Conserving resources, reducing waste, returning materials and products into circulation: A fully functional circular economy is the key to rising to the challenges of climate change, the waste crisis and scarce resources. Miele has pronounced the circular economy a strategic issue and embarked on a course of action. The company is currently trialling various aspects of circularity under real-life conditions. The domestic appliance manufacturer is selling refurbished washing machines in the Netherlands and researching a reuse of parts and materials.
With a new PV installation at its Warendorf plant, Miele is significantly increasing its in-house production of green electricity. Miele has installed around 620 PV modules on the roof of a production building. With a total output of more than 200 kilowatts peak (kWp), the array generates power each year to the tune of 220,000 kWh – on paper, sufficient to power more than 70 households with an average annual consumption of 3,000 kWh.
Miele, the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances, receives the German Sustainability Award 2024. For the second time since 2014, the family-run enterprise put in a compelling performance as the most sustainable company with its strategy and its action for greater sustainability on all levels – this time in the newly created 'Domestic appliances' category. Success was evidenced both by long-lasting products and resource-saving production, as well as lived responsibility towards supply chains and employees and measures aimed at saving CO2.
Hand on heart: Who doesn't throw food away at home? Each and every consumer bins 78 kg of food each year according to the German Federal Office of Statistics (2020). Frequently, this is produce which is still edible, although it may no longer look fresh or has simply been in the fridge for too long. Proper storage in a refrigerator also plays a key role in any responsible approach to food. To mark tomorrow's International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, here are a few tips and tricks:
The energy and climate crisis has sensitised consumers in Germany. The Hamburg-based market researchers Appinio, commissioned by Miele, revealed that consumers want to place greater store by sustainable criteria when purchasing food, domestic appliances and clothing. But that is where it ends for most people: Consumers leave the huge potential for both the environment and the wallet which comes from the regular use of Eco programmes untapped. Whereby the latter is a clear incentive for sparing use. The survey polled 500 representatively selected men and women each (around mid-July).
Miele was able to reduce its direct and indirect CO2 emissions by 52% in 2022 compared to 2019 - while at the same time increasing its production volume. These and many other key figures are presented by the Gütersloh-based family-owned company in its sustainability update published today. This puts Miele ahead of its self-imposed target of reducing its own emissions (Scope 1) and those for energy deliveries (Scope 2) by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019. Thanks to its particularly energy-efficient appliances, Miele is also ahead of plan with 8.2% savings in the use phase of its products (Scope 3.11).
Soil plays a key role as a carbon sink in achieving the 1.5°C climate target set by the UN. However, soil quality is suffering worldwide due to monocultures, i.e. the cultivation of only one type of crop over several years. Regenerative approaches, however, preserve biodiversity, help restore ecosystems and improve soil health. Miele, as a supplier of coffee and fully automatic coffee machines, is taking it from there and starting sustainable coffee cultivation in Brazil. With this move, the company, which already sources organic and fair-trade coffee through its supplier, is taking the next strategic step towards further reducing CO2 and increasing biodiversity.
Innovative products and services for greater sustainability and convenience are Miele's top themes at this year's IFA. What this means in concrete terms was explained today by Bernhard Hörsch, Commercial Director Sales at Miele Vertriebsgesellschaft Deutschland KG, at the IFA preview 'Innovations Media Briefing' (IMB) in Berlin. At the same time, he gave an initial overview of the new products that the family-owned group will be unveiling under the radio tower at the beginning of September. Motto: 'A Miele Open House', for high-quality, comfortable and sustainable living.
Miele further expands self-sufficiency in green electricity. At its headquarters in Gütersloh, the company is currently installing the second-largest roof-top PV array in the town, comprising around 2,400 PV modules. The installation will have a total output of around 900 kWp and will generate more than 750,000 kWh of electricity per year – sufficient to power some 250 households, each with an annual average consumption of 3,000 kWh. Construction work has already commenced, with the facility expected to enter service this year..
Miele to present innovative products again at Labvolution exhibition in Hanover from May 9 onwards. New connected laboratory glasswashers from the SlimLine generation will be centre-stage with their larger chamber and the EasyLoad system guaranteeing simpler loading combined with greater flexibility and increased capacity. The Miele MOVE online portal will also be presented live with a laboratory glasswasher connected to a PC or mobile device – making it obvious at a glance whether reprocessing has successfully completed (Building 20, Booth A 60).
Aluminium is both strong and light-weight. These and other properties make aluminium an attractive proposition in a broad range of industrial applications. Alongside its use in the automotive sector, this metal also plays a key role in the production of domestic appliances. Aluminium, though, is energy-intensive in production. Hence the more energy is supplied by the sun, wind and water, the more the climate benefits. As part of a pilot project, Miele is now using primary aluminium in the manufacture of ovens produced exclusively using green electricity from hydroelectric power. This way, Miele reduces its CO2 footprint by 645 tonnes a year and, in doing so, is making yet another contribution to greater sustainability in the supply chain.
The battle against climate change counts among the biggest challenges of our day and age. Miele is acutely aware of this and is working on developing solutions which go easy on natural resources and the environment in a bid to contribute towards a better future. But how can sustainability be converted into business models? How are meaningful ideas best put into practice? Miele and TU concept GmbH, a subsidiary of the Technical University Dortmund (TU Dortmund), have instigated a programme for the up-and coming generation in businesses in order to provide answers to these questions – the 'tu.CREATE x Miele Challenge 2023'.
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