Sustainability at the Malzfabrik
From now on the Malzfabrik focuses on sustainability!
Step by step we work on making our area environmentally compatible - this not only applies to our everyday office life and the energy-conserving renovation of the buildings but also to our tenants and partners. Of course we cannot realize all ideas immediately, because for us sustainability means harmonizing ecological and economic aspects. But we made a good start and step by step things get moving...
Step by step we work on making our area environmentally compatible - this not only applies to our everyday office life and the energy-conserving renovation of the buildings but also to our tenants and partners. Of course we cannot realize all ideas immediately, because for us sustainability means harmonizing ecological and economic aspects. But we made a good start and step by step things get moving...
OUR FIRST GREEN STEPS:
For protected buildings like ours, the energetic reconstruction is the essential thing. This starts with sealing the windows and goes all the way through the complete insulation of the first five buildings.
Sustainability Workshop in December 2010 with GOODevents for the development and definition of sustainability goals.
Our everyday office life is influenced by sustainability issues and products:
Fair-trade coffee, organic milk powder for the coffee machine, tested tap water in jugs instead of bottled water, garbage separation with compost, organic soap, water-efficient pressure fittings, recycled toilet paper, eco-dishwasher tabs (100% biodegradable), environmental office supplies, paper baskets made of renewable raw materials, prints - if at all necessary - on 100% recycled paper at a climate-neutral printing company...
We use recycled toilet paper and ecological soap in our event locations.
The light technology is changing little by little to LED lighting.
Since March 2011 we have a sustainability officer who focuses only on the examination, planning and realization of sustainable projects.
On April 1st 2011 we have changed the complete electricity supply at the Malzfabrik to green electricity.
By Upcycling old factory objects we create new value from old material: Our visitors bench at the guard house was made of old planks, as well as much of the furniture of our own canteen. Our bike racks are made of old steel pipes, and we now separate our trash on the outdoor premises in old barrels, that were rebuild to accomodate innovative 4-bin sorting.
Reusable USB sticks for press kits and concept presentations.
We actively attract events on sustainability to the MALZFABRIK and support them, such as the Utopia Conference and the industrial and business meeting in Berlin Tempelhof-Schöneberg with the main focus on sustainability.
Green Guide: This guide aims to encourage our tenants actively for sustainable event management.
MalzMeeter: At our regular tenant meetings we communicate sustainable developments and tips to our tenants.
Our summer party MALZWIESE on June 4th 2011 is dedicated this year entirely to the subject of sustainability.
FURTHER STEPS:
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Currently under construction: composting plant for our organic waste, thereby binding of Co2.
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Our beautifully designed signs - the so-called Green Signs - can be found throughout the premises, informing our visitors about the Green Steps we are taking.
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From June 4th, 2011 the “Rostlaube – Containerfarm Berlin" will turn us into city farmers who produce fresh fish and vegetables on their urban doorstep, which then can be consumed directly in our canteen.
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Development of guidelines for our tenants and service providers.
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Through the renaturation of 15,500 sqm wasteland and the creation of a biotope, we strengthen the storage capacity for Co2 and enrich regional biodiversity by planting native vegetation for native animals.
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We use our rainwater sustainably, by creating retention ponds that serve both as a permeability measure for the 27,000 sqm factory, and as a damp biotope.
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In planning: roof greening is planned, because it has a positive impact on improving the air balance (by capturing dust and air pollutants), the energy balance of the building and also provides an ecological compensation habitat for plants and animals.
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In planning: through greening our facades, we want to save Co2, use the insulating effect and provide new habitat for many species, especially nesting birds.
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In planning: radiator thermostats with independent temperature settings for all tenants.
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Opportunities for energy generation from geothermal energy, solar panels, wind energy and waste heat recovery of the manufacturing companies on the premises, and the use of biogas conditioning and pelleting of rapidly growing biomass plants are currently being examined.