Proud to be labelled

• Eco-awareness leads to savings in electricity, water, gas
• 1 million kWh of electicity and 2.3 million kWh of gas saved in 8 years
• Paper and plastics use all significantly reduced between 2006 and 2014

When Capgemini’s Les Fontaines 'campus' in Chantilly, France was awarded the EU Ecolabel in 2008, management wanted all staff not only to be aware of the significiance of the label to the company and how it worked, but also the role of the individual under the scheme. The company started a programme of training workshops, held once a year, on the ecolabel and its related actions.

Workshops cover a range of topics including waste, water, use of chemicals, and energy (e.g. efficient use of equipment, heating and air conditioning, etc.). The training provides a chance to review actions taken in the year and how things can be improved. Staff members are often very receptive and proud of the environmental commitment that the company has made and the part they play in it.

Key benefits

The energy and water consumption has noticeably decreased over the years. From 2006 to 2014, electricity use has gone down from nearly 6 million kWh to some 5 million kWh, while natural gas consumption has gone from 5.6 million kWh to 3.3 million kWh. Water use was reduced by 37 % in the same period. At the same time, consumption of paper has gone from 18 tonnes in 2006 to 10 tonnes in 2014, while consumption of plastics decreased from 5.4 to 1.8 tonnes, resulting in much less waste.