Mobilising Businesses for Plastic Reduction - KuBuS at the Bergedorfer Wirtschaftskonferenz

This year’s theme, “Climate Neutrality 2040 – Hamburg’s Economy as a Pioneer,” set the stage for a day of productive discussions which also focused on innovative approaches to sustainability. Plastic reduction could not have been better placed there!

At the conference, we took the opportunity to engage with business leaders and representatives in meaningful conversations about the challenges and solutions related to plastic waste in the Baltic Sea region and in local businesses in Bergedorf. Our goal was to inspire businesses to join our project and showcase their dedication to sustainability beyond the boundaries of Bergedorf. Our participation involved presentations of our Plastic Inventory Tool, a pivotal component of our project designed to help businesses identify their plastic footprint. By demonstrating how this tool works and the benefits it offers, we highlighted the practical steps that companies can take towards reducing their plastic consumption. The event proved to be an excellent platform for valuable networking. We connected with a diverse group of stakeholders, from small local businesses to large corporations, all showing a keen interest in our project.

These networking sessions were not just about exchanging business cards but about building potential partnerships that could lead to substantial environmental impact. Our conversations at the conference reinforced the importance of local business involvement in regional sustainability efforts. By discussing case studies from the network of Plastikfreie Stadt and sharing insights from our work, we provided a clear pathway for businesses to engage in plastic reduction strategies that are both effective and achievable.

Another highlight was a panel discussion featuring a live audience vote on the topic of sustainability and competitiveness. An astounding majority expressed that a sustainable orientation of their businesses was directly linked to economic viability, acknowledging that they could no longer remain competitive without adopting appropriate measures. This consensus left many participants (including us) highly motivated and underscored the critical link between environmental responsibility and business success.

We are excited about the prospects of these new relationships and the positive changes they can bring. If your business would like to be part of the network and learn from best practices in plastic reduction, please do not hesitate to reach out.

For more information on how to participate, please reach out to Johanna Gäbken from Plastikfreie Stadt (KuBuS e.V.) (johanna@plastikfreiestadt.org).

Together, let’s learn from each other and pave the way for a sustainable future.

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