HSH Chemie’s Hamburg team took to the Alster in kayaks, collecting waste and promoting sustainability as part of the GreenKayak initiative.
Paddling with purpose: HSH Chemie colleagues join an eco-friendly initiative for environmental management.
On May 23, 2025, the HSH Chemie Hamburg team took to the waters of the Alster for a unique day of sustainable action and team building. Under the banner “HSH Chemie Paddles for a Cleaner Alster,” a group of dedicated colleagues traded their desks for kayaks, uniting to make a tangible difference for the local environment and strengthen team bonds. This event directly reflects our dedication to environmental management and sustainability.
At HSH Chemie, corporate sustainability is more than just a principle—it’s an integral part of our values and business strategy. As a leading chemicals distribution company, we recognize our responsibility to protect the environment and promote eco-conscious practices across our operations and within the community. Our overarching commitment to environmental management and sustainability truly guides our actions.
This sustainability effort, part of the international GreenKayak program and supported by the German Ministry of Environment and Energy, allowed us to translate our environmental commitments into direct action. Equipped with kayaks, paddles, and waste-collection tools, our colleagues worked together to remove trash and debris from the Alster Lake, water banks and surrounding environments, contributing to cleaner local waters and a healthier ecosystem. We are proud to take part in such eco-friendly initiatives within our community.
The day began with a light breakfast and briefing, where participants received instructions and prepared for a friendly competition: to collect the most waste from the water and water banks. Each team sported custom-made T-shirts, designed specially for the event to reflect our sustainability values and team identity. With paddles raised and spirits high, the teams launched onto the Alster around 12:00 noon.
Teams supported each other, maneuvering kayaks, spotting litter hidden beneath overhanging branches, and cheering each other on. Behind the fun was a serious and purposeful sustainability effort to protect our environment. Every bottle, plastic bag, and stray item pulled from the water and/or water bank served as a potent reminder of the vital work that lies ahead, and of the power of collective action. This kind of active participation really highlights the practical side of environmental management and sustainability.
The winning group collected an impressive 8 kg of waste, demonstrating their focused effort on giving their all to this eco-friendly initiative. The other groups together collected around 16 kg, contributing significantly to the overall cleanup.
The GreenKayak Initiative is an innovative approach to environmental engagement, offering individuals and companies the opportunity to paddle for free in exchange for collecting trash from the water. This concept—connecting recreation with responsibility—was a perfect fit for HSH Chemie.
Participating in this sustainability effort aligns with our broader commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). We actively support efforts that improve the well-being of our communities and ecosystems. Understanding the advantages of corporate social responsibility is key to our business philosophy. Whether reducing our carbon footprint, optimizing our supply chains for sustainability, or investing in local causes, we are constantly seeking ways to turn our values into measurable impact. This also directly supports our broader environmental management and sustainability goals.
By joining GreenKayak, we not only demonstrated our environmental stewardship but also deepened our connection to the Hamburg community. Local efforts like these are vital, reminding us that global change begins at home—with the rivers we clean, the partnerships we forge, and the values we uphold. This participation clearly illustrates the many advantages of corporate social responsibility and taking part in eco-friendly initiatives that leave an impact.
While environmental sustainability was the primary focus, the team-building aspect of the day was equally important. Collaboration, communication, and mutual support were crucial as teams navigated the water, coordinated their cleanup strategies, and encouraged one another. This event was a fantastic eco-friendly initiative for fostering team cohesion.
This initiative proved to be a powerful reminder that team spirit and purpose-driven work go hand in hand. It gave our colleagues a chance to connect outside the workplace, reinforce teamwork, and celebrate shared achievements, fostering a resilient and engaged workforce.
Following the on-water action, teams reconvened at the nearby Alster Lagune for a well-deserved lunch and celebratory drinks. The camaraderie continued as colleagues swapped stories from the water, laughed over the day’s adventures, and applauded the collective effort to collect as much waste as possible.
At HSH Chemie, this event was not an isolated effort but part of an ongoing journey toward greater environmental management and sustainability. We believe in a sustainable world for all, and we are eager to contribute through both large-scale initiatives and local actions like this one.
As a company that operates across 14 countries and serves a diverse range of industries, particularly in chemicals distribution, we understand the importance of leading by example. From promoting green chemistry and eco-friendly product solutions to supporting our partners in their own sustainability journeys, we aim to be a catalyst for positive change. Internally, we are embedding sustainability into our culture by encouraging staff-led initiatives, promoting awareness, and offering opportunities for engagement. This event is proof of what can be achieved when our teams unite around a common cause, representing a significant sustainability effort.
We are proud of the impact we made during our day on the Alster, but we know that true change is ongoing. That’s why we will continue to support local clean-up efforts, explore new sustainability partnerships, and look for innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. Our commitment to environmental management and sustainability remains a priority for us.
Events like “Paddling for a Cleaner Alster” show that environmental action can be joyful, inclusive, and deeply meaningful. It brings to life the idea that every small step, every piece of trash collected, and every conversation sparked matters. Together, we can paddle toward a cleaner, greener future, proving our dedication through concrete eco-friendly initiatives.
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