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Sustainability at the heart of our business

Erika Bosnyak, Head of Quality & CSR at Smartoptics, shares her thoughts on the key initiatives: “As head of sustainability at Smartoptics, I am proud to say that sustainability is at the heart of our business. As a global provider of innovative optical networking solutions for the enterprise and service provider markets, we take an active role in contributing to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainability is not just a business requirement but a moral obligation to future generations and the planet we all share.”

It’s easy to think that sustainability initiatives are synonymous with environmental efforts, but EcoVadis assessment shows that it’s about much more. The certification looks closely at four areas, each highlighting sustainability from a different perspective: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

“We are fully committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and have taken several initiatives to achieve this. Our dedication to sustainability is evident across our product offerings, operational practices, and collaboration with stakeholders,” explains Erika.

When performance, not words, matters

In meeting customer expectations for a more sustainable business, it is evident that can words are just words, but performance is reality. Erika details how Smartoptics runs numerous concrete initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint through energy-efficient solutions and sustainable practices in the operations. The company also works closely with suppliers and partners to promote sustainable sourcing and ethical practices. To minimize waste, an improved waste management process has been implemented and Smartoptics actively working towards circularity.

“We firmly believe that what gets measured gets done. Therefore, we ensure we have access to relevant data, allowing us to calculate emissions with greater accuracy and set clear targets for the future,” says Erika

She also shares how Smartoptics’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond our own operations and products. The company takes an active role in industry initiatives such as the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) – Project Open Optical & Packet Transport (OOPT). This initiative aims to promote open technologies and interfaces in optical and IP networking: “Through these initiatives, we help to promote innovation and efficiency across the telecommunications industry, which can ultimately lead to a more sustainable future.”

Nurturing a healthy working environment

Returning to the four areas considered in the EcoVadis assessment, sustainability is about more than just working towards environmentally friendly products and technical partnerships. In 2023, Smartoptics added an ISO 45001 certification to its existing ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, further strengthening the commitment to quality, environmental, and health and safety standards.

“We prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. Smartoptics has been certified as a Great Place to Work since 2023. In our most recent employee survey, we measured a TrustIndex© score of 86%. This signifies a high level of trust and confidence from the Smartoptics staff, reflecting our commitment to creating a sustainable, supportive and inspiring workplace,” Erika concludes.

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To learn more about Smartoptics' sustainability efforts, you can download our full Sustainability Report. Should you have any further questions, please reach out to Erika directly.