The Foundation for a Sustainable Texel has developed a number of initiatives regarding Sustainable Businesses, mainly targeting the tourism industry (the Foundation was formerly known as ‘Sustainable Tourism Texel’). However, currently plans are being developed for other sectors as well.

Sustainable office supplies

(16 March 2006)

The Foundation has a window-display in a shop with office supplies, full of sustainable supplies. So people can see what sustainable office supplies are available on the island. This is the first initiative within the project "Sustainable Purchasing".

Waddenhaven wins Texel Entrepreneurial Award

(8 March 2006)

The marina "Waddenhaven Texel" has won the Texel Entrepreneurial Award 2005. On March 8th the jury has announced this on a Seminar about Good Entrepreneurship.

Seminar about Good Entrepreneurship

(February 2006)

On March 8th there will be a seminar about Good Entrepreneurship on Texel. During this seminar the jury of the Texel Entrepreneurial Award will announce who will be the winner of this Award.

The Texel Entrepreneurial Award

In cooperation with seven business associations, the Foundation has organized the Texel Entrepreneurial Award 2005 (Texelse Ondernemers Prijs). All Texel based businesses could enter this competition. The award has been in recognition of the three "P-s" (People, Planet, Profit).

Agriculture

In the autumn of 2005 discussions took place between the Department of VROM, farmers' representatives and the Foundation on the possibilities for a transition to a more sustainable agriculture on Texel. An inventory of measures will be made in 2006 specifically focusing on mineral throughput and the growing of crops suitable for biomass energy generation.

Texel Cookery-book

(28 November 2005)

With reference to the recipe competition with Texel products in January 2004, Nauta Book has published the Texel cookery-book "Koken op sien Texels".

Made on Texel

In recent years a number of projects were undertaken to promote the production and use of products from Texel. The environmental impact of transporting goods over distances can be reduced by using local produce. Artisinal production methods often used on Texel further reduce the environmental impact.

The nominees for the Texel Entrepreneurial Award 2005.

Sustainable Purchasing

Currently the Foundation is collecting information on where you can source products that are manufactured in a sustainable manner. We are covering stationary and office equipment, mattresses, flooring, construction materials etc.

Environmental Barometer

The "Milieubarometer" is the Dutch eco-label for businesses in the tourism industry.

On 25 May 2005 Mr Verstand, Secretary of the foundation responsible for the Environmental Barometer, awarded three Environmental Barometers on Texel.

Currently nine very diverse tourism businesses on Texel have been awarded an Environmental Barometer making Texel the municipality with the largest number of Environmental Barometers.

Product-Based Environmental Care

In 2002 a nationwide project was undertaken for the tourism industry: "Productgerichte Milieu Zorg (PMZ)". On Texel the pilot was run at five businesses. The results of this pilot were presented on 29 January 2003 at the PMZ symposium on Texel. Further information (in Dutch) can be found on the PMZ-website.

Eco-labeling

A feasibility study was undertaken on eco-labeling for businesses that provide tourist accommodation on Texel. During this study the Environmental Barometer was set up as a nationwide eco-label. The providers of accommodation decided to join this initiative.

Refuse and emissions control

A project was undertaken to assist Resort The Krim to develop a refuse management system. The system has since been successfully implemented. The system is regularly shown to and implemented or adapted by other businesses.

Related achievements

Businesses on Texel are undertaken a number of initiatives with respect to sustainable business practices - often inspired by work performed by the Foundation.

Finally: as many of the Foundation’s projects in other areas are also relevant to Sustainable Business, businesses can benefit from these other projects as well.