02.02.2024
The Swiss manufacturer of sustainable hotel beds not only wants to set new standards in production. Swissfeel is also involved in the reforestation of over 300 hectares of woodland.
Since its foundation, the owner-managed company has been committed to its responsibility towards people and the environment. In addition to offering solutions for growing challenges in the hotel industry in terms of sustainability, hygiene and profitability, Swissfeel also sees it as its duty to make a wider contribution to society. For this reason, trees have been planted regularly since 2022 in a project with the Lower Saxony State Forestry Department. This commitment is also intended to contribute to a consistent zero CO2 focus.
“We want to do more than just manufacture sustainable, durable and high-quality products. It is also a goal to expand our activities for the benefit of society. Swissfeel should be an enkelfähiges company. The forest project in collaboration with Landesforsten Niedersachsen is a matter close to our hearts, because trees are so much more than just tall plants that store a lot of CO2. They provide oxygen, shade, hold the soil together and, as forests, offer peace and relaxation. Forests are also under serious threat in Europe. We therefore see it as our duty to make a contribution to the community here”,
says Philipp Hangartner, Managing Director of Swissfeel AG.
Swissfeel is already one of the most sustainable companies in its sector thanks to its highly CO2-reduced production in Switzerland - with the help of hydropower, among other things - short delivery routes, extension of the product life cycle and subsequent recycling by SWISSFEEL-2-CYCLE. However, further measures are needed to offset the unavoidable residual CO2 emissions. As part of a review process, Swissfeel has now opted for a project in the heart of Europe.
Philipp Hangartner adds:
“Climate change has also torn wide wounds here that need to be healed. As a medium-sized company in particular, we also see it as our responsibility to provide active support.”
This is why Swissfeel is now supporting the long-term reforestation of 300 hectares of land in Lower Saxony to prevent soil erosion, stabilize the drinking water supply and bind CO2. The fact that such a “Swissfeel forest” is being created in Europe and not overseas is also due to the desire to help as directly as possible, without costly intermediary organizations and in direct, personal contact with the local forestry offices.
But Swissfeel also sees its responsibility in the social sphere: for years, both students and universities have been promoted and supported in sustainability projects. Swissfeel also supports employees in the hotel industry, for example with the Swissfeel sponsorship award. This includes vouchers for courses at the German Hotel Academy or the GreenSign Academy. At the product and production level in the core area of mattresses and pillows, Swissfeel has always attached great importance to its health and ecological responsibility. All products are OEKO-TEX certified and tested for house dust mite allergy sufferers. Swissfeel regularly produces a life cycle assessment. Just last year, Swissfeel was awarded “Silver” by the rating agency “EcoVadis”. The project with Landesforsten Niedersachsen is now intended to close the remaining gap on the way to zero CO2 production.