Sustainability
As a family-owned company from the Emsland region, we are committed to the Weser-Ems region, its people, and their environment.
That is why we want to help shape our region’s circular economy sustainably and actively support a strong, vibrant Weser-Ems region, its people, and our employees.
We are pleased that in January 2025, Augustin Entsorgung was honored by the Energieeffizienzagentur Landkreis Emsland (EEA-EL) as one of ten companies to receive the “Climate-Conscious Company” award. This award recognizes our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability at all Augustin locations. Our efforts toward climate protection and resource conservation encompass a wide range of initiatives.
Innovation & Technology
Sustainability and environmental protection hold great importance for us. That’s why we invest specifically in forward-looking technologies, develop innovative solutions, and challenge existing approaches to break new ground.
Photovoltaics for self-consumption: Over 90% of the electricity produced by our PV system is consumed directly on-site. This not only reduces our ecological footprint but also increases the energy efficiency of our operations.
Transition to electric mobility: By gradually converting our vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, we’re setting a further example for sustainable mobility. We have also installed fast-charging stations for electric vehicles at various locations.
CNG vehicles: To reduce our carbon footprint, we are also increasingly relying on CNG vehicles. CNG produces lower pollutant emissions and a lower CO2 output compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Efficiency
Our goal is to simplify processes, use resources more efficiently, and sustainably improve structures. Through continuous optimization of our operations, we balance ecological and economic aspects.
Use of waste heat: The waste heat from our compressor system at the Meppen site is used efficiently to heat the administration building and the halls.
Replacement of old, inefficient machinery: We continuously invest in modern machinery and equipment to replace older, less efficient machines. This also saves energy through a higher degree of efficiency.
Hall and covered structure construction: By building halls and covered structures, we prevent the leaching of recyclable material bales due to weather exposure, thereby avoiding contaminated wastewater. This in turn saves resources.
Emission protection through halls and covered bale storage.
Emission control: In addition to building halls, we rely on further measures to keep our emissions as low as possible.
These include, for example,
Emission protection walls – Emission protection walls have been built at many Augustin locations in recent years.
Groundwater protection – In recent years, Germany and parts of Europe have experienced extreme weather events. For this reason, we have made higher investments in various measures to improve groundwater protection. Legal requirements mandate, among other things, larger underground shafts and a new pump system. This prepares us for possible future scenarios such as flooding.
Misting systems – Misting systems bind fine dust particles, causing them to settle on the ground and preventing them from being stirred up again.
Sustainability report and energy management report: – Quality management according to ISO 9001 was already introduced at the first Augustin Entsorgung locations back in 1999. With the update to the standard planned for 2026, climate protection and sustainability will also take on essential importance here. Even now, the effects of climate change are being assessed in our risk management, and investments are being made in measures to mitigate these effects.
Since 2016, Augustin Entsorgung has also been certified according to ISO 50001 Energy Management. Here too, the focus is on the conscious use of energy sources.
As early as 2025, we voluntarily prepared a CSRD-compliant sustainability report. This only became mandatory for the company in 2026.
The interdisciplinary consideration of these areas (quality management, energy management, and sustainability reporting) gives Augustin Entsorgung a comprehensive picture of its own potential and opportunities for developing measures aimed at conserving resources and minimizing its own carbon footprint.
Climate-friendly shipping of business mail – To reduce the CO₂ emissions caused by our business operations, Augustin Entsorgung also relies on emission-reduction measures when shipping business mail.
In 2024, we sent nearly 65,000 shipments to our customers. For these shipments, we used Deutsche Post’s “GoGreen Plus” service. According to Deutsche Post’s calculations, this avoided or reduced a total of approximately 1,106.59 kg CO₂e in 2024.
This figure is based on the system boundaries and calculation methods defined by Deutsche Post. According to Deutsche Post, the service finances investments in emission-reduction measures within the logistics network (“insetting”). This includes, among other things, the use of electric vehicles and alternative fuels in transport.
The stated amount does not represent a general claim of complete climate neutrality or emission-free mail shipping. It refers exclusively to the emission impact determined and reported by Deutsche Post for the “GoGreen Plus” service.
Employee programs and sustainable employee leadership – Augustin Entsorgung has been certified as a “family-friendly company” since 2017, works with external partners to monitor and ensure modern standards regarding occupational safety and emission control, and conducts regular employee satisfaction monitoring. We also support and encourage sustainable behavior among our employees through offerings such as e-bike leasing and the company’s participation in initiatives like the “Stadtradeln” (City Cycling) campaign.
Social responsibility – The Augustin Group is committed to actively supporting good projects in our region. That’s why we support interesting projects in the social, sports, and cultural sectors.
An overview of the projects supported by Augustin Entsorgung can be found here.
