Cleaning Actions
Earth Day Cleaning
Valleyfield, Quebec
In April 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, an associate organized and coordinated a clean-up action at the Valleyfield site for Earth Day. The plant is located on the waterfront with a park along the bay. In the spring, this park attracts many visitors who inadvertently leave trash. The team cleaned the factory grounds, the waterfront, and the streets in the neighborhood. In 2024, an associate who couldn’t participate to the collective action decided to organize his own action over the weekend and collected 5 trash bags. We are proud to observe our associates' engagement in such initiatives.
For this 4th occurrence, Valleyfield associates observed much cleaner streets than previous years. They collected 14 kilos (31lbs) of garbage this year, compared to 18 kilos in 2022 and 16 kilos in 2023.
Adopt A Highway
Appleton, Wisconsin
The Adopt a highway program began in 2015. The objective is to clean the sides of the road where the AstenJohnson Appleton site is located. (County Road CB) The cleanup takes place as needed and is completed by AstenJohnson volunteers.
Highway litter degrades the environment, attracts vermin, endangers people and wildlife, and spoils the view. While the number of volunteers varies, the site’s efforts help to keep the highway clean and have an overall impact on the environment in which we all live.
Thank you team for your participation once again in May 2024.
The Great Spring Cleaning
Eupen, Belgium
Walloon Project
Every year since 2015, the Walloon government (French region of Belgium), in addition to its campaigns to increase awareness and responsibility through the "BeWapp" platform, sponsors cleanliness ambassadors (individuals or companies that regularly collect waste in an assigned and nearby area) and organizes a collective cleanup of our beautiful region. This initiative is called The Great Cleaning.
The 2023 edition mobilized more than 110,000 people. All participants collected a total of 311 tons of waste, which is even higher than 2022. 12,258km were travelled through all of Wallonia during the action. “BeWapp” provides the necessary equipment and accessories. This event is a great way to raise awareness and engagement for the community’s objective to have a cleaner and healthier planet.
After their participation in 2018, 2021 and 2022, AstenJohnson Eupen associates, along with some family members, volunteered and helped other community volunteers collect litter from the surroundings once again in 2023.
Join the movement for next year!
Cleaning Action
Suzhou, China
On March 25, AstenJohnson Technical Fabric (Suzhou) launched their first public welfare activity for 2023.
This event promotes awareness of public welfare and enhances the sense of responsibility for environmental protection within our company.
Under the organization of the company's leadership and labor union, more than 70 associates from various positions cleaned up the garbage on the ancient footpath around the historic city of Suzhou. The volunteers carried garbage bags and collected litter from the path, ensuring that it was separated according to the local recycling guidelines. Bustling streets, warm and enthusiastic smiles accompanied by the clean, fresh air of Spring… What a sight to behold!
Keeping Laurens County Beautiful
Clinton, South Carolina
AstenJohnson Clinton had 12 volunteers participate in the ”Keeping Laurens County Beautiful" Earth Day Cleanup project in April 2024. They divided into three groups and went to different areas in Clinton to pick up roadside litter.
Great job and much thanks to the volunteers!
Adopt A Landing
Charleston, South Carolina
AstenJohnson Charleston associates participated in the cleaning action “Adopt of Landing/Highway” on March 14th, 2024. A team of thirty associates cleaned the roads around the office, collecting 24 bags of trash were filled, totalling 400 pounds.
The building is in a unique location, near the water, with a boat landing nearby. The cleaning action included the landing, as well as one mile of surrounding roads.
Every piece of garbage, from abandoned bottles, to cans, to misplaced plastic bags, was logged to help the waste authority make recommendations for community care.
The Charleston team has committed to quarterly cleanings. The June cleaning saw a lower amount of trash collected. The team is hoping that trend continues as people see the clean area.
Congratulations to the associates for their contribution to making the community cleaner and more beautiful.
Bike Leasing Program
Eupen, Belgium
Since April 2021, AstenJohnson Eupen has offered a bicycle leasing program to associates. Associates can select different types of bikes, including electric bikes. In support of associates and this initiative, over the summer AstenJohnson Eupen improved their bike parking lot. The new lot offers better accommodations as well as charging stations for e-bikes. The charging stations are powered by solar panels on site. While many associates were already biking or walking to work, the lease program and the new parking lot encourages associates to practice soft mobility.
Benefits of soft mobility include:
- Traveling by bicycle avoids traffic congestion and reduces the risk of delays.
- For short distances, the bicycle is one of the fastest means of transportation, and an environmentally friendly one.
- The cost of using a bicycle is much lower than that of a car, which consumes fuel.
- Cycling increases fitness, reduces stress, and improves moods.
Chiller Update
Clinton, South Carolina
After identifying the chiller as a source of HCFC refrigerants dangerous for the ozone layer, the Clinton site replaced their chiller in October 2023. The new unit is running well.
Project Start: 2021
Goal:
Reduce HVAC costs & also convert to newer, eco-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant.
Project Completed:
October 2023
In the last century, humanity has depleted the Earth's resources so much that fossil fuel reserves will disappear completely over the next few centuries. It's not too late, but it's right time to think about how we will live in a few decades and start doing something.
Eva Popelkova Process Engineer Leader, Strakonice
Composting
Valleyfield, Quebec
In 2021, the Valleyfield site started collecting food wastes at the plant, which was never done before on the site. The initiative began with a bin in the kitchen of the office area, one was added in the plant cafeteria as well. This action allows the site to divert approximatively 1000 lbs of food waste per year from landfills.
