vehicles. We drive the change "from within". Disposable plastic products, such as cups and straws, have been discarded. Personalized EcoCareCup sugar cane cups have been provided for each employee, a press for plastic bottles has been installed, and individual waste bins in the offices have been replaced with those for sorted waste - notes Borivoje Petrovic.

He adds that by continuously investing in environmental protection, the company is also working to improve energy efficiency. Taking into account the emission of harmful gases, water consumption, energy consumption and creation of municipal waste, the highest standards of the Strauss Group are respected.