“GREEN” CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS FROM YOR S.A., A “SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT” IN THE EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

This is the trophy for the FIRST PRIZE IN THE EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY 2011-2011

If you click on the trofhy you will be able to see our summarized candidature document.

 “GREEN” CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS FROM YOR S.A.,

A “SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT” IN THE EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

YOR S.A., specialising in the design and manufacture of children’s playgrounds and urban furniture, has been awarded first prize in the 2011 – 2012 edition of the European Awards for the Environment for companies in the Basque Country, in the category of “Product for sustainable development”.

The project presented by YOR, which has earned this prestigious award, is part of the design process for a new range of children’s playgrounds in which an environmental analysis has been included as a variable priority and that has chosen the “life cycle analysis” as a tool to measure the environmental impact of the project, utilising by the way, the “eco-design” as an innovative factor. As a result the company has created a more sustainable product, optimised the use of materials and improved processes. The result has been an attractive, ecological and financially viable product which perfectly meets its recreational function, and importantly also includes children with disabilities.

Thus, the new range of children’s playgrounds reduce the environmental impact by more than 50% thanks to the careful selection of low impact materials (wood from sustainable sources) and efficient production techniques; using less materials, (lighter and better utilised); and the optimisation of the products life cycle (interchangeability of the parts) and the end of useful life (dismantling of the materials and information on correct disposal at this time).

The results have been:

• A reduction in environmental impact of 56.5%
• Study of the  use of heat treatment of wood rather than chemical
• Cost savings in materials, treatments and manufacture
• Innovation in  design, materials and processes
• The opening of environmentally sensitive international markets
• Improving the quality of life in urban areas thanks to “green recreational zones”  with two functions: recreation and working with the environment
• Maintenance of industrial activity and local employment at a time of strong economic uncertainty.

Innovative vocation

YOR S.A. was established in 1968 and since its foundation has been recognised for its innovative approach to the design and manufacture of equipment for children’s playgrounds and urban furniture. Over more than 50 years it has made innovation, quality, security and respect for the environment of its products, its objective and “raison d’être”,

YOR S.A. is committed, through a green pact with the Town Hall of Vitoria.-Gasteiz within the framework of the European Green Capital 2012, which the capital of the Basque Country will be, to develop environmental projects such as this award winning one, contributing both  to the development of the company and the success of Vitoria-Gasteiz as the Green Capital.

The prize, which has also included other distinguished businesses in the Basque Country such as Iberdrola, Osakidetza, Comarca Bilbao, Udapa, Sener or Colegio Calasancio, was awarded on 20^th December by the Minister of the Environment, Pilar Unzalu, in a ceremony in the Teatro Campos Eliseos in Bilbao, which was attended by more than 100 companies.

This year 27 Basque companies competed, and will compete again, together with the candidates from the rest of Spain for the awards in the Spanish section,

Later on, the winning organisations in each member country of the European Union will compete in their own category in the European competition

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 22 December 2011