STEELMAKING AS THE ENGINE OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY
The global steel industry started to focus on sustainability in 2002 when it established a common sustainable development policy within the World Steel Association. The members of the association, including SIJ Group, committed themselves to actively develop an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable business model, and to an open and constructive dialogue with all their stakeholders. At SIJ Group, we operate according to the principles of a circular economy, which means that we produce steel exclusively from steel scrap, we close material loops, we increase the amount of sorted own steel scrap, we reuse, recycle or otherwise recover the vast majority of industrial waste, and we are firmly on the path to zero waste disposal.
SIJ GROUP IS A SIGNATORY TO THE WORLDSTEEL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHARTER
By joining the charter, we have committed to continuously reducing our environmental impact and to respect the seven commitments aligned with the UN's sustainable development goals.
- We improve health and safety at work.
- We respect local communities and cooperate with them.
- We operate according to high ethical principles.
- We strengthen our cooperation with the most important stakeholders and create alue for them.
- We develop our production and products in a way that minimizes environmental impact.
- We operate transparently.
- We are expanding our sustainable orientation throughout the entire sales and supply chain.
SIJ GROUP’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IS BASED ON UN GUIDELINES
In September 2015, the UN Summit unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a historic agreement by the international community to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, ensure progress and protect the environment for present and future generations. Respect for human rights and gender equality, as well as ensuring prosperity, peace and security for all peoples and communities, are also at the forefront of the new development agenda.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development balances the three dimensions of sustainable development:
- economic,
- social, and
- environmental
and intertwines them through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.
SIJ Group's sustainable development strategy is based on UN guidelines and includes objectives and specific UN goals that can be particularly influenced. Out of a total of 17 goals, SIJ Group, by itself or through our partners, customers and stakeholders, can contribute to the achievement of the ten specific goals of the UN within the four general goals.
SIJ Group will ensure sustainable ways of production and consumption. We will contribute to open, safe, durable and sustainable cities and settlements. We will build durable infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. We will take care of health and well-being.
We also encourage and guide all stakeholders we do business with to act efficiently and sustainably.
STAKEHOLDERS
We are developing a transparency policy, upgrading and ensuring transparent reporting.
SUPPLIERS
We encourage circular economy throughout the supply chain.
SOCIAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
We support the development of the local and wider communities and reduce our impact on the environment.
CUSTOMERS
We ensure and develop sustainable solutions for our buyers.
EMPLOYEES
With knowledge and competencies, we are developing SIJ Group and taking care of health and safety at work.
MEMBERSHIP IN RESPONSIBLE STEEL™
Since September 2021, SIJ Group has been a member of the international organisation ResponsibleSteel™, the first global initiative for standardisation and certification of responsible and sustainable practices in the steel industry. With these standards and certificates, the international organisation aims to reduce environmental, social and corporate risks across the entire supply chain in the steel industry, and at the same time intends to raise awareness about the use of steel as a sustainable material. The organisation’s standards provide guidance for planning our future sustainable development. One of the milestones of our sustainable development will be the certification by this organisation, scheduled for 2024.
Certification to the ResponsibleSteel™ standard demonstrates compliance with the 12 principles and provides credible transparency and traceability toward key stakeholders.
Principle 1. Corporate Leadership
Principle 2. Social, Environmental and Governance Management Systems
Principle 3. Occupational Health and Safety
Principle 4. Labour Rights
Principle 5. Human Rights
Principle 6. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Principle 7. Local Communities
Principle 8. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Principle 9. Noise, Emissions, Effluents and Waste
Principle 10. Water Stewardship
Principle 11. Biodiversity
Principle 12. Decommissioning and Closure