Social and Ecological Commitment for Greater Sustainability

At GBC, people are at the heart of our social sustainability. We always keep our responsibility towards our fellow human beings in mind and try to minimize social conflicts. After all, social well-being is an important factor in consolidating social sustainability in our society in the long term. These guidelines are firmly anchored in our Code of Conduct.

Education is also an important aspect of social sustainability. We have been a training company since 2000. This is our additional contribution to counteracting the ongoing shortage of skilled workers.

Our commitment extends beyond our producers and employees. We also promote and support regional businesses, charitable institutions and sports clubs.

GBC stands for responsible corporate governance. Our sustainable management is characterized by the fact that our growth is in harmony with society and the environment. We focus on fair trade, long-term strategies and future-oriented projects. This secures jobs. And this is how GBC has been offering stability and progression for more than two decades. And to ensure that we continue to develop, we are constantly examining all internal processes. In order to achieve the best possible result, we have obtained ISO certification.

Presentation of our Sustainability Strategy

We firmly believe that the future of the promotional products market lies in sustainability. Promotional items and merchandising products serve a crucial purpose: they demonstrate appreciation and foster a connection between companies and their target audiences. They are a vital tool in customer communication. It is crucial how these products are manufactured and what impact they have on people and the environment. This is of great significance to both recipients and purchasers, leaving an impression of where the company stands on the issue of sustainability.

Sustainability is at the core of our values and business activities. We are committed to integrating sustainable practices into all areas of our company, from product development to customer retention. Our goal is to establish a supply chain that promotes transparency and supports our suppliers in improving their working conditions. We are a member of Amfori and utilize the BSCI audit process to identify weaknesses and develop action plans. We stand alongside our suppliers with our own GBC team in Asia.

This is not a quick fix, which is why we take sustainability seriously.

For our sustainability framework, we have focused on five of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Not because the other 13 are less important, but because we have identified these four as the most relevant to our company, and they align with the framework of our ambitions.

As a commitment to advancing this critical objective, we have signed the Diversity Charter. Through this initiative, we actively pledge to create an inclusive work environment where all genders are equally represented and respected. We aim to reduce gender disparities, both within our organization and throughout our supply chain. This includes promoting women into leadership positions, ensuring pay equity and equal opportunities for career advancement, as well as raising awareness of gender-specific challenges and implementing measures to combat workplace discrimination and harassment. Our endorsement of the Diversity Charter is a significant step in our journey toward promoting gender equality and fostering a fairer and more inclusive workplace. Link: charta-der-vielfalt.de/en/

Our goal is to establish a supply chain that promotes transparency and supports our suppliers in improving their working conditions. We are a member of Amfori and use the BSCIauditing process to identify weaknesses and draw up action plans.
We stand alongside our suppliers with our own GBC team in Asia.

Our commitment is to design all our product categories with safe, compliant, and more sustainable product options and branding techniques. In our product development and production, as well as in the selection of inventory, we prioritize the use of (certified) organic and recycled materials and branding techniques. sowie bei der Auswahl von Lagerware auf die Nutzung von (zertifizierten) organischen und recycelten Materialien und Branding-Techniken. By implementing the GBC ECO Score and offering On-Demand products, we make a significant contribution to responsible consumption and sustainable production. This approach consciously involves the buyer in the responsibility process. Not only do GBC and the client collaboratively develop a sustainable product range, but the buyer also has the opportunity to choose the most sustainable item for their promotional campaign from within the range. Engaging with this process fosters a deeper awareness of sustainability for the buyer and creates a positive experience with the company and brand.

Measuring the CO2 footprint of our global sites and products enables us to offset negative impacts and optimize our performance. GBC is transitioning to the use of renewable resources and ensuring their sustainable utilization. We actively embody this commitment – from sourcing eco-friendly products, minimizing packaging materials, and recycling with Interseroh, to our in-house printing facility using ecological inks, electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, and our office building adhering to the highest energy standards.

Climate change is also a key consideration – we are committed to reducing greenhouse gases and achieving a CO2-neutral footprint.

In the promotional products’ industry, we can contribute to the protection of oceans and marine resources through targeted actions and concepts.
We prioritize promotional items made from sustainable materials that specifically aim to reduce marine pollution.
These include:
– Use of recycled plastic, such as ocean plastic
– Biodegradable materials
– Marine-friendly packaging
– Products that can be produced in a particularly water-saving way.
By implementing these measures, we can make a significant contribution to protecting the oceans while simultaneously offering our customers sustainable and environmentally friendly promotional products.

Focus on People

The people in our supply chain, whether at our suppliers and manufacturers or within our own companies, are the driving force behind GBC’s success. Gaining deeper insights into our supply chain beyond the first tier of suppliers is essential for a sustainable future.

• Traceable Supply Chains Goal: Identify and improve the ecological, social, ethical, and financial impacts of our supply chain. Approach: Regularly audit our supply chain through internal and external audits (Amfori). Develop corrective action plans for continuous improvement.
  Target 2025: 100% traceable supply chains for all our products.
• Respectful and Safe Working Conditions Goal: Implement policies and processes to protect human rights and working conditions. Approach: Our Code of Conduct and Ethics Code are available in the store. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards human rights violations, child labor, and forced labor. 2025 Target: 100% traceable supply chains for all our products.
• Sustainable Workforce Capability Goal: Create the right conditions for employees to have a long, healthy, and fulfilling career. Approach: Our facilities are regularly audited to Amfori standards. We have implemented comprehensive HR policies and processes, and there are employee councils in place. 2025 Target: Create outstanding and preferred working conditions.

Focus on Products

Focus on Products Our aim is to offer our customers and end consumers compelling and sustainable products. We strive to reduce the use of virgin plastic and increase the proportion of (certified) recycled and organic materials in both our products and packaging. Sustainable branding is considered an essential component of our product offering.

1. Materials

Objective: Transition to recycled or renewable materials in our products and maximize material efficiency, product lifespan, and recallability.
Approach: Utilize our sustainable assessment tool to identify ecological options for our products. Actively transition to recycled plastics in our manufactured products. Emphasize product certifications such as GOTS, GRS, and FSC® to ensure safety.

2. Packaging

Objective: Transition to recycled or renewable materials in our packaging and reduce packaging material. Less storage and handling, reduced fuel, emissions, and minimized waste.
Approach: Actively transition packaging for all new items to sustainable materials, reducing virgin plastic in packaging where possible.
Transport packaging is packed using packaging machines in the GBC warehouse, reducing transport volume.

3. Circular Design

Objective: Transition to products with circular design focusing on durability, circularity, and minimal waste.
Approach: Actively develop circular projects in collaboration with customers and end consumers. Develop take-back systems and rebranding options.