Our sustainability commitment
At Riwal, we consider sustainability one of our spearheads. Our products and services are used in numerous sectors, including construction, installation engineering, maintenance, industry and logistics. We therefore see an important role for Riwal in the transition to a climate-neutral and healthy living environment. We are committed to the health of people and the enhancement of the natural environment. We would like to play our part in achieving the relevant Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN Member States, as part of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. They target solutions for poverty, gender inequality, and climate change. Starting 2019, we thus decided to focus our efforts and target settings on some of these goals.
EcoVadis Gold Level
EcoVadis rates companies on their sustainability performance by looking at their efforts within these topics: environment, labour, business ethics and sustainable procurement. Currently we hold an EcoVadis Gold medal (2024), which puts us in the top 5% of assessed companies. We want to prove our commitment to our sustainability goals and aspire to reach a Ecovadis Platinum level by 2025.
Riwal’s sustainability focus areas
Riwal has formulated various focus areas, with associated targets for 2030. We have included these core themes in our Lifting Sustainability programme.
Our sustainable development objectives are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the OECD’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Some of these objectives focus on sustainable operations within our own organisation. ‘Having our own house in order’, we call it. The other objectives deal with developments that increasingly make sustainability part of our industry. We think it is important to play a pioneering role in this.
By focusing on these five core themes, we can make a major contribution to making powered access more sustainable and distinguish ourselves in the market as a sustainable knowledge partner.
Lifting sustainability program
Our goals for 2030
CO2 emissions
-30%
Waste recycling
90%
Electric machines in fleet
90%
Vitality programme
We attach great value to healthy and happy employees. This is not only important for us and for business continuity, it also benefits our employees themselves. After all, good health is a great asset.
Through our Vitality programme, we work on healthy, fit and happy employees. The range is broad: from sports events, healthy food at work, health and workplace checks and job coaching to counselling in case of illness. Of course everyone wants to stay healthy and make work more enjoyable. Riwal helps employees do just that.
Sponsorships and charities
Sustainable relationships with employees, customers and suppliers matter to us, just as making a positive contribution to society. That is why we have engaged in various partnerships in among others the healthcare, sports and cultural sectors and support numerous charities.
Although these days we operate all across Europe – and beyond, our roots are in the Netherlands. In Dordrecht, to be precise. So we feel very involved in the Dordrecht community. We underline this by supporting local organisations and associations, from soccer club FC Dordrecht and the CPR Foundation (Stichting Reanimatie Drechtsteden) to popular local music festivals such as Wantijpop and Big Rivers. Since 2019, we have also been the proud main sponsor and namesake of the Riwal Hoogwerkers Halve Marathon.
During the first phase of the corona pandemic in 2020, Riwal made aerial work platforms and operators available at various locations in several countries, so residents of nursing and care homes could see and speak to their relatives remotely while they were in lockdown and unable to receive visitors.
Sustainability Week
Every year, our Head Office and our Dutch branch pay extra attention to sustainability during our joint Sustainability Week, with activities that focus on the health and well-being of our employees as well as on the local community and on the natural environment. For example by picking up litter around our offices and depots, organising a Bike to Work Day and by donating to nature conservation projects.
