Gabriel_Annual_Report_2024-25 - Flipbook - Page 58
CONTENTS // SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT // ENVIRONMENT – RESOURCE USE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Accounting policies
Circular economy
The company’s considerations are based on internationally recognised circular economy models. Gabriel
examines and implements new solutions and business
models that support circularity and resource optimisation in own processes and/or supply chains, including
waste reduction and increased reuse on the principles
of the waste hierarchy and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation circular economy diagram. Gabriel has its own
resources with special skills within circular economy.
Durability and repairability
The durability/lifetime of furniture fabrics in the standard collection are defined based on Gabriel’s 10-year
guarantee. Fabric lifetimes are assessed to be longer
than the guarantee period, depending on use and maintenance. The lifetime assessment is based on tests and
documentation, including accredited standards like ISO
14465, which tests for abrasion resistance, colour fastness, seam slippage and pilling. In FurnMaster, the customers specify the furniture solutions and are responsible for preparing repair guidelines and documenting
the product’s durability/lifetime. The durability/lifetime
of SampleMaster’s products are estimates and depend
on use and product type.
Compared to the furniture industry in general, the
durability of Gabriel’s products is assessed to be above
average. This assessment is made by Gabriel and supported by customer feedback, but is not based on industry
standards as no such standards exist.
Prioritisation of activities and targets
The starting point for prioritisation of activities and targets
is the materiality assessment. The target levels for 2029/30
are set internally by Gabriel and not derived from any
decisive scientific documentation.
Resource inflows, resource outflows and waste
Gabriel has screened and mapped the Group’s own
assets and value chain operations to identify actual and
potential impacts, risks and opportunities related to resource inflows, resource outflows and waste. Mapping
was performed in partnership with internal stakeholders.
Resource inflows in the fabric business FurnMaster and
SampleMaster are considered material as the volumes
used represent a considerable total consumption, which
increases the Group’s environmental impacts and risks.
There were no consultations with external parties, including affected communities, during the screening.
Resource inflows
Gabriel states resource inflows as the total weight in
tonnes of used materials purchased by the Group.
Materials and components are considered immaterial
if very small volumes are purchased and/or they have
no significant impact or risk. Gabriel has developed IT
systems which are used to process the data.
Materials are classified as either technical or biological
based on their ability to be included in technical or biological cycles. Estimates are applied to a limited extent
when weight or composition is not available.
In accordance with the CSRD it must be stated whether
biological materials are sustainably sourced. Gabriel
uses recognised certification schemes such as the EU
Ecolabel and FSC to assess whether materials are sustainably sourced. Absence of documentation for other
materials does not preclude the possibility that they were
also sustainably sourced.
Resource outflows
In the calculation of the rate of recyclable content in products and packaging, the denominator is the total weight
of materials used in the reporting period.
The EU’s waste fractions are applied as the basis of assessing whether materials are recyclable. Fabrics and
sample and decision-making tools are considered recyclable if it is practically possible to disassemble, sort
and recycle them. Estimates from external sources documenting the recycling potential are applied to furniture
and electronics.
any large extent and is mainly related to discontinued
production during the year.
Gabriel has no activities related to preparation of waste
for reuse. Waste for reuse is sent as it is without any
further treatment.
Waste data are collected from Gabriel’s own production companies and storage facilities, where the main
waste quantities are generated. Actual data from waste
handling companies are used to the extent possible, and
if no such data exist, estimates are made. Waste figures
from offices without production or storage facilities are
estimated per person based on the amount of waste
generated at head office.
The amount of recyclable packaging materials includes
pallets that can be reused.
Total waste amount and waste treatment
Waste handling follows national law in the countries
generating the waste. Gabriel’s waste categories reflect
resource inflows, including fabric, fibre and yarn waste,
electronic, plastic, metal, wood, foam, leather, paper and
cardboard waste, residual waste and other waste. Hazardous waste is not normally generated in production to
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