There is an edding for everything – so goes the maxim of edding AG from Ahrensburg. There is also an environmentally-friendly alternative for everything. It’s a view firmly shared by the medium-sized company as it unveils four such alternatives.

The first of these five eco-friendly products are two permanent markers and a board marker. At least 80% of total plastic used (apart from the ink, tip, filter and label) is from recycled material. In addition, the specialist for markers and felt and fibre-tip pens is now extending its environmentally-friendly range to include a text marker with a barrel, at least 70% of which is made from a renewable resource. The new product range is called EcoLine.

The development of the refillable products is further evidence of the company’s excellent commitment to the environment, a commitment that extends way beyond that required of it by law and for which edding has been known for years. Back in 1995, for example, the company’s founder won the much coveted B.A.U.M. award in recognition of his excellent record on environmental issues.

It’s a commitment that edding has upheld to this day. The company’s environmentally-friendly measures start during the production process (edding markers always contain the “kindest” solvents possible), but evidence of its eco-friendly initiatives are also to be found in its commercial operations. Take packaging, for example: as an environmentally-aware producer, edding uses eco-friendly materials for its packaging. On top of that, edding has also sought to ensure sustainability in everyday office life.

The best example of this is a photovoltaic system recently installed by the company. In future, it will enable edding to generate electricity from solar power. Annually, it produces around 20,000 kilowatt hours, avoiding 17,720 kg/a CO2 emissions. Further measures are planned for 2009: the installation of a combined heat-and-power unit, staff training in “eco-safe driving” and ISO 14001 certification. By adopting these measures, edding is meeting the internationally recognised requirements imposed on company environmental-management systems, further highlighting its ecological credentials.