Environment
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT JEAN MÜLLER
Our environmental policy is based on the requirements of ISO 14001 and forms the basis for an effective environmental management system that aims to minimise our environmental impact and make a positive contribution to the environment.
PRODUCT-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Our products are an important part of a sustainable and, above all, secure energy supply. In addition, our products are very durable, often serving for more than 20 years and rarely needing to be replaced. Our products therefore make a positive contribution to the environment.
When it comes to the materials used in our products, such as switchgear and cable distribution cabinets, ensuring proper operation and the safety of those working with our products is our top priority. The materials used, mainly copper, steel and various plastics, are carefully selected by our developers to meet the specific technical requirements of our customers. While the use of recycled metals is common and often technically feasible, recycled plastics in many cases still do not meet the high safety and quality requirements that must be guaranteed without exception. We are working with our suppliers to ensure that the proportion of recycled materials continues to increase in the future.
PACKAGING
Our products do not all fit into the same standardised cardboard box. They must be adequately protected during transport from external influences such as impacts, crushing or vibrations. We therefore use packaging materials that are suitable for our products, consisting mainly of cardboard and, in some cases, plastics. We are striving to achieve greater standardisation in the materials used and the design. In the past, we have already implemented a reduction in the amount of empty space within packaging and transport vehicles, as well as an increasing move away from outer packaging.
Through close cooperation with suppliers, we already use various reusable packaging concepts to reduce our environmental impact. In the future, we want to further optimise packaging design in order to minimise waste, increase transport efficiency and conserve resources.
The packaging materials for our products are made from valuable raw materials and should be disposed of or recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. The packaging should be separated according to material type (e.g., cardboard, plastic, foil) and disposed of in the appropriate collection systems. Our registration number is DE4161785782937.
CLIMATE PROTECTION
Protecting the climate is more urgent than ever. That is why we are striving to reduce the emissions caused by our business activities. We want to contribute to climate protection by establishing energy-efficient processes, increasing the electrification of our service vehicle fleet, using reusable materials wherever possible and gradually switching from fossil fuels to renewable energies. We are also aware that many issues have an impact on climate protection, such as our employees’ commuting behaviour due to the option of working from home, the recycling of fuse links, or the fact that our canteen only purchases the food that is actually needed for the meals ordered.
We regularly quantify our carbon footprint in order to be able to select and evaluate reduction measures in a meaningful way. Product-related considerations (PCF: Product Carbon Footprint) are also playing an increasingly important role in this.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE MANAGEMENT
We identify, classify and evaluate all substances used in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Our operating and auxiliary materials undergo regular substitution tests in order to achieve an overall lower risk to employees and the environment. All new hazardous substances are subjected to a detailed analysis. We regularly analyse the substances listed in our hazardous substance register in light of new scientific findings on the potentially hazardous properties of the substances they contain.
Regular training courses on the safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances are also an important part of our hazardous substance management. Updating operating instructions and risk assessments is also relevant.
RECYCLING FUSE LINKS
JEAN MÜLLER is a founding member of the non-profit association NH/HH-Recycling e.V., which promotes the environmentally friendly recycling of decommissioned NH/HH fuse links. The association organises the collection and recycling of decommissioned fuse links in Germany. The metals contained (copper, silver) can be almost completely returned to the material cycle. The slag produced during the recycling process is reused in road and dyke construction.
In 2024, 25 tonnes of pure copper and 224 kg of fine silver were recovered from 204 tonnes of used, collected fuses. The proceeds are used to support vocational schools in training young electricians and to fund projects at universities in basic research into the function and application of fuses.
Information on the proper return and disposal of used fuse links can be found at: https://www.nh-hh-recycling.de/. JEAN MÜLLER operates its own collection point at its Eltville site.
NOTE ON WASTE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (WEEE)
The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on our products indicates that this product must not be disposed of with normal household waste, but must be separated for collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Separate collection ensures proper treatment and enables recycling and reuse of resources. Improper disposal can otherwise harm the environment and human health.
We participate in take-back and collection systems for waste electrical and electronic equipment in accordance with legal requirements. Our WEEE registration number is WEEE Reg. No. DE 19233225.
Ensuring that our old appliances are disposed of properly makes particular sense for JEAN MÜLLER products, as the majority of the materials used in our products are recyclable. Some components, such as copper, are even recyclable to a very high degree. However, the plastics used can also be recycled and reused due to their easy mechanical separability and modular design.
