Some Traces Are Best When Not Left Behind
We support climate protection, save precious resources and offer consumers sustainable solutions. Our home appliances offer a variety of ways to make everyday life simple and sustainable. By saving water, energy, and detergent, or by preventing food waste, consumers can also save money and live sustainably at home.
Reducing Our Footprint
We aim to reduce our environmental footprint in all areas of our value stream. That includes both improving the material mix of our products and reducing emissions and energy consumption. Whether it’s sourcing or manufacturing, product use or returns, refurbishment, recycling, or the reuse of our appliances – we review every aspect of our business in terms of its environmental compatibility and potential for improvement on our path to reaching new climate goals.
Since 2020, we have been developing and manufacturing in a CO2-neutral manner at all BSH sites worldwide.
We have identified four levers to achieve this. The two biggest levers for CO2-neutral manufacturing are the efficient use of energy and the use of green electricity. The third and most challenging lever is the substitution of processes that burn fossil fuels.
As a last resort, we offset unavoidable CO₂ emissions with carbon credits. In 2023, the Bosch Group, which BSH is part of, reduced its compensation share to 0.6 million metric tons of CO2. This is 19 percent less compared to year 2022. In addition to our numerous energy efficiency measures, we are constantly improving the quality of CO2-neutral manufacturing by increasing the proportion of self-generated energy and thus reducing the necessary compensation certificates.
Four levers allowed us to achieve carbon neutrality back in 2020. But this isn’t where our leverage ends. We are continuously accelerating these efforts in order to reach new ambitious targets by 2030.
We are improving the energy efficiency of our plants, systems, and buildings. By 2030, BSH aims to have saved the annual equivalent of the total energy consumption of ≈ 90,000 family households.
We have made our operations carbon-neutral – but our work does not end there. We are also looking at all other indirect emissions that occur in our value chain. These so-called Scope 3 emissions result from activities such as:
And we have set ourselves ambitious targets for the year 2030:
Sustainable Production
We’re certifiably dedicated to sustainability at BSH. Because every single one of BSH’s 39 factories is ISO 14001 certified (International Organisation for Standardization). Beyond that, we have also secured certifications in compliance with the ISO 50001 standard for energy management for all of our production sites in the EU, in Turkey and in China.
Product Innovations
At BSH, we inspire and support consumers to live healthier and more sustainable lives.
Our home appliances help in many ways to make everyday life simple and sustainable. By saving water, energy and detergent or by preventing food waste, consumers can at the same time save money and act sustainably at home. In addition, the proportion of recycled materials in our products is increasing and the design is becoming more modular. With some appliances, you can already see and feel this today.
For instance, the Bosch SmartGrow Life – an innovative All-in-One Gardening System – is a great example of how BSH lives up to its mission to improve the quality of life and reduce waste and pollution. All white plastics are 100% recycled and recyclable while the packaging, made mainly out of recycled material, is EPS-free. The modular and robust design ensures durability, future reusability, and recyclability while reducing waste. Thereby, SmartGrow Life embodies our concept of a circular economy.
Another great example for durability and performance is the new Bosch GL38 vacuum cleaner . It comes with a 10 years motor guarantee, washable filters for longer usage, and a long availability of spare parts. What makes the GL38 even more sustainable is the way it has been designed and manufactured. The black variant is made from 38% recycled plastics*, the other colors are made from 30% recycled plastics*. Moreover, the packaging consists of 95% recycled paper. The packaging material inside is recyclable and compostable. (*Evaluation done according to ISO 14021)
Already since the fall of 2021, there is Bosch´s first sustainable vacuum cleaner GL20S available. The Series 2 bagged appliance is made out of 64 percent recycled plastics that comes with 95 percent recycled packaging. Its Bosch Motor Technology guarantees consumers high performance made in Germany as well as a free 10 years motor guarantee. This fact not only pays off in terms of performance, but also in relation to durability.
We are breaking new ground in reducing CO₂ footprint with the Bosch Green Collection Fridge (KGN39VXBT). Featuring energy efficiency class B, this new Bosch fridge-freezer (sold in Europe) has a material footprint that is one-third smaller than its predecessor’s. Thanks to the use of recycled, lower-CO₂ and CO₂-neutral materials, the CO₂ footprint of the Bosch appliance is 100 kilograms lower.[1] Read more on our Blog Stories.
[1] CO₂emissions from production materials 33 percent lower than for a comparable Bosch fridge with conventional production materials (KGN 39VXBT). Calculation based on ISO 14040 for production materials (without packaging). Reduced CO₂ due to use of green steel produced with reduced CO₂ emissions and CO₂-neutral bio-based foam and plastic (according to certified mass balance procedure).
Thanks to new business models such as product leasing and sharing, we can put an end to wasteful mentalities and ensure that as many appliances and as much material as possible is reused or recycled. An added bonus is that these new business models give a wider range of consumers easier access to highly efficient products and services.
Whenever possible, our customer service offers remote diagnostics, telephone consultations and self-help tips to avoid unnecessary visits and expenses. If a technician visit at home is required, we optimize our scheduling and routing to reduce carbon emissions. In all of our countries of operation, we have expertly trained employees and service partners, who advise our consumers and provide competent support, even in more rural regions. We have an initial completion rate for repairs of over 82%. This means that 82% of the time, we only visit our consumers once to solve a problem. We support our 12,000 BSH technicians and service partners with trainings beyond the repair knowledge. Flexible, digital sessions on sustainability offer trainings on how consumers can be expertly guided to extend their appliance’s lifespan with easy-to-follow tricks and tips on the right cleaning and care routine. Seven logistical centers are located near BSH production sites in order to keep delivery routes short. They store more than 350,000 spare parts for large appliances for usually more than 10 years following production.
Information on critical substances
according to Art. 33.1 of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
The aim of BSH's environmental policy has always been to eliminate especially critical substances in the supply chain as quickly as possible as a precautionary measure. Therefore we do our own research and work closely and regularly with suppliers. These are obligated under Article 33 of the REACH Regulation to provide information concerning substances of very high concern in their products, if those substances are listed in the candidate list and are contained in a concentration of more than 0.1% by weight in products or components.
Substances with notification duties in appliances or spare parts of BSH:
• Lead, CAS No. 7439-92-1, may be contained in any home appliance in steel, in aluminium and copper alloys, in high melting temperature type solders as well as in printing inks for the application of enamels on glasses.
• Lead monoxide, CAS No. 1317-36-8, in electronic components or temperature controls for hobs, Teppan Yaki, hoods and dishwashers.
• Lead chromate, CAS No. 7758-97-6, in the electronics of free-standing freezers.
• Lead titanium zirconium oxide, CAS No. 12626-81-2, in LCD displays of free standing refrigerator-freezer combinations, dishwashers, washing machines, hobs and cleaning robots as well as in electronic components of EQ 500 and EQ 700 automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines.
• Cadmium, CAS-No 7440-43-9, and its oxide, CAS No 1306-19-0, may be present in switch contacts of cooking appliances, hoods and refrigerators as well as in pumps of washing machines.
• Boric acid, CAS No. 11113-50-1 or 10043-35-3, in an electronic component of free-standing refrigerator-freezer combinations and cookers as well as in hobs.
• Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2 anhydride (TMA), CAS No. 552-30-7, contained in the silver paint used in frontloader washing machines.
• Bisphenol A (4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol), CAS No. 80-05-7, in the control-unit of built-in refrigerator-freezer combinations, in the powercord of steam stations, cooking appliances, frontloader washing machines and dryers as well as in fans made of plastic in decorative hoods and in cleaning robots.
• Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), CAS No. 540-97-6, in silicone seals of blenders and in lid bowls of food processor Cookit.
• Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), CAS No. 541-02-6, Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), CAS-Nr. 540-97-6, und Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), CAS-Nr. 556-67-2 in silicone seals of built-in freezers and steam irons, in silicone gaskets of washing machines and wash dryers as well as in ovens with product designations L1ACH4MN0, L2ACH7MN0, VB558C0S0, VB578D0S0, VBC5580S0, VBD5780S0 and in EQ 700 automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines.
• Dicyclohexyl-phthalate (DCHP), CAS No. 84-61-7, in an electronic component of free-standing refrigerator-freezer combinations.
• N,N-dimethylacetamide, CAS No. 127-19-5, in a motor of table fan with product designation LF16VA570.
• 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), CAS No. 872-50-4, in steam irons and steam stations.
• 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-ditertpentylphenol (UV-328), CAS No. 25973-55-1, in displays of EQ.3 automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines.
• Terphenyl, hydrogenated, CAS No. 61788-32-7, in the electromechanical temperature controls of ovens and stoves.
• 1,2-dimethoxyethane (EGDME), CAS No. 110-71-4, in lithium button cells: in personal and analytical scales, in the filter change indicator of Tassimo capsule machines, in the wireless sensor for induction cooktops.
• 2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4,4-dioctyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate (DOTE), CAS No. 15571-58-1, in the door handle of free-standing refrigerator-freezer combinations.
• 2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one, CAS No. 71868-10-5, in electronic components of hoods with LED display.
• 1,3,5-Tris(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione (TGIC), CAS No. 2451-62-9, in electronic components of hoods with LED display.
• Diboron trioxide, CAS No. 1303-86-2, in electronic components of hoods with LED display and of some free-standing refrigerator-freezer combinations.
• 2-ethylhexyl 10-ethyl-4,4-dioctyl-7-oxo-8-oxa-3,5-dithia-4-stannatetradecanoate (DOTE), CAS No. 15571-58-1, Bisphenol A (4,4‘-isopropylidenediphenol), CAS No. 80-05-7, and Lead titanium zirconium oxide, CAS No. 12626-81-2, in wine storage cabinets with product designations RW404261, RW404761, RW402261 and RW424260 produced until April 2018.
• N,N-dimethylacetamide, CAS No. 127-19-5, und 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), CAS No. 872-50-4, in compressors of refrigerators and freezers produced until August 2020.
When appliances are used as intended and properly disposed of, their inherent substances do not pose a risk to health or the environment.
(Information for consumers under REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006; Munich, Oct. 2021; link to candidate list: https://echa.europa.eu/de/candidate-list-table )
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