Thinking sustainably.

Acting responsibly.

Step by step.

#theschneiderway

Sustainability is not a goal we have to achieve, but a path we are committed to take.

We think sustainably and take decisions regarding our production responsibly and with awareness. Due to our proximity to nature, sustainability is deeply rooted in our minds and leads us like a compass. Sustainable practice is the sum of many small decisions. A way that we have been following step by step.

Explore #theschneiderway here. You have a specific question about a certain topic? Then feel free to ask.

Long ago, we embarked on a journey to protect our nature in its uniqueness and beauty for ourselves and future generations. For our goal to achieve a sustainable future, we face new challenges and opportunities every day. We progress continuously, step by step, and achieve successes that encourage us in our direction and conviction. Be our companion on our #theschneiderway!

Schneider addresses the climate protection subject as credibly and consistently as only few others do.

Sustainability in figures

By taking many practical measures, we create tangible improvements and number-based facts.

Our principles for creating sustainable change: We protect the environment. We are regionally entrenched and operate internationally. Our products are becoming more and more sustainable.

in Germany

Production sites in Schramberg-Tennenbronn (Black Forest) and Wernigerode (Harz)

in the company

From hydropower, own combined heat and power plants and photovoltaic systems

in Europe

Measured by freight volume of all procured goods

in our own production

Despite growing sales, we have continuously reduced our waste volume

Certified by EMAS

Since 1998, our environmental management system has been certified according to the world's most stringent standard, EMAS. Since then, we have published our environmental performance in a sustainability report.

for over 30 % of the packaging

Almost all packaging is procured in Germany.

by supporting certified climate protection projects

The offset of unavoidable emissions takes place before, during and after the production process of 22 product series.

for all product packaging made of cardboard or paper

For blister packs we use recycled plastic

How our way began

At a very early stage, we began to focus on resource-saving and environmentally friendly processes. Discover some examples and milestones that mark our sustainable way into the future.

1948

Schneider is the leading manufacturer of refills

Schneider brings the "good Schneider refill" to market maturity. Refilling the ballpoint pen was out of the question at that time, because the pens were expensive.

1998

Schneider gets certified

In 1998, Schneider gets certified for the first time according to the eco-management and audit scheme EMAS. EMAS was established by the EU in the same year and Schneider was the first and, for over 10 years, the only company in the industry to be certified with this most stringent environmental management system in the world.

2010

Schneider goes for renewables

Since 2010, after a gradual changeover, we have been using electricity exclusively from renewable sources. If it is not generated directly in our facilities, through our own solar panels and combined heat and power generation, we obtain electricity from hydropower.

2012

Launch of a bicycle scheme

Schneider acquires a fleet of electric bicycles and lends them out to interested employees. The e-bike fleet grows steadily, and as of today, about 330 employees take advantage of the company's bike leasing service, saving about 400,000 car- kilometres per year.

2014

The first electric car at Schneider.

The car is ideal for short distances, small transports or rides to the nearest train station, because travelling by train is mandatory for business trips whenever possible. Currently, 90% of the company fleet is either electric or hybrid.

2016

Kick-off for the first Schneider-Run

As a highlight of the implementation of a Corporate Health Management, Schneider initiates the charity run 'Schneider Run'. The participation fees for the competition were donated to a social institution. The charity run takes place annually since the first time and has become a popular event in the area.

2017

Sustainability Award

Schneider is awarded 'Sustainable Company of the Year' by the PSI, the largest international network in the promotional products industry. The award is intended to make sustainability measurable and is presented in 7 categories. Adding up the scores achieved in the individual categories results in the overall award ‘Sustainable Company of the Year’. Also in the following years Schneider repeatedly achieves awards in the different categories.

2018

The first Blue Angel

Schneider's rollerball Breeze is the first writing instrument ever to be awarded the eco-label Blue Angel. The Blue Angel is the oldest and best-known eco-label and Schneider is the first company to meet the demanding requirements for a writing instrument.

2019

Schneider has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award, and is thus one of the most sustainable companies in Germany.

The German Sustainability Award is the most important award in the field of environment and sustainability in Germany! The award is presented by a Foundation of the Federal Government, municipalities and federations. Schneider also managed to be nominated again the following year.

2020

The first ballpoint pen in the world to receive the Blue Angel

At the industry's largest trade fair in Frankfurt, the Paperworld, we proudly received our seventh Blue Angel. The highlight: Reco is the first and only ballpoint pen in the world to receive this award. We are particularly proud of this, because the regulationsto obtain the eco-label Blue Angel pose a special challenge for ballpoint pens.

2021

Sustainable packaging

Traditional raw materials are increasingly being replaced by renewable or recycled materials. Multi-material and plastic packaging is gradually being switched to more sustainable cardboard packaging made from recycled paper.

Sustainability on a product level

The longevity of our writing instruments which is guaranteed among other things by high-quality workmanship and long writing performance, is the most important contribution to avoiding waste. In addition, we focus on the following building blocks:

Pens made from recycled material

The use of recycled plastics protects the environment and saves resources.

Refillable pens

By providing easy refill options, we avoid waste and extend the lifetime of our products.

Pens made from bio-based plastic

Bio-based pens are made from renewable raw materials and conserve finite natural oil reserves.

Climate neutral pens

To achieve climate neutrality for our pens, we offset unavoidable emissions by supporting climate protection projects.

Further documents on the subject of sustainability

You haven't found exactly what you are looking for and you need more information? This is where you can find further documents to download.

You can find the latest sustainability news here in the news room.

Sustainability Report

Validated Sustainability Report including the current Environmental Statement

Download PDF

Sustainability brochure

Brochure with general information on sustainability at Schneider

Download PDF

Sustainable Products brochure

Overview of all sustainable product series

Download PDF

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider and the SDGs

Download PDF

Certificate ISO 14001

The international environmental management standard ISO 14001

Download PDF

Certificate ISO 9001

The standard for quality management systems

Download PDF

EMAS IHK registration certificate

Environmental management system

Download PDF

Emissions report (CCF)

Our Corporate Carbon Footprint (Scope 1-3)

Download PDF

Labels and certificates

Trust and transparency are important to us

That is why we seek to certify our products and materials and show their sustainable properties by using logos. Find out more about the logos and what they stand for.

The eco-label of the Federal Government serves as a orientation for sustainable purchasing. It guarantees that the products meet high standards of environmental, health and performance characteristics.

Writing instruments with this logo are made of bio-based plastic. These are made from renewable raw materials (e.g. corn or sugar cane) and conserve finite resources.

Writing instruments featuring this logo are made from recycled plastic. The use of recycled materials avoids waste, reduces emissions and conserves finite resources.

Writing instruments with this logo are manufactured carbon-neutrally. Unavoidable emissions that occur during production are offset by supporting certified climate protection projects.

The EU scheme is one of the most stringent environmental management systems in the world. It obliges companies to continuously improve their environmental performance (energy consumption, waste, emissions).

EU-wide certification scheme for the recycling of plastics, which focuses on the traceability of plastic materials and on the quality of the recycled content in the final product.

DIN CERTCO is an independent certification body of the TÜV Rheinland Group that determines, confirms and validates the proportion of bio-based materials in products.

For me, sustainability has a lot to do with taking action in our own community and environment. It is therefore important to me to support local and smaller businesses.

The processing of bio-based and recycled plastics poses enormous challenges for us. It is in fact very difficult and it took us a long time to meet our quality standards. To counterbalance this effort and the pioneering work, we have to sell a lot of pens.

Recycled paper is no longer just for “greenies”! In the printing industry, many things have improved in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability.

In the human resource department, we place a lot of emphasis on retaining our employees on a long-term basis. That is why we opt for unlimited employment contracts. This enhances trust, which is an important pillar of our company.

Schneider and the SDGs

In 2015, the United Nations Member States defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They represent the most important factors for achieving a global community that is sustainable from an economic, social and ecological point of view by 2030. In order to achieve the ambitious goals, everyone is requested to participate. We would also like to make a contribution and have selected eight goals on which we have the greatest influence.

Do you still have a question about Schneider or our pens that could not be answered on this page? Then send me an e-mail - I'm looking forward to it!

Ask Martina