“Klimachecker:innen at Work” is the name of a project by the Upper Austrian Climate Alliance, in which apprentices are trained to become climate ambassadors. One of the six companies currently taking part is the Wels rope and strapping manufacturer Teufelberger. Young professionals initiate their own climate projects that are not only sustainable, but also add value for the company. Apprentices Eda Akay, Edanur Dogan and Elias Steiner presented their first implemented ideas at a press event with State Councilor for Environment and Climate Protection Stefan Kaineder (Greens). The apprentices developed a collection system for PET bottles in the company, arranged for the collection and recycling of the PET flakes via an external company and ensured that the shredded PET bottles were returned to the production cycle after internal quality control . A single PET bottle provides the material for a three meter long strap. The plastic straps are used in many ways, for example to secure heavy loads during transport.
“My motivation for taking part is that I want to do something for the environment,” says process technician apprentice Elias Steiner. The consequences of climate change are already clearly noticeable. Edanur Dogan, an industrial clerk in her second year of training, likes the project because they can work independently in a small group. The young people also turned the switches in the energy sector. Motion detectors were installed and the lighting in the high-bay warehouse was switched to LED lights. New cisterns in the toilet facilities are being planned to reduce water consumption. There will also be a “repair café” for repairing broken household appliances together.
Sustainability is a huge issue for the Wels-based plastics-producing company, also because of the increasing “plastic bashing”, as Jürgen Scheiblehner, Managing Director of Strapping Solutions (strapping solutions), says. “Our product would be suitable for a 100 percent circular economy. However, customers often lack the motivation to collect.” Without binding guidelines from the legislature, it will not work.
Environmental Councilor Kaineder emphasizes that the project aims to awaken passion for climate protection in apprentices. “The young employees are not yet on the hamster wheels, the older ones sometimes lose sight of what could be done differently.”
Source: Nachrichten
