In order to preserve our planet and its resources, we must think in longer-term and more sustainable dimensions than ever before. BSH is in the process of transforming the classic linear economic model into a circular system. This is associated with numerous – often fundamental – changes affecting the manufacturing of our products, their usage and their take-back and recycling. BSH is driving this development forward in order to offer consumers high quality products that are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.
Reconciling stability and movement was, is and remains the basis for our success. Our exceptional 50-year success story at BSH is the culmination of sustainable, value-oriented corporate governance – and the basis for our corporate culture.
In view of the growing depletion of vital resources and the rising burdens on our ecosystem, we constant seek new solutions to minimize the ecological impact of our products and processes during manufacture.
We develop and manufacture our products in a way that ensures they are safe, environmentally friendly and economical. Our products do not endanger the health and safety of people, and they consciously minimize the environmental impact during the entire life cycle, including recycling and disposal.
To achieve this goal, we consciously avoid critical substances in new products and exclude hazardous substances from our supply chain.
The environmental compatibility of products is an important aspect throughout the entire product life cycle. This also applies to minimizing the follow-on costs when disposing of old appliances. The local BSH sales organizations adhere strictly to the applicable legal requirements in this respect.
Our life cycle observations clearly indicate that environmental impact is higher during the usage phase than in the other phases of a product life cycle due to energy, water and detergent consumption. That’s why BSH gives top priority to developing energy-efficient and water-conserving appliances.
BSH observes legal obligations in relation to substance restrictions. It also makes sure that specific hazardous substances classed as harmful to health and the environment, and hence undesirable in home appliances, are avoided – even if no statutory substance restrictions are in force. The basic prerequisite for recycling management is that only clean materials are used – materials without critical additives or heavy metals. In terms of product design, BSH is therefore breaking new ground to close the material cycle and protect important and valuable resources for further use. Furthermore, BSH promotes environmentally-compatible recycling technology through standardization. The aim is to exclude hazardous substances and recover valuable materials from old appliances.
Recycled plastic materials and bio-based materials do not yet have the same technical properties as the new plastic products currently in use. Nevertheless, BSH is examining possible applications of recycled and bio-based materials in various pre-development projects in the product divisions and assessing them in terms of costs and competitive advantages. The aim is to be able to replace crude oil-based plastics in the long term.