Page 35 - KZN Top Business Portfolio-eBook 2022

lowers the embodied energy associated with virgin Belgotex Foundation
raw material use. The company has a history of establishing,
A Carbon Footprint analysis was done in 2010 and, supporting, and implementing programmes that
Belgotex developed their blueprint for carbon uplift communities and organisations. The Belgotex
emission reductions, using integrated carbon Foundation, established in 2015, was initially dedicated
management systems to reduce their carbon to early childhood development. The Foundation
footprint significantly. Numerous energy optimisation success fully transformed numerous projects with their
initiatives have provided more sustainable energy wide range of products but has concluded that the role
sources, including the 17-million-rand photovoltaic of the Foundation was far greater than ECD revamps
solar power plant that provides about 5% of the and upgrades.
company’s annual energy requirement. Edward Colle, Belgotex’s CEO and co-founder of
the Belgotex Foundation said, “Belgotex believes
The rainwater harvesting initiative considerably wholeheartedly in a ‘hand-up’ rather than a ‘hand-
reduced water consumption by using rainwater out’ approach, and we are proud to be associated with
from the factory’s roofs in non-critical applications. initiatives that support the efforts of communities
The company’s move to 100% solution dyed yarn and individuals to improve their socio-economic
production has also resulted in significant water, circumstances.”
chemical and energy savings. This has saved a precious
resource, distanced Belgotex from old technology and “If we look around, we cannot be proud of the current
offers clients a far superior ‘stain proof’ yarn system. situation in society. It may be more evident in this
beautiful country we live in, but the same social decay
In alignment with the three Rs of waste management and lack of inclusive growth is evident globally.
– reduce, reuse, and recycle – Belgotex seeks to reduce
inputs, reuse materials and recycle waste from the This is not part of our purpose, and if we don’t
company’s operations, effectively reducing the amount address the situation, we will leave our children a very
of waste sent to landfill. challenging set of cards. On a fundamental level, if
we cannot look after our planet and the society that
The ongoing ‘Green Journey’ aligns with Belgotex’s occupies it, we will have a very dysfunctional set of
value We Tread Softly, which speaks to the company’s circumstances which will put immense pressure on
commitment to operational sustainability practices. business, as the environment will not be conducive to
Best Practice any form of growth. The sooner we address and deal
with these issues the better it will be in the long run.”
The company adheres to international best-practice
principles and frameworks such as the ISO Quality The Belgotex Academy was launched in 1999 and
and Environmental ISO 9001 (Quality management provides flooring installation training, technical sales
system), ISO 14001 (Environmental management training and estimating training across the various
system), ISO 14064/7 (Greenhouse gas emissions product categories offered by Belgotex. In addition,
reporting), ISO 14040/4/6 (Life cycle assessment), the company offers youth and employee development
ISO 14024/5 (Environmental labelling), GRI-GR4 through internship and learnership programmes,
Guidelines, 12 Principles, and the GreenTag and various training and awareness programmes and
GreenStar 6 Star certifications. employee wellness campaigns.

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