CS Digital Media contributes to Amsterdam's sustainable and social growth

Veenman: 'We believe that, as an entrepreneur and as a company, you have to take responsibility for the society you operate in today.' CS Digital Media has long tried to lead by example internally as well. Among other things, the company is certified by PSO Nederland (the Social Enterprise Performance Ladder), which means it provides workplaces for people who are distanced from the labour market.

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'CS Digital Media invests in developing clean energy and is working towards becoming a paperless company. We've also switched to a fully electric fleet,' says Business Analyst Mark Bontekoning. 'Of course, you can't just present great concepts to the outside world. Start with yourself. That also makes it easier to promote these values elsewhere, as in the Amsterdam concession.'

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'The sustainability plan includes a whole range of proposals that fit the complete cycle of the circular economy, focused mainly on pursuing energy- and climate-neutral policies and operations,' says Veenman. Take the dimmable screens. They use as much as 30 percent less energy and, as a result, have a substantially longer life cycle. Another example: all of CS Digital Media's servers are hosted by Google and run on the green electricity purchased by the tech giant. Suppliers are also held to high standards when it comes to recycling products, preventing waste, and collecting and processing it separately and responsibly. The design of the waiting areas takes into account, among other things, how easily the various parts can be dismantled for responsible collection. The design is also based on full upcycling, meaning that at the end of their life, the waiting areas can be used entirely to make new products, such as canopies over cash machines or shelters at sports clubs.

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Veenman: 'In setting out our sustainability principles for the waiting areas, the screens and the use, maintenance and disposal phases, we really went back to basics. Where do the raw materials for products come from? Are human rights respected in that process? Is child labour involved? Does our supplier avoid toxic, polluting chromium? How does our maintenance partner make sure it doesn't drive too many kilometres, in line with set standards? And so on, and so on. We researched, checked and documented everything in detail, so that we too contribute to the city's ambition to become a green city. That's a nice thought, isn't it?'

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In its plan of approach for running the Amsterdam metro network concession, CS Digital Media has set out an extensive package of sustainability and social measures.

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• CS Digital Media only does business with companies that work according to the cradle-to-cradle principle. This means that all materials from suppliers can be reused at a high level of quality. Residual waste is also separated, collected and processed responsibly.

• When purchasing materials (screens, waiting areas), CS Digital Media works only with suppliers that respect human rights and operate and produce in line with international laws and regulations.

• At the end of their life, the digital screens are recycled in accordance with the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

• CS Digital Media gives people who are distanced from the labour market opportunities to work, both within its own ranks and at partners. As an accredited training company, CS Digital Media offers work placements in a range of disciplines, including IT, media management and editorial.
• If airtime is available, charities (in the past including the Longfonds, the Hartstichting and KWF) are given a platform, while a heavily reduced rate card applies to cultural institutions.

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