Haag-Streit's dedicated sustainability team coordinates and monitors the implementation of its sustainability strategy. The team works closely with management and employees and is committed to ensuring sustainability is integral to the Group. Haag-Streit has regular, transparent, and open communication regarding its sustainability activities.

In order to reduce packaging waste, we have introduced a system of returnable packaging together with a supplier from Germany. The supplier delivers assemblies in sets using returnable packaging. Inlays are then redistributed onto a kanban rack and fed to assembly at the given time. The empty packs are folded and returned to the supplier on the next journey back, which also saves on packaging costs.

By using solvent distillation systems, we can save a large proportion of solvents in manufacturing our products and reduce water pollution. In addition, such systems also significantly reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and reduce our CO2 footprint.

We use a distillery plant for solvents at our Köniz manufacturing site, which has enabled us to reduce the consumption of solvents by around 70%.

The plant's distillation apparatus permits the recovery and reuse of solvents used for cleaning and degreasing in our paint shop. By applying the simple principle of distillation, contaminants (resins, pigments, paints, inks, oils, etc.) can be separated from the solvent, which is collected in a container for subsequent reuse. This distillation process can be repeated any number of times.

Haag-Streit employees who travel to work by bicycle, e-bike, or public transport are rewarded with a mobility bonus. The subsidization of bicycles and e-bikes reduces the number of cars on roads, playing a pivotal role in lowering air and noise pollution levels and thus protecting the environment. It also contributes to improving fitness and general well-being.

Employees traveling by public transport receive this bonus through “rail checks” or discounts from local or regional transport companies, resulting in cheaper ticket prices, enabling them to reduce the cost of their journey.

In order to continuously develop our organization, it’s important to know what our staff are thinking. That’s why we check in regularly, using surveys to gain objective feedback that we can use to continuously improve our working environment for the benefit of all employees.

That’s why we set a good example and have been offering a 10 Year Limited Warranty on all our slit lamps for several years. This covers all parts of the slit lamp against manufacturing defects, with all defective part(s) replaced free of charge. With over 100,000 slit lamps sold worldwide, it’s just one way we’re making a change for the better.