Polycor announces plans to go carbon neutral by 2025
by CM Staff
By the end of 2025, Polycor will increase its use of renewable energy so that 75% of its energy comes from renewable sources.
QUEBEC CITY — On Apr. 21, Polycor Inc., announced its plans to be carbon neutral by the end of 2025. Polycor is the first natural stone quarrier to make a firm commitment to carbon neutrality.
“As a company operating in several countries, it is our duty to act for the future and ensure that our activities are respectful of the environment and the planet’s resources. Polycor has a history and brand focused on global leadership, with a reputation of prioritizing and fostering sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship,” said Patrick Perus, CEO of Polycor Inc. “Our move toward being carbon neutral by 2025 puts the company five years ahead of the curve set by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s call to become carbon neutral by 2030. We are confident that our sustainability leadership within the natural stone industry can inspire other construction material providers to do the same.”
Polycor also recently announced an internal network of 15 Sustainability Champions to identify innovative solutions, from waste reduction to increasing processing efficiencies.
The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) identifies the year 2030 as a tipping point that will require significant reduction in emissions. The building industry, which accounts for 39% of annual global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, bears a tremendous responsibility to mitigate global environmental risk.
Perus added, “This decision is also in line with the will of customers and partners in the industry, who are increasingly demanding environmentally friendly products and suppliers, showing a generalized awareness throughout the industry.”
According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 80% of consumers say sustainability is important to them, and more than 70% are even willing to pay more if it means their products are sustainable.
To help support its goal of being carbon neutral by 2025, Polycor said they will focus their efforts and improvements in the following areas:
- Electrification: By the end of 2025, Polycor will increase its use of renewable energy so that 75% of its energy comes from renewable sources.
- Fuel use: Polycor will significantly reduce its traditional carbon-based fuel use. Through installing electrical charging stations at plants, and prioritizing new vehicles with alternative fuel sources, the company will significantly increase the miles per liter across its fleet.
- Waste reduction: Polycor will meaningfully increase production efficiencies; these efficiencies will increase product yield, emphasize sustainable packaging, reduce chemical use, and will prioritize recycling and reuse.
- Offsetting and rehabilitation: Carbon offsetting activities, such as upcoming tree planting campaigns, will create essential carbon sinks, decreasing the net total of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
