FROM RECYCLING TO BIODIVERSITY: PIPELIFE'S GREEN TEAM TRANSFORMS JÜRI PRODUCTION SITE
In 2021, Pipelife Estonia launched its "Green Team" — informal weekly gatherings open to all employees interested in discussing and developing initiatives to make their work environment and its surroundings environmentally friendly and sustainable. Two years later, the Green Team has not only grown and implemented numerous laudable projects, but it has also become the local champion of the corporate Biodiversity Action Program.
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Pipelife Estonia's Sustainability Journey
From cutting emissions and introducing an office-wide recycling program to learning to care for indoor plants and bidding farewell to bottled water, the Green Team at Pipelife Estonia brought in plenty of sustainability-oriented changes already within the first year of its founding.
Including biodiversity in the team's ambitious list of green objectives was a logical step. Already last year, a vivid change could be observed by the employees and visitors of the Jüri production site. The traditionally short-mown front lawn was let to grow and bloom instead, sheltering various insects and birds. To enrich and restore the 1143-m2 lawn as a meadow, the team sowed seeds of local wildflower species that attract pollinators such as wild bees, butterflies and moths.
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This spring, the biodiverse area was expanded even further as the team planted trees in the surroundings of the plant. Local tree species such as Swedish whitebeam and Serbian spruce were selected as they are not only decorative but also highly resistant and suited to urban environments. In late summer and autumn, whitebeam trees also produce delicious berries that provide a welcome replenishment to migratory birds passing by.
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Combating Pollution to Increase Biodiversity
Fighting pollution and improving the quality of the surrounding environment is another vital part of Pipelife Estonia's biodiversity commitments. For example, the stormwater systems of the plant are equipped with the latest-generation oil- and pellet catchers to achieve zero pellet loss.
For the second year in a row, the plant's employees have also participated in World Cleanup Day. The global social action program takes place annually and aims to combat the solid waste problem.
Last year, the team collected more than 600 liters of litter in a 2000-m2 area surrounding the plant. Every spring, the waste is carried here from a wider vicinity by snowmelt; therefore, the team plans to keep up their yearly participation.
However, this year's cleanup also had an additional objective. The plant employees cleaned and expanded the ditch near the production site to make it a more attractive habitat for frogs and other amphibians.
The narrow trench crosses an area that is partially owned by Pipelife and the local municipality, and the changes implemented have created more favorable conditions to the local amphibian populations that are in decline due to increasing habitat loss.
The Plans Ahead
Already the first biodiversity actions at Jüri have brought in exciting results. Apart from a greater variety of insects and birds, several species of mammals, like rabbits and foxes, have been spotted near the plant this year.
And while the Green Team has had quite a busy and biodiverse spring, they are not slowing down. With the number of active members doubling just in a year, the team is already planning its next green steps. Planting bushes next to the parking lot, expanding the wildflower areas and setting up insect hotels are just a few of their future plans.
Find out more about our sustainability commitments
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