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After receiving the EcoVadis silver medal in January, Dinolift conducted a carbon footprint analysis. This study will enable the customers and the company to manage and comprehend the carbon footprint associated with the DINO MEWP fleet effectively.
Dinolift, in partnership with consulting firm Ecobio, has completed the initial stage of a study to assess the environmental impact of the DINO fleet. The study report, titled ‘Carbon Footprint Study Report - Dinolift Oy's Mobile Elevating Work Platforms’, focuses on the usage phase of the machines, and a condensed version of the data will be provided to customers.
“We aim to produce relevant carbon emissions data for our customers and ourselves to support decision-making. The carbon footprint study is the first step towards our target to provide emission data on the lifecycle of our products and help evaluate overall costs,” explains Minna Salmi, Finance and Business Director at Dinolift.
The move follows Dinolift being awarded a silver medal in January by EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. The recognition means the company is in the top 16 percent of companies rated by EcoVadis in the manufacture of general-purpose machinery industry.
Data to optimise operations and emissions
The carbon footprint of 17 models from five product lines was assessed and calculated, including the transportation and usage of the machines in different settings. The data indicates that a MEWP's power source significantly impacts the carbon footprint related to its use.
Salmi reveals, “The machines with a 230v AC electric motor operating from the mains or a battery have the lowest CO2 emissions during the use stage. Even though the power source is significant from a carbon footprint perspective, a lot depends on how the machine is used and how far the transportation distance is.”
She adds that when calculating carbon emissions, “We must consider which variables to include and what’s the baseline data. The current challenge with measuring the carbon footprint of a DINO is that only the mean value of its emissions can be used.” But that is set to change.
“Once the MyDINO telematics tool has been used for an extended time, there will be enough data to make more accurate calculations of the CO2 emissions during the use stage. This will enable our clients and engineers to evaluate and optimise fuel consumption, maintenance needs, utilisation rate and transportation distances,” she continues. “It will also help to rein in costs and increase the operating life and the resale value of the machines.”
Real change for sustainability
Even though data from the first study is in, it will take time for the benefits to become available for customer use. Salmi explains that the endeavour is a conversation starter: “We want to know what matters to our customers regarding sustainability and what data they want about their DINOs. Alongside EcoVadis, this first study acts as a tool to improve the sustainability of our products and operations.”
The R&D department will utilise future data from the Ecobio study to mitigate carbon emissions at various usage stages of the MEWPs. While the usage phase significantly contributes to the overall carbon emissions of the MEWP's life cycle, the research will also encompass CO2 emissions from other stages, including raw materials production, manufacturing, transportation and the recycling of the machines.
Raija Savolainen, Sustainability Manager at Dinolift, says that tools like EcoVadis and the carbon footprint study are essential in instilling trust and guaranteeing transparency to customers and other stakeholders.
She adds, “The EcoVadis rating is an invaluable third-party sustainability evaluation. Overall, it helps Dinolift to analyse the status of its corporate sustainability. To improve our scoring even more, we will review a few crucial areas more closely, such as strengthening the documentation on sustainable procurement policies.”
The EcoVadis methodology is based on international sustainability standards. The assessment covers themes across a broad range, including environmental, labour, human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement impacts. The rated company can also see how its score compares to the benchmark in its industry.
Savolainen concludes by saying, “Both the carbon footprint study and EcoVadis recognition add credibility to us as a company striving to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and invest in sustainability.”
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