Sustainability

Swedencare’s ambition is that our sustainability work should be a natural part of our entire business.

We will follow current environmental laws and regulations and continuously improve our sustainability work. We will economize with raw materials and energy sources and strive to use these of renewable origin. Through constant dialogue, we will set environmental and quality requirements for our business partners and on ourselves. We will constantly increase the competence and commitment of our employees regarding environmental and sustainability issues. We take advantage of the opportunities that exist for recycling paper, plastic, glass, and metal and use energy-efficient alternatives in our offices.

We base our sustainability work on the global goals for sustainable development adopted by the UN General Assembly. Our core business and our mission have been the starting point for which of the global goals we should focus our work and our efforts on.

Swedencare Sustainability policy

Swedencare’s Sustainable development goals

We choose sustainable solutions & options

As a producer, we have an important and large responsibility to take measures to reduce our negative impact on climate, the environment and human health. Swedencare is affiliated with FTI AB (Förpacknings- och Tidningsinsamlingen, formerly REPA), a nationwide collection system for packaging. This means that we fulfill our producer responsibility and participate in and pay for the general recycling stations where you can leave our cartons and packaging materials. We also review all our packaging and components to find more environmentally friendly alternatives.

We email invoices and delivery notes to the customer instead of printing on paper, use cardboard from recycled paper as packaging, and reduce the need for packaging materials and deliveries by having goods in stock and send in bulk instead of several partial deliveries

Something that also has a positive impact on the environment is the efforts we make within our social responsibility. By donating products with short shelf life as well as products with damaged or expired packaging to various pet organizations and homes for homeless dogs that are operated on a nonprofit basis, our products will be used instead of discarded. In addition to helping vulnerable animals, it reduces the impact on the environment.

We protect the ocean

The raw material for ProDen PlaqueOffŸ, our flagship product has, since 2017, met all the requirements for being called organic and therefore has the DEBIO marking, which is a Norwegian mark for organic production. In 2020, our ProDen PlaqueOffŸ powder was also organically certified by the Irish Organic Association. The raw material is harvested sustainably in specially selected areas in the icy waters off Norway and at the Arctic Circle, in one of the cleanest places on earth. Our supplier has harvested the raw material for more than 80 years in a rigorous process with technology and tools that are so advanced that they leave the environment completely unaffected. The post-process takes place in close proximity to where the raw material is harvested to keep all benefits intact.

Together with our supplier, we have developed this unique process to obtain a product of pure and high quality and with the greatest possible effect on oral health. Protecting the sea and marine resources, therefore, means a lot to us. One initiative we have taken in this area is to become so-called coast rescuers. The degradation of our seas is one of the greatest environmental problems of our time. At the same time, it is a problem we can all help solve. From coast to coast, we prevent debris from falling into the sea, one bag at a time. The more who helps, the greater difference we can make.

We contribute to a more equal society

We emphasize the significance of diversity, inclusion, and gender equality and its importance for the economic growth of our company as well as in hiring and retaining skillful employees.

Gender equality is about a fair distribution of power, influence and resources, and it is a prerequisite for sustainable development.  As a result the Swedencare Group consists of 43% men and 57% women. In leading positions the distribution is 53% men and 47% women.

We support women by sponsoring organizations that aim to both reward excellence as well as inspire young women in the industry. One of these organizations is Feather in Her Cap which was created to recognize women that have made a major contribution to the animal health industry.

Environment/Reduction of our Carbon footprint

As a group we identify possibilities where we can contribute to lowering the impact that our organization has on the environment. We recognize our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint, therefore we take the following measures:

  • We reduce energy consumption by using LED lights/ECO lights, sensor monitoring and battery-operated forks. We are also conscious while using our machinery and lights by keeping them off when not in use.
  • We reduce water consumption by installing filters/water cooler in our facilities which has resulted in a significant reduction of the usage of plastic bottles and cups.
  • We take initiatives to reduce the amount of packaging materials and deliveries by having goods in stock and sending in bulk instead of several partial deliveries. We pack our products in multiples which allows us to make efficient use of space in shippers and reduce the need for filling materials). Whenever possible we also use “Master Packing” where we pack in larger cases.
  • We are affiliated with FTI AB (Förpacknings- och Tidningsinsamlingen), a Swedish nationwide collection system for packaging. This means that we fulfill our producer responsibility and participate in and pay for the general recycling stations where you can leave our cartons and packaging materials.
  • We produce environmentally friendly scoops, made out of corn starch plastic, that are used to measure the product given to the pet for our main product ProDen PlaqueOffÂź Powder. We use these scoops in order to reduce the carbon footprint that is left by fossil fuel plastics. Our ambition is to continue implementing more environmentally friendly packing.
  • We plant trees that contribute to reducing the already existing greenhouse gasses. We are not only responsible in the steps we take to prevent the environmental impact, but we also seek to reduce the already existing pollution.
  • We use reusable warehouse containers and pallets. By bringing them back into service we reduce the impact we have on the environment.
  • We recycle as part of our daily life. Whenever possible we recycle our packages and the papers used in the organization. In addition, we lower the paper consumption by as far as possible emailing our invoices and delivery notes to the customers instead of printing them on paper.
  • We reduce our traveling by using online meetings when possible and appropriate. When traveling we optimize it by visiting customers of a close area at the same time.
  • We reduce transportation impact by unifying orders to manufacturing plants as well as getting a running forecast from big customers to be able to unify deliveries and avoid smaller orders.
  • We move towards locations with better logistics that offers public transportation for employees and partners in order to further reduce the impact on the environment as well as offer more environmentally friendly shipping options.
  • We move towards an electrical car fleet to provide for a more sustainable planet. Electrical cars are not only more environmentally friendly by not having any gas emissions, they also need less service due to less moving parts than a petrol or diesel car.
  • We use energy from a compost plant nearby our production facility that supplies AC and electricity. This provides us with renewed energy from a local source to drive our business.

Social

We emphasize the significance of diversity, inclusion, and gender equality and its importance for the economic growth of a company as well as in hiring and retaining skillful employees. As a result, in our global organization, we are proud to represent a workforce with many backgrounds and ethnicities. In addition, as of today 57% of our employees are women and 43% are men. In our leading position we have a division of 47 % women and 53 % men.

  • Gender equality is a prerequisite for sustainable development.That’s why we support women by sponsoring organizations that aim to both reward excellence as well as inspire young women in the industry. One of this organizations is Feather in Her Cap which was created to recognize women that have made a major contribution to the animal health industry.
  • We donate our products with short shelf life as well as products with damaged or expired packaging to local animal shelters, charities and rescue organizations. By using our products and limit waste, we contribute to both animal wellbeing as well as in reduction of our environmental impact.
  • We sponsor several Animal Rescue centers and nonprofit animal organizations.
  • We are part of KustrĂ€ddarna which means that on a yearly basis we help clean the ocean as it’s a source of the active ingredient in one of our flagship products.

Code of conduct – Swedencare employees

Code of conduct – Swedencare suppliers

Whistleblower function

We are sustainable and responsible

Our company strives to maintain a transparent business climate and high business ethics. We value the safety and respect of everyone affected by our business.

Our whistleblowing function

Our whistleblowing service is an early warning system to reduce risks. It is an important tool to foster high ethical standards and maintaining customer and public confidence.

The whistleblowing service can be used to alert serious risks of wrongdoing affecting people, our organisation, society, or the environment.

Employees and other stakeholders are encouraged to report any suspected case of misconduct or unethical behavior at any of the companies within Swedencare Group. The report can include information regarding criminal offences, irregularities and violations or other actions in breach of EU or national laws, within a work-related context.

You do not need proof of your suspicions, but all messages must be made in good faith.

Swedencare Group’s whistleblowing function is set-up to allow fully anonymous reporting of any concerns or potential non-compliance by webform, phone or physical meeting. It is important to include information about where and to whom the reported incident occurred.

How it works

  • After submitting a report, it will be handled, investigated, and followed-up properly and discretely by a mandated person, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality throughout the process
  • If you report through our web-based tool you can monitor your case through the portal
  • It is voluntary to share your personal information, but remember that this makes you non-anonymous
  • Retaliation of any kind against any whistleblower is a violation of Swedencare Group’s Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated.
  • All reports will be assigned a unique case number and you will receive a verification code to confirm receipt of your report.  Note that you need to use this verification code in order to access the case to submit additional information or to get feedback on the case.

Visit our whistleblowing channel here