Keller Kitchens and parent group, DKG, are delighted to report that the ambition to be carbon negative during 2022 is well on track to becoming reality. In addition to the numerous steps, measures and investments the business has taken to attain “manufacturer” carbon neutral status back in April 2017, more recent initiatives required the help of nature itself.
Just over a year ago, Keller/DKG joined forces with farmers organisation ZLTO and two local carbon farmers within a radius of 15 kilometres around the Bergen op Zoom factory in Holland. The process involved is based on the long-term capture of CO2 from the atmosphere that is then processed naturally and stored into farm land soil. The plants and crops then convert the CO2 into carbon chains via photosynthesis. The organic matter that is built up in this way also promotes soil fertility and crop growth increases.
One year on, Keller/DKG are delighted to announce the initiative is working extremely well and the CO2 is binding into the soil better than expected. In addition, there are further benefits which include – biodiversity, which is increasing, and agriculture is also proving to be more resilient to climate extremes. Averages over the next four years are expected to reach CO2 sequestration to a level of 292.4 tCO2/ha. This will allow nature to do the rest.
National Sales Manager UK, Tim Spann commented, “The results are very, very encouraging giving us the confidence we are on the right track to maintain our industry-leading position for manufacturing kitchens by the most sustainable means possible. I am extremely proud to be part of an organisation that has such a strong ethos and is happy to make the investments required to set industry standards. To give an example that sets some perspective here; over a five-year period no less than 150 tonnes of carbon will be removed from the atmosphere. That is the equivalent to the carbon output of 390 flights from Amsterdam to Rome! Keller was the first kitchen manufacturer to become carbon neutral and we will be first to become carbon negative – with a little help from nature itself. Organising CO2 reduction locally offers more immediate and accountable methods than financing the planting of trees on the other side of the world alone – giving immediate and visible results locally for the environment.”
Keller is well known for offering the widest range of colours (1950 NCS) and finishes in the kitchen furniture market and is proud to have been a carbon neutral kitchen manufacturer since 2017.
For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com