Sustainability and the sanitary industry Our contribution
Water is essential for nutrition, hygiene and cleaning, and as a means of transportation. Our durable, innovative and resource-saving sanitary products make a key contribution towards meeting these basic needs. We have been a reliable partner for the sanitary industry for over 150 years.
For more than 30 years, we have consistently aligned our strategy with long-term considerations - along the entire product life cycle. This commitment is an important reason for the company's success. We believe that one of the greatest contributions to the sustainable use of resources is to continually set new standards for the quality and service life of products.
Geberit products are typically used for decades. In addition, the long-term availability of spare parts and the backwards compatibility of new products make an important contribution to their service life. This makes it easier for construction partners to fulfil the often extensive catalogue of requirements for certified construction projects.
At a glance
Designed for durability
Thanks to high-quality materials and strict quality requirements, Geberit products have a service life that lasts for decades. They are also generally backwards-compatible and are easy to clean and maintain. Furthermore, Geberit ensures flushing functionality of concealed cisterns for 50 years, which means that the corresponding spare parts remain available during this period (with the exception of the specific functionalities of electronic products, such as the hygienic flush or DuoFresh).
Water-saving solutions
Geberit has a long tradition of manufacturing water-saving products, particularly WC cisterns and their components. According to a model calculation, water consumption for toilet flushing has been reduced by around 80% from 70 to 14 litres per person per day since 1952 thanks to several innovations such as Geberit dual-flush and stop-and-go cisterns. Geberit is constantly developing the water efficiency of its WC systems.
Creating added value with ecodesign
Since 2007, all products have been consistently developed according to the eco-design principle: Every new product should be ecologically better than its predecessor - without compromising on quality, functionality or durability. All stages of the product life cycle are considered, from raw material extraction to disposal. Since its launch, more than 200 products have been developed or optimised according to this principle.
Conscientious use of resources
In production, we aim to close internal material cycles, minimise waste and recycle it sensibly. Plastic is used as resource-efficiently and sparingly as possible to manufacture high-quality and durable products. As part of the eco-design workshops, efforts are being made to increase the proportion of purchased plastic regranulate (post-consumer waste) in the products.
Compact packaging
Geberit endeavours to keep the use of packaging material to a minimum. The company is gradually redesigning its packaging and reducing the amount of material required without compromising on product protection. Geberit's packaging strategy aims to ensure that plastic packaging contains at least 35% recycled material by 2030. In addition, 70% of the material used should be recyclable.
Reducing CO₂ emissions
Geberit has been reducing its carbon footprint systematically for years now. Since the acquisition of the energy-intensive ceramics production in 2015, Geberit has reduced its relative CO₂ emissions by 69.3% overall. Around 68% of the purchased electricity comes from renewable energy sources.
Certified production and logistics
All production plants of the Geberit Group, all companies in China, the logistics centre in Pfullendorf (DE), and the management company incorporating all Group functions at headquarters in Rapperswil-Jona (CH) are certified in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety). In addition, eight plants are certified in accordance with ISO 50001 (energy) and eight sales companies in accordance with ISO 9001 (quality).
Social responsibility
Geberit is committed to the human right to clean drinking water and basic sanitation through development projects. In partnership with the Hilti Foundation and Swisscontact, the company promotes the transfer of know-how and vocational training in Kenya with a vocational training programme for sanitary specialists. Around 150 young people are currently learning the sanitary profession at the training centre in Nairobi, while 44 have successfully completed the training. Geberit is also committed to equal opportunities and inclusive workplaces.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD)
Environmental Product Declarations, or EPDs, are an important source of information for building owners, investors, business partners and other decision-makers. They provide information on the ecological footprint of construction products and are based on a detailed life cycle assessment.
Products with third-party EPDs account for 44% of Geberit's Group sales. We therefore offer a wide range of products for buildings constructed in accordance with certification systems such as Minergie, DGNB, BREEAM or LEED.
Download EPDs
Resource-saving and durable products
Geberit WC system with outstanding flush performance
The Geberit WC System, which incorporates a cistern, dual flush, Type 212 flush valve and the WC ceramic appliance with TurboFlush technology, achieves outstanding flush performance. Even with small amounts of water – starting from 2.6 litres for the partial flush and 4 litres for the full flush – the toilet is flushed out optimally, as the water flow is coordinated to match the Geberit concealed cisterns.
Material saving Duofix installation system
Thanks to sophisticated design and the use of less material together with green electricity in production, each new Duofix element for wall-hung WCs causes 10 per cent fewer CO2 emissions compared to its predecessor. The protecting hoses and the protection plugs are made of 100 per cent and 60 per cent recycled plastics, respectively. Spare parts are available for the Duofix installation system for 50 years.
Water-saving dual flush
Around one-third of daily water consumption in the home results from the toilet flush. An average of six to nine litres of water flow into the sewage system with each individual flush. It is therefore worth tackling this issue. By fitting a stop-and-go flush or dual flush, significant amounts of water can be saved compared to a single flush. Modern flush valves such as the Type 212 can also be set so they use a reduced flush volume.
Water-saving type 212 flush valve
The type 212 flush valve makes an important contribution to saving drinking water, as the WC ceramic appliance can be flushed with small amounts of water – from 4 litres for a full flush and from 2.6 litres for a partial flush. It is backwards compatible with all Sigma, Delta and Omega concealed cisterns.
Type 383 fill valve with recycled plastic
The Type 383 fill valve is not only particularly quiet, it is also made of 10 per cent recycled plastic, which is recognisable by the dark grey colour. This is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) that has been recovered from electronic scrap. Compared to its predecessor, the use of plastic has been reduced, resulting in material savings of 40 per cent per fill valve. Incidentally, the fill valve is backwards-compatible and can be installed without any problems in models that are up to 50 years old.
Saving space saves resources
A drainage system with Geberit SuperTube makes it possible to use smaller pipes and to eliminate the ventilating pipe. This saves on materials in tall buildings.
Less material for roof drainage
According to a project example, Geberit Pluvia requires 73% less material weight for PE pipes and fittings compared to conventional roof drainage solutions (calculation according to DIN 1986-100).
Recycled plastic flush guide
The flush guide for the iCon Rimfree Plus toilet is made of 69% recycled ABS plastic. It has a long service life because it is easy to remove for cleaning and descaling.
Sigma20 actuator plate with recycled plastic
The mounting frames for the actuator plates are made entirely of recycled ABS plastic that has been recovered from electronic scrap. The Sigma20 actuator plate in white is 100 per cent recyclable.
Save heating energy with DuoFresh
The Geberit DuoFresh module eliminates unpleasant odours by extracting air right from the WC ceramic appliance and purifying it with a ceramic honeycomb filter. This saves up to 50 litres of heating oil per year compared to conventional window ventilation.
Sanitary ceramics made from natural raw materials
Geberit ceramic appliances are made of the natural raw materials quartz, kaolin, feldspar and clay. Their durability and robustness ensure long-lasting performance and enable reuse at the end of their lifecycle.
Economical use of cleaning agents thanks to Rimfree
The range of rimless WC ceramics is constantly being expanded. Rimfree technology simplifies cleaning and contributes to the economical use of cleaning agents.
Water-saving electronic taps
The use of electronic taps can reduce water consumption by almost 50% compared to conventional taps. Wall-mounted taps are easier and quicker to clean than deck-mounted taps, further reducing the consumption of water and cleaning agents.
Shower channel made from less material
The Geberit CleanLine50 shower channel requires significantly less metal than its predecessor, making it around 50 per cent lighter. The shower channel thus fulfils the requirements of Geberit eco-design, according to which every product has to be better than its predecessor from an ecological perspective.
Water-saving urinals
For the revised Renova urinal series, Geberit has developed a new flush guide that flushes out the ceramic appliance cleanly with just 0.5 litres of water. When the flush is actuated, the outflowing water in the guide opens a flap and is directed evenly into the ceramic appliance. When the water pressure drops, the flap closes again. The result: no dripping water. If everything is controlled via the Geberit Control app, additional water can be saved by reducing flushing times, for example.
Type 240 flush valve with recycled plastic
The Geberit type 240 flush valve is made of 50% recycled ABS recovered from high-quality plastic waste from electrical and electronic appliances. According to the manufacturer, the energy required to manufacture the recycled material is 80% less than that required for virgin material. The flush valve is made with 12% less plastic than the previous model, with a 30% improvement in flush performance.
UWLA Label
The Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) label is an important guide when purchasing modern sanitary solutions. At a glance, it shows how efficient a product – whether a toilet, shower or tap – is. This allows for a reliable comparison of the water and energy consumption of products.
The label is based on clear, Europe-wide recognised criteria and regular inspections, and is ISO 31600 (water efficiency) compliant.
With over 28,000 registered products and 160 brands, it is one of the most established water labels in Europe.
Technical documents – now digital instead of printed
Every year, technical documents like assembly instructions and catalogues generate enormous quantities of paper. That’s why Geberit is transitioning to digital formats.
By scanning a QR code or accessing our digital product catalogue, you can find everything you need, available in multiple languages and accompanied by helpful video instructions. Technical documents and installation videos can be found in the product catalogue on the page of the respective product.
This initiative is helping us save over 1,000 tonnes of paper and 800 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It’s a small change with a big impact.
A binding sustainability strategy
More than 30 years ago, Geberit drew up its first environmental strategy and implemented specific measures. Over the years, this strategy has been gradually expanded into a comprehensive sustainability strategy. It is based on the UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Four goals are particularly important to Geberit.
Tips and tricks to make a difference
Use less water
Tips for saving water
Reduce water consumption in the bathroom
Careful use of water as a resource makes sense. With these six tips, you can noticeably reduce water consumption in the bathroom.
Save water with the toilet flush
Many people think of the shower when it comes to saving water in their homes. But water consumption can also be noticeably reduced when using the toilet.
Avoid waste
Less waste in the bathroom
Shampoo packaging and toiletries - everyday items cause a lot of plastic waste. Simple tricks can significantly reduce the amount of waste.
Regular maintenance
Service for the bathroom
To prevent consequential damage, it is worth servicing the bathroom regularly. Here are a few tips.
Buy durable products
Durability leads to less waste
High-quality, moisture-resistant bathroom furniture lasts longer, leading to less waste. Enjoy your products for years to come by choosing durable and timeless bathroom furniture.
