Environmental protection and sustainability as a matter of the heart
As Environmental Officer, Brigitte Götte is responsible for environmental protection and sustainability at thyssenkrupp Steering in Mülheim an der Ruhr. A challenge that the 63-year-old faces with great commitment. After all, protecting the environment is also a matter close to her heart in her private life, for example by campaigning for "Fridays for Future".
Brigitte Götte originally wanted to become a maths and physics teacher but decided on a different path during her studies. A career in the automobile industry replaced the planned career in education and she first trained as an industrial management assistant and later as business IT specialist and programmer.
In 1994 she joined Mercedes-Benz AG at its Düsseldorf plant for steering systems and, in 2003, thyssenkrupp when it took over Mercedes-Benz Lenkungen GmbH. At this time, she was responsible for the quality management system and, a short while later, was also assigned with the environmental management system.
“Sustainability was and remains one of the key issues of our time”
Today the 63-year-old is responsible for the integrated management system which incorporates quality, environment, energy and occupational safety, at thyssenkrupp Steering’s Mülheim an der Ruhr site. The job as environmental representative, in particular, is for her an equally important as well as exciting challenge.
“As environmental representative my work involves dealing with the legal requirements as well as those of the customers,” says Brigitte. “Here, I have to continuously ensure that legal requirements, for example from the Circular Economy Act and Environmental Liability Act, are followed.” Further duties also include direct contact with the authorities, for example the Environmental Authority, as well as the continued development of the environmental management system and ensuring certifications are upheld.
She is convinced: "Sustainability was and is one of the key issues of our time. We need to preserve our planet for future generations. At the same time, we are an industrial company that creates jobs and sells products all over the world". It's about finding the right balance between sustainability and profitability. "We must do everything we can to develop and manufacture our products sustainably within an economically viable framework. We all owe it to our environment."
"There is only one Earth"
Her job also involves "raising awareness of environmental protection and sustainability among colleagues", as Brigitte emphasizes. A task that requires strong communication skills, enthusiasm and often exceptional commitment. Perfect for the lively quality manager, who as a trainer can now even live out her original career aspirations at thyssenkrupp. Brigitte has been giving training courses in various areas for years - currently on the topic of sustainability, for example.
One of her most successful sustainability projects is the evaporation surface for absorbing rainwater from the entire production halls. This has created a biotope for plants, animals and insects. Waste water charges have been significantly reduced thanks to this measure. This idea gave rise to other smaller environmental projects such as a wild meadow and insect hotels. To reduce CO2 emissions, six fruit trees were planted on site, which are cared for and nurtured by "tree sponsors".
"I am also currently working with our energy manager on an information campaign on the topic of sustainability. We are currently assembling an advertising pillar from old oil drums. We are equipping it with information on the topic of sustainability and launching a small educational series on the subject of CO2 emissions. We then place the advertising pillar in all areas of our company for certain periods of time. On World Environment Day on June 5, 2022, we will be holding a quiz with questions on the topic of sustainability. All the answers can be found on the advertising pillar in advance."
Environmental protection and sustainability are also important to Brigitte in her private life. "Among other things, I support the Fridays for Future campaign as much as I can," she reveals. "I've already painted posters for it with my eight and eleven-year-old grandnieces." For her, it goes without saying: "There is only one Earth and if we don't protect and preserve it, life on this planet will become increasingly difficult. Environmental protection starts with small things," Brigitte is convinced, "not using plastic bags when shopping, not flying on vacation, buying regional products and no strawberries in winter!"
Whoever is so committed, both privately and professionally, experiences various curious and beautiful stories over the years. However, Brigitte's current highlight is completely natural: "We have set up a "bulky waste" container at our waste disposal site. A plant has now made itself at home in it. Nature is simply reclaiming its habitats."