Born in Herning, a town in central Denmark, Erik Aelmholdt grew up with an environmental consciousness. It is something he says was ingrained in him from his earliest days. Fast forward a few decades and it’s therefore easy to understand why Aelmholdt was delighted to take up the position of Environmental Coordinator to Site for Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company in 2022.
California's Think Green Initiative
With a background in quality assurance and ISO compliance, a big part of his job is to ensure that the company is compliant with two ISO certifications: ISO 14001, which covers the environmental management system; and ISO 50001, which is for the energy management system.
With his passion for the environment, it is no surprise to learn that he was involved in several sustainability projects prior to landing his current position. In 2020, for example, he began his involvement in Think Green, an initiative focusing on improving the company’s recycling efforts, which supports the wider Atlas Copco Group’s climate-protection ambitions.
Think Green recently identified five new initiatives selected to maintain the positive start in reducing the company’s carbon footprint:
1. California Green Business Certification
2. Flexitallic gasket recycling program
3. Electrification of forklifts
4. Replacing gas powered heaters with electric
5. Carbon offsets program
California Green Business Certification
In addition to ISO, Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company is also California Green Business certified, an initiative that shows the local community and potential new employees that Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company is an environmentally conscious company and a good neighbor.
Erik Aelmholdt at Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company in California
Erik Aelmholdt at Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company in California
Flexitallic gasket recycling program
After taking hundreds of photos to investigate what went into the company’s 40-foot roll-off dumpster, Aelmholdt discovered lots of discarded Flexitallic gaskets that were prime objects for recycling. In coordination with the department using most of the gaskets, he came up with a system for their recycling.
Electrification of forklifts
Formerly powered by propane gas, the company’s new forklifts are powered by electricity from renewable sources. In fact, since 2020 Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench has purchased 100% of its electricity consumed at site from renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
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Electric Forklift Fleet at Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Company
Replacing gas-powered heaters with electric
The company’s heaters used to heat up the 80,000-square-foot production floor with natural gas. In 2023 management gave approval for the purchase of 20 electric heaters, which were installed during the fall.
Carbon offsetting
In 2020 Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench started buying carbon offsets on a quarterly basis in order to compensate for all of its CO2 emissions. The money paid goes towards a large reforestation site in Cambodia known as the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, which acts as a carbon sink.
Looking to the future
The Atlas Copco Group has adopted the goals from the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which aims to keep the rise of global temperature well below 2°C in relation to pre-industrial levels. Atlas Copco decided that two aggressive targets should be met by 2030:
Target 1: Reduce CO2 emissions from internal operations and energies consumed by 46% over a 2019 baseline.
Target 2: Reduce CO2 emissions from in/and outbound transportation and business travel by 28% over a 2019 baseline.
Certificate of Sustainability
The 2030 goals are a challenge, but Aelmholdt’s long-held passionate for the environment since childhood keeps him optimistic that the company will succeed.
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