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We care about people and nature
ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE PROTECTION
Our environmental responsibility
"How we act today determines what the world will look like tomorrow“
Our philosophy? We walk the talk. As a company, we actively shape the future, moving sustainable environmental and social development forward. This is an integral part of our company vision, and we take responsibility seriously. We implement effective, regional, and global environmental and climate protection measures in our company and through our shops. We consistently evaluate our impact on the environment and the climate, further developing and optimising our initiatives. We're always looking for new, climate-friendly solutions because there is no plan(et) B!
SUSTAINABILITY
Climate crisis – The earth is ablaze
100 corporations are responsible for about 70% of all CO2 emissions worldwide. Our planet is overheating faster than expected. The consequences? More droughts, heavier rainfalls, more floods, more hurricanes. The earth only has limited resources but it consumes the equivalent of 1.75 earth-sized planets annually. About 60% of this is due to excess greenhouse gas emissions that are no longer returned to natural cycles. They cause enormous damage to people, nature and the climate.
Becoming environmentally friendly by taking several eco-friendly steps
We’re looking into all options when it comes to minimising the impact of our business activities on the environment and climate. To that end, we have implemented extensive eco-friendly measures in recent years. Furthermore, we strive continuously to prevent greenhouse gas emissions in the first place while simultaneously reducing unavoidable CO2 emissions as much as possible.
Our carbon footprint - for more fairness
Our carbon footprint is a very powerful indicator of our environmental impact. At niceshops, we calculate our carbon footprint according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards. This determines where we stand and which areas require the most attention or innovation.
Reduced CO2 emissions vs. sales growth
What are we particularly pleased about? We are growing steadily, but we have managed to uncouple our sales growth from the emissions we generate. In comparison to our growth in sales, the emissions we generate have fallen sharply over the last few years. Greenhouse gas emissions per million euros of sales have fallen by almost a third since 2018. We have achieved this by developing a solid basis for avoiding emissions in advance.
SUSTAINABILITY
Avoiding CO2 emisssions …
Green electricity - all systems go!
We meet 100% of our total energy consumption needs at our headquarters using green electricity. More than 50% is sourced directly from our in-house photovoltaic system that spans over the entire roof.
Heating & cooling – energy efficiency with vision
Our main site and logistics centre is largely heated and cooled using waste heat generated by the neighbouring biogas plant. By utilising the unused waste heat, we make sensible use of the potential of renewable energy that is already available.
Building materials – environmentally friendly, future-oriented construction
Wood played a dominant role in the construction of our large logistics centre which was built according to the highest energy-saving standards. In the truest sense of the word. Wood was used wherever possible: from the glued laminated beams to the walls and our in-house bridge. A total of 3,609 cubic metres of wood were used throughout the building. The naturally renewable raw material also makes a statement in terms of its eco-balance: since 1 tonne of CO2 is stored in every square metre of wood, we were able to bind 3,609 tonnes of CO2. By way of comparison, just one tonne of CO2 corresponds to a car journey of 4,900 kilometres.
Company e-cars, carpooling vehicles and bikes – eco-friendly in all aspects
Electric cars have many sound advantages. They are much more environmentally friendly and resource-saving than vehicles with combustion engines, as they do not emit any exhaust gases that are harmful to the environment or our health. In addition, we "fuel" them with electricity from renewable energy sources obtained from our photovoltaic system. We have a large, steadily increasing number of company e-cars and 30 charging stations. Our colleagues have access to a pool of six e-cars, one e-van and seven e-bikes for professional and private use.
SUSTAINABILITY
Reducing CO2 emissions …
Biodegradable packaging – Giving back to nature
Environmentally friendly, compostable and plastic-free - this is our slogan for packaging materials, which we implement at large, with very few exceptions. In addition: the innovative niceshops packages can be reused for shipping and returns. The packaging is designed without any adhesive tape thanks to our one-of-a-kind patent - a solution that was awarded the Austrian State Prize within the packaging industry.
We are currently working on specific ideas on how we can introduce reusable packaging systems for used items or waste materials - all aligning with the Trash-to-Treasure concept.
Kitchen & cooking – big on flavour, zero waste
We take many steps towards environmental and climate protection in the area of "kitchen and cooking". This includes bottles for milk and other beverages with a returnable deposit to our weekly Veggie Day meal offer. Our kitchen philosophy? Local, seasonal and sustainable! We do not generate any leftovers in the kitchen since all the produce is precisely calculated for. We also use up food from our online shops. Our kitchen organic waste is disposed of in a professional manner as follows: leftover food goes to a composting plant, which produces fertiliser. Used oils and fats, as well as the contents of the grease extractor, are collected and processed into biodiesel. The central kitchen at our headquarters has a state-of-the-art design. The cooling systems, ovens and kitchen equipment are designed for efficient and economical energy use. For example, all kitchen appliances operate with thermal recovery.
Mobility & the environment – sharing is caring
Since the use of cars makes a significant contribution towards the overall CO2 emission overall count, we have set up our very own "mobility task force". We initiate and promote various ways to showcase environmentally and climate-friendly alternatives to using cars as a form of transport. For example, we subsidise travel cards for public transport, organise car-free days, and promote carpooling and the use of company bicycles. We also give preference to e-cars or public transport, such as trains for business trips.
Waste & recycling - living responsibly
We draw inspiration from nature’s material cycles whereby nothing is wasted, lost or unused as a model for our waste management concept. We are able to filter out important resources and valuable materials that are transported directly to a recycling plant by separating waste accurately, cleanly and according to the material type.
We are currently working on reusing certain recyclable materials ourselves. Specifically, we use them to make upcycled products that we can use ourselves or sell through our shops. This is our contribution to the circular economy.
Returns – less is more
Our product return rate accounts for less than 3%. On the one hand, we strive to uphold product quality to avoid returns altogether. On the other hand, we are continuously working on accurate data analysis to avoid transport damage, thereby avoiding returns. Goods do not simply end up in the rubbish. We inspect and repair returned products and recycle everything in the best manner possible.
Bike courier service – Emission-free last-mile-shipping
We offer Same-Day and Next-Day shipping in Vienna and Graz, Austria. The parcels are delivered via bike couriers at no extra charge. A climate-neutral alternative that relieves urban traffic. We are currently working on expanding this offer.
Climate-neutral shipping within the DACH country region – green logistics
Parcels are delivered in a climate-neutral manner and by bike couriers within the DACH region.
Regional humus cultivation – we reap what we sow
In southeast Styria, we support farmers in cultivating their fields. Together with the Humus+ project based on the Kaindorf ecoregion, we demonstrate how more humus can be built up in the soil. Humus binds enormous amounts of CO2. Additionally, the risk of flooding decreases because the soil absorbs more water and plants are better equipped to survive during drier periods.
We only have one planet – let's take responsibility for it together!
We are facing a host of crises, be it environmental, climate or extinction of species. Where do we begin and how do we rectify the situation? A turnaround is needed which begins with each and every one of us. First and foremost, we need to take charge. There is so much that we can all do to save our planet. The commitment and drive at niceshops demonstrate what is possible when it comes to climate and environmental protection. We all help shape the future with every step taken and every decision that is made. We want to encourage and inspire you to work together with us towards sustainability. We can accomplish it - together!
