Rawlplug S A : Not letting a single drop go to waste. How do we save water at Rawlplug?

Not letting a single drop go to waste. How do we save water at Rawlplug? Mar 24, 2023

We do realise just how precious a resource water is. This is why we have been undertaking a number of initiatives to reduce its consumption and to promote its reuse. This is part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN, implemented by our company both at the level of individual employee ideas and systemic, company-wide changes.

Even though as much as 70% of the globe's surface is covered by water (after all, this is why the Earth is called the Blue Planet), only 0.12% of this resource is actually usable in agriculture and industry. The situation in Poland is even worse. Experts have been sounding the alarm for several years now and admit quite frankly: our country is drying up, we are facing the threat of a water deficit, and Poland is one of those countries in Europe where water is most scarce, which has a direct impact on the state of crops and on the economy as a whole.

As Rawlplug's headquarters is located right on the bank of the River Oder, concern for water resources is part of our company's DNA. Adopting otters from the Wrocław Zoo and rewilding of nearby green spaces are just some of the measures we have been taking to protect the natural environment. We are aware of the threats our planet is facing, which is why we are actively pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals included in the UN's 2030 Agenda.

Economical management of water, seeking to reuse it and to ensure access to water and sanitation for all are part of the sixth goal set in the document. How do we put this into practice at Rawlplug?

Let's start with some hard facts. The table below shows annual water consumption by Rawlplug S.A. (in m3)

Year	Water consumption (in m3)
2019	145,232.40
2020	129,325.10
2021	133,364.25
2022	128,952.50

Over the past 12 months, we have managed to keep up the downward trend and reduce the amount of water consumed. You can read more about the advantages of not mowing HERE.

Planting meadows instead of pouring concrete

While it might seem that an evenly trimmed lawn is the perfect advertisement for any company, we know that flower meadows constitute a natural ecosystem and provide shelter to many insects. Mowing and frequent watering of lawns means, on the one hand, more atmospheric emissions and, on the other hand, loss of hundreds or even thousands of litres of water per year.

We have "given back to nature" the vegetated strip adjacent to our facility from the south and west, and we are no longer mowing it.

The resulting flower meadow already covers 8,000 m2 and is home to around 375 plant and animal species. In this manner, we promote not only biodiversity but also micro-retention - reducing impervious surfaces makes it possible to retain rainwater in the soil.

Closing the water circuit

Our production process requires cooling water, which we consume in a closed-circuit system. The water enters the treatment system (iron and manganese removal process), next it is pumped through pipes to the mould cooling system and the machinery hydraulic systems, and then it returns to tanks where it begins to circulate again. Whenever water evaporates, we replenish the depleted volume. We discharge it into the sewer system once every two to three years.

Sustainable water management at the Łańcut plant

At Rawlplug Group's Fastener Manufacturing Plant in Łańcut, we obtain water for production purposes from our own intakes (five deep wells). Some of the water used in the zinc plating process is not discharged with other wastewater, but captured and sent for treatment to a local station suitable for this purpose. The recovered water is subsequently cycled back into the process, thus significantly reducing the amount of new wastewater generated and of fresh water used in production.

The Łańcut plant is also making increasing use of rainwater. Three 10 m3 tanks were purchased in 2022. They will be used to collect rainwater from roofs. Each tank is fitted with a pump system and hose connectors. In spring 2023, the tanks will be installed in the designated locations. The water stored in them will be used to water lawns.

We say a firm NO to bottled water

At Rawlplug's headquarters in Wrocław, employees have permanent access to filtered tap water. Giving up bottled water brings not only tangible savings, but above all a reduction in the amount of plastic waste. Water dispensers with filters, connected directly to the water supply system, make sure that the water is free from heavy metals and chlorine, and is therefore in no way inferior to bottled water. The dispensers also make it possible to prepare carbonated water, so those who like their water fizzy won't complain either.

While wanting to be the brand of first choice for customers around the world, we feel responsible for the future of our planet. We know that every big change has to start with small steps, which is why efforts to reduce water consumption and promote its recycling range from modest, local initiatives to systemic, organisation-wide changes. After seeing the first results of the solutions implemented, we want to act even more effectively and on an even wider scale. This is the intention with which we are entering another year.

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