Luxury watchmaker, Piaget commits itself to the preservation of nature as much as it does to preserve its quality. here’s a case study presented by the world luxury council.
ENVIRONMENT – Piaget is committed to preserving natural resources and minimizing its environmental impact.
BUILDINGS – Piaget measures the CO2 consumption of buildings with the intention of continuous improvement. At headquarter level, following environmental audits, several improvements have been implemented by them regarding the buildings.
– Solar panels on the roof of the manufacture permit the heating of water used in the toilets on the Geneva site.
– Piaget uses green electricity in its production facilities: 100% of the electricity used comes from a hydroelectric source.
– Energy-saving lighting (LED) has been implemented in offices and boutiques.
Piaget Headquarters’ 6600 m2 extension, currently under construction, meets the Minergie standard. The Minergie standard is a Swiss standard of construction that requires rational use of energy and encourages implementation of renewable energy while ensuring improved quality of life, reduced environmental impact and lower maintenance costs.
TRAVEL – Piaget’s travel policy to minimize CO2 emissions is based on a simple “Avoid & Minimise” approach: Avoid: try to use alternative means such as teleconferencing, or regroup several trips during the year together, or ask a colleague already visiting a location to address more topics.
Minimize: plan trips efficiently such as by travelling to several cities in a round trip, use transportation with less CO2 impact, such as fast train or carpooling for shorter distances.
At headquarters, Piaget encourages sustainable mobility for commuters by contributing to finance public transportation subscriptions and promoting alternative ways of commuting such as car-sharing and electric or man-powered bikes.
WASTE – Piaget’s waste management policy is “reduce, reuse, recycle” whenever possible. At production, administration and in the restaurant, waste such as glass, paper, plastic, organic, chemicals, batteries, lubricants and metals (precious or non-precious) is sorted and reused or eliminated through specialized providers. Piaget has been recycling its obsolete communication materials every year since 2011. Over 80% is reused and recycled. The rest is incinerated and the heat used.
BIODIVERSITY – In order to preserve endangered species, Piaget strictly complies with CITES* (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Piaget also carefully assesses the situation regarding the treatment of animals, and takes measures accordingly; for example banning materials such as porous, shagreen (ray and shark skin), python, lizard (from Asia) and coral.
PACKAGING AND PAPER – Piaget only uses wood certified FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for communication materials such as boxes and displays. Piaget shopping bags are made of at least 40% post-consumer
waste. 100% of paper and cardboard is from recycled or certified sources. Plastic lamination has been removed. They are reusable and recyclable.
COMPENSATION – Piaget’s approach is to offset its CO2 impact worldwide by funding environmental projects. In 2017, the following projects benefited from our carbon reduction credits:
Asorpar Reforestation Project – A reforestation project planting 20+ different native tree species to review the ecosystem harmed by illegal gold mining.
Hebeiyingzin Glass, China – A project aiding sustainable development in China’s glass industry creating school scholarships and 24 new green jobs
ISANGI FORESTRY PROJECT – Piaget contributes to this forestry project that supports local communities development & ecosystems. Many luxury brands can take several learnings from Piaget’s commitment to sustainability and accordingly build in more responsibility in their business processes.
V Prakash – Sustainable Luxury Advocate This piece of article is inspired by Adidas Planet Positive case study of World Luxury Council
