Dutch express freight company TNT has shown off the company’s expanding environmental credentials by opening its first carbon dioxide emission-free depot in Veenendaal, the Netherlands.

The opening of the Veenendaal depot is the first in what is to be a series of “green” buildings with the company aiming to cut carbon dioxide emissions from  of all of the company’s buildings, not just in the Netherlands but right around the world.

The first of TNT’s green buildings was made possible through collaboration with  the VolkerWessels construction company.  The efforts of both TNT and VolkerWessels resulting in a design that incorporates among other features, the collection of rainwater for flushing the buildings eco-toilets, incorporating low-energy coffee machines and recyclable furniture into the building, as well as using second-hand clinkers for paving.

Externally the building is designed to allow as much daylight as possible into the building, therefore reducing the amount of artificial light required.  In addition, the building produces its own energy with more than 300 solar panels collecting sunlight and converting it into renewable solar energy. Water too is pumped from the ground to both heat and cool the building.

According to TNT, the combination of techniques and measures at the new Veenendaal depot, will allow for energy savings of over seventy per cent compared with a traditional depot. VolkerWessels expects other end users of sustainable business premises to choose similar solutions.

TNT’s green Veenendaal depot has been operational since mid-October and functions as a mail distribution centre for Veenendaal and the surrounding region. 

Source: TNT B.V.

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