Since the early 2000s, PILOT, a world leader in the manufacture of writing instruments, has been committed to reducing the impact of its activity on the environment
This commitment materialised in 2006 with the launch of BEGREEN: The world’s first range of pens made from more than 70% recycled plastic. In line with its plans for transparency, credibility and targeted improvement, PILOT worked hard to ensure that the activities of its European industrial site based in Allonzier-la-Caille in France obtained the premium EMAS registration in 2011. Thanks to all this collaborative work, the brand is now privileged to be one of the small circle of companies to possess this recognition program for 10 years.
EMAS in brief
EMAS (Eco Management and Audit Scheme) is a high-performance management tool set up in 1993 by the European Commission. In terms of environmental requirements, the EMAS is the most selective of European regulation. Even more demanding than ISO 14001, EMAS requires an audit and validation of an environmental statement* by an accredited verifier. This statement must be transparent and non-technical in order to be accessible to all.
What advantages has this provided over the last 10 years?
This has challenged the manufacturer towards environmental excellence which has translated into a better understanding and management of their impact. To be efficient, a sustainable policy must be based on the major impact identification, to evaluate them in order to target right actions, to constantly improve by settings indicators, and to be fully transparent by reporting these results to the public.
In other words, EMAS is a European regulation rewarding companies that go beyond simple legal compliance. It is a path of excellence for all organisations wishing to engage in a voluntary approach to continuous improvement of their environmental performance.
What are PILOT’s environmental commitments?
DO BETTER WITH LESS represents the manufacturer’s desire to limit its environmental impact while raising its manufacturing, quality, and innovation requirements. This approach is based on four essential pillars:
– RECYCLE . Less waste to turn old into new, by using recycled plastic material to manufacture our pens.
– REFILL. Less disposable to extend life duration. Over 60% of PILOT products are refillable. Using the same product several times instead of throwing it away is a gesture that’s simple, economical, and ecological
– REDUCE. Less plastic in our packaging to save resources by using preferably recycled carton material in our packaging and FSC-certified cardboard.
– RECLAIM. Less plastic in our oceans* to reduce pollution. In partnership with TERRACYCLE, PILOT is adding reclaimed ocean waste to the recycled PET material used in the manufacture of the Iconic B2P range.
Measurable ideas and actions.
EMAS system is efficient. The results speak for themselves. For 10 years indicators are constantly improving.
In 10 years Pilot has increased the the share of recycled materials in its sales by 50%.
In 10 years, Pilot has reduced quantities of virgin plastic by over 80% by using recycled plastic. Recently, Pilot created a 100% recyclable packaging format for the PILOT Begreen blister-pack range to always go one step forward .
Change the refill, not the pen. By refilling, a B2P roller 3 times, reduces CO2 impact by 37 to 71% compared to the single use of 4 pens.*
Its famous G-2 gel ink roller is made with 40% less energy compared to 2011.
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