Corporate Social Responsiblity

By applying the core values ​​that characterize De Haan as an internationally certified, recognized removal company and relocation specialist, we relieve and relocate our customers in such a way that they feel at home again as soon as possible.

De Haan believes in sustainable entrepreneurship

As a family moving company since 1777, we do business based on the continuity of our organization, our employees, our customers and our environment! De Haan's CSR policy is transparent and has 2 pillars: Planet & People, which we call the “Groene Haan” and the “Sociale Haan”.

Why De Haan relocation acts socially responsible

International moving company De Haan wants to be at the forefront of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) because: 

1. CSR is correct

We believe that business has a major social role and every company should help to leave the world a better place for generations to come! This is natural in a family business with “Protestant Alblasserwaardse” genes

2. CSR is profitable

We believe that CSR is good for Planet, People and Profit. Or CSR is profitable. For many corporate acccounts  CSR is a point in their considerations. A clear CSR policy shows our professionalism. 

3. CSR improves and optimises

As far as we are concerned, responsible and sustainable business is never finished, but a process of improvement and optimization that grows with advancing insights. We believe in transparency, whereby we are always consciously looking for improvements from a vulnerable position.

4. CSR inspires

De Haan has the ambition to be the best. That automatically also means a leading position in the field of CSR. With this we hope to inspire others: suppliers, clients, partners and employees.

De Haan Relocation has responsibility in its DNA

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is actually normal for us. In all our business processes and decisions, we take into account, within our means, the effects of our activities on people and the environment.

Michiel de Haan, 8th generation De Haan and 100% shareholder of our family moving company, was a member of the Partners Council of Corporate Social Responsibility Netherlands (= MVO Nederland): a network organization of entrepreneurs who strive for an economy that is climate neutral, circular and inclusive. and works with fair chains. Michiel de Haan is also a regular speaker on sustainability and leadership of companies such as "Force for Good" and a former member of the Advisory Council of the Fair Climate Fund.

Implementing circularity

For us, circularity means on the one hand minimizing the downtime and waste of raw materials, materials and services and on the other hand maximizing their value. Both in our role as buyer and supplier. We implement this by using materials efficiently, extending the lifespan of products and parts, as well as making and using products smarter.

Efforts & actual results of our integrated vision of circular entrepreneurship

A) Improvements in the field of sustainability and circularity

We choose to bundle the purchasing of our materials as much as possible in order to minimize the logistics flows. We prefer to opt for regional partners, where the transport burden on the environment is lower. This stimulates the regional economy and saves logistics flows and thus CO2 emissions.

      Sustainable raw materials and materials plus waste prevention

• Where possible, our internal and external communication is almost completely digital to reduce paper use. A.o. internally by installing screens in our warehouse plus canteen and an integrated KAM system. Externally by reducing folder material and the implementation of Ipads.

• Our cardboard moving boxes are made exclusively from FSC certified cardboard which consists of a combination of material from FSC-certified forests, FSC Controlled Wood and/or recycled material.

• Use of reusable moving blankets to protect removal goods where possible. Where not possible, we use protective film that is made up of 1 type of recyclable plastic.
  
  
• In our new, own waste presses, we separate paper, cardboard and residual waste for maximum reuse. These devices also compress the content to the maximum. As a result, fewer transport movements are required and therefore less CO2 emissions. Our aim remains to reduce residual waste where possible.

• With the help of the purchased four new roll containers, we collect our own protective film. Plus, our own developped protective film consists per April 2021 entirely of one type of recyclable PE instead of built-up layers from different origins. So 100% recyclable!

• Product for product: effective medio 2021 we buy our own materials from our collected paper, cardboard and PE. Think of office supplies, envelopes, writing pads, pens etc.

• For our specialized commercial moves department, we try to work as much as possible with high quality aids such as roll containers and meter bins instead of boxes.

• Through our office chair cleaning service we extend the life of furniture for our customers

• Sustainable return of (excess) furniture using the circular R-model (=repair), refurbishing (refurbish), reusing parts of the furniture (repurpose) or/and reusing as raw material (recycle): a) dispose of reusable material and give it a second destination for our customers b) disassemble, separate and dispose/sell material that is no longer usable for our customers. By dismantling office furniture, we also need less to drive for miles.

• Waste seperation and use of re-usable drinking cups in our canteen for employees and visitors.

Transportmanagement of our fleet 

• The largest part of our fleet is Euro 6. Our recently purchased removal vans currently meet the strictest exhaust gas emission standard for combustion engines. It prescribes extremely low particulate emissions.

• We set high standards for our moving vans, tire pressure, speed limit, economical driving and training of our drivers in order to contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. The rear axle, for example, goes up and steers with it, which is aerodynamic and therefore causes less wear on the road surface. The side of our moving vans also consists of one plate: safer, aerodynamic and therefore less fuel consumption.

• Through effective route planning and collaboration with our international partners we increase our range with fewer kilometers driven in fully loaded trucks.

• De Haan also had our CO2 footprint calculated via the Organization for Recognized Movers, based on an average (project) removal. This calculation has been kept so broad that sufficient compensation is always provided. Recognized Movers select their compensation projects on the basis of strict international requirements: the Gold Standard (co-founded in 2003 by the World Wildlife Fund). Gold Standard projects issue registered certificates (‘credits’) based on the production of renewable energy.

• We make an extra contribution to our chain partner CTR Logistics BV to realize CO2 neutral container transport within the Netherlands for our overseas customers by planting trees. 

• We are always looking for improvements and make conscious choices when expanding/renewing our fleet. We keep also looking at alternative fuels and sustainable mixes:            2020:https://www.dehaan.nl/nl/blog/nieuws/nieuwste-de-haan-verhuiswagen-ook-op-biodiesel/
  2021:https://www.dehaan.nl/en/blog/news/new-year-off-to-a-good-start-driving-on-vegetable-oil-/
  HVO100 reduces CO² emissions by 90%. The remaining 10% is lost in the process of making and transporting it.
  2022: newest moving truck for relocations De Haan, Netherlands

• New fully electric moving lift with trailer coupling ensures the safe transport of moving goods up to 250 kg up to 21 meters high in a sustainable way per November 2020.

• https://www.dehaan.nl/en/blog/news/electric-trailer-moving-lift-in-use/

• In May 2021, a new forklift truck that can reach over 7 meters high was taken into use. This makes it possible to raise the storage boxes so that we can use floor space and cuboc meters space more effectively.

• Where possible our leased company cars will be driven fully electric. We have installed charging points at our parking spaces on our site. In February 2021, a third electric car was added for the field service. In 2023 we will have eight electric cars within our fleet.

At our location

• Generating energy through our roof: https://www.dehaan.nl/en/blog/news/sustainable-entrepreneurship-is-installing-nearly-500-solar-panels-on-the-roof/. The generated electricity is more than enough for our own electricity consumption and we therefore also supply back to the grid. This surplus may well be used for electric vehicles in the future.
  
  
• Savings on energy use by using motion sensors and LED lights: https://www.leddesignholland.nl/projecten/de-haan-verhuizingen-alblasserdam/

B) Safety and health of our employees and third parties

• Special care: https://verhuisbranche.mantelzorgtools.nl/praktijkverhalen/wouter-hijzen-directeur-verhuisbedrijf-de-haan/
• Vitality promotion: De Haan opts for working from home and bicycling
• We continuously invest in the training of our employees in order to keep the training level of the team as high as possible and thus to be able to provide our customers with the best possible service, now and in the future. De Haan makes intensive use of the best training courses of the FIDI Academy, the one-group training program and the relocation courses of the Organization for Recognized Movers
• International ISO 14001 certification since May 2014. De Haan tries to take maximum account of the impact of its activities on the environment in its business operations. With our , we have implemented an environmental management system that controls the environmental risks of our business operations. This is all checked by an external independent party. At the same time, we continue to develop our environmental policy, putting sustainability at the heart of the process and reducing risks where possible.
• Limiting danger and nuisance: safety clothing, high-quality materials, such as dogs with rubber wheels. Our employees use the LMRA (Last Minute Risk Analysis) checklist before starting work
• Diverse and inclusive workforce, including space for interns and people with a disadvantage to develop with us.

C) Social local initiatives

• Regional partner of Unesco Worldheritage site Kinderdijk (windmills): https://www.kinderdijk.com/support/sponsors/
• Sponsorship library Alblasserdam. With the help of the sponsor money that De Haan Removals made available, an educational corner with many new books, games and other tools has been created for children who could use some extra practice.
• Care we do together: Samen voor Syndion
• Together against the waste of food: the 'Food Bank box' of De Haan
• Reciprocity / SROI initiatives: A move can be a good opportunity to provide a practical lesson and/or involving students in the preparation. For example, in the context of the Great Calculation Day at primary school De Twijn in Alblasserdam. We also organize guided tours of our company for students of various courses.
• From her vision on life De Haan has committed herself to the Waterpas Foundation. Clean drinking water is the first basic need of every person, but unfortunately not available to everyone. With clean drinking water, the children can grow up healthily and learn optimally, so that they have maximum opportunities to build a good future. The Waterpas Foundation aims to generate sponsor money to provide as many schools, orphanages and hospitals in and around Mombassa in Africa as possible with free clean drinking water.
• De Haan is proud of Alblasserdam! Through sponsorship we support various events for and by Alblasserdammers.

De Haan will also continue its improvement program in the future to minimize the impact of its services on the environment and will continue to invest in the development of the talents of its own employees.

A strategy of sustainable, social and innovative entrepreneurship is what we continue to believe in. Together we continue to look ahead. Would you like to ask a question about sustainability topics? Please contact us and we will gladly tell you about it.