Hachette Livre takes action to control its plastic use
GAËTAN RUFFAULT
Senior Vice-President, Human Resources and Environmental Responsibility, Hachette Livre
Driven by the desire to improve its environmental impact, Hachette Livre has made an active commitment in this regard for a number of years by rolling out several concrete measures such as calculating its carbon footprint, purchasing certified and recycled paper and even environmental labelling of its publications. These measures will remain a central part of our CSR strategy over the years ahead.
However, we want to go even further by extending our environmental concerns to analysing use of plastic. The aim is to analyse precisely our plastic use within our production and distribution chains. Throughout the second half of 2020, with the help of a consulting firm and our staff, we mapped out the different types of materials and volumes of plastic materials we use in the product itself (sleeve, lamination or protection of the book or case, etc.) and in logistics (pallet securing film, packaging, etc.).
Looking at the crossover between materials and uses enabled us to evaluate and analyse our uses and calculate our plastic use across the scope of Hachette Livre France. A comparable study is also being carried out in the Partworks business, taking account of the specific characteristics of this activity.
The first half of 2021 will be dedicated to drawing up an action plan centred around the main priorities of substitutability, eco-design, responsible procurement and adapting our manufacturing processes in order to reduce our plastic use over the years to come while adapting our use to the necessary amount.
Hachette Livre national distribution centre (Maurepas, France).
“Looking at the crossover between materials and uses enabled us to evaluate and analyse our uses and calculate our plastic use across the scope of Hachette Livre France.”
Gaëtan Ruffault