Pascal, sustainability is a key concern for the entire industry. What role does it play at MEIKO?

Pascal Pawellek: For us, sustainability is not a short-term trend, but an integral part of our corporate DNA. As a foundation-led company, we think and act with the long term in mind – not in terms of quarters, but in terms of generations.

For us, sustainability means combining environmental, economic and social responsibility. This includes the production of resource-efficient technology, energy and environmental management, as well as, for example, health and safety at work for our employees.

We support the United Nations’ sustainability goals and the European Green Deal. At our production site in Offenburg, we use 100 per cent green electricity, operate our own solar panels and use heat pumps. The machines we manufacture are highly recyclable because we use stainless steel. We also have a project that is close to our hearts: our own bee colonies. They make an important contribution to biodiversity in the natural world.
But ultimately, I see sustainability as an attitude that permeates everything – not just our product range, not just our production processes, but also the way we all work together and approach things.

How is sustainability reflected in your solutions in practical terms?

Pascal Pawellek: Machine-based washing, cleaning and disinfection have always been an environmentally friendly approach. This is because machine-based processes not only save time and improve efficiency, but also conserve resources such as water, energy and chemicals. But the best thing about it is that our products can help prevent tonnes of single-use waste – by washing reusable plastic cups, for example.

For example: the use of integrated heat recovery systems can save energy, whilst reverse osmosis systems can reduce the amount of chemicals used whilst still delivering excellent cleaning results.

We also take a holistic approach to food waste management: food waste and organic waste have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Our systems process organic waste hygienically and efficiently, preparing it so that it can be sent to biogas plants, for example, for further energy recovery. This, in turn, makes a valuable contribution – namely, clean energy.

Another important aspect is the durability of our products. Many MEIKO machines remain in service for decades. At the end of their service life, around 90 per cent of them can be recycled thanks to their high stainless steel content.

However, the greatest potential for conserving resources lies in day-to-day operations: modern machinery is more efficient than older models in terms of energy consumption. Whether the old machinery is still cost-effective or whether it would be better to purchase new equipment is a simple matter of calculation.

What practical experience have you had with sustainability and your solutions – and what lessons have you learnt from this?

Pascal Pawellek: Our experience shows that sustainability works best when it is approached holistically. Many businesses in the hotel, catering and care sectors report that, by using our dishwashers and food waste management systems, they have not only saved resources but have also been able to streamline processes and improve working conditions – for example, through better ergonomics. The automatic hood control system, which comes as standard on our M-iClean hood-type dishwashers, can help to significantly reduce the strain on the musculoskeletal system of operating staff.

We see sustainability as the ‘new premium’ – and that is how our products are perceived. It is no longer simply a matter of making savings, but of taking responsibility. This feedback motivates us to continuously improve our products and our service.

How does MEIKO see the future of sustainability in the hotel, catering and care sectors?

Pascal Pawellek: We can see the market changing – and that’s a positive development. In future, sustainability will be seen even more clearly as a shared responsibility. Issues such as food waste, energy efficiency, the circular economy and fair working conditions will continue to grow in importance.

For us, this means supporting businesses on this journey. Not only by ensuring that our solutions conserve resources and reduce operating costs, but also by helping them to comply with legal requirements and regulations, such as those relating to reusable packaging and packaging in general.

Digitalisation will therefore become increasingly important. It will play a key role in making processes more transparent and using data in a targeted manner – for example, in relation to energy and water consumption or the maintenance of our machinery.

It is also a matter of social responsibility. Issues such as the shortage of skilled workers and workload are closely linked to sustainability. When technology – for example, through automation – streamlines processes and makes staff’s day-to-day work easier, this also contributes to the sector’s long-term viability.

To round things off, here’s a personal question: What motivates you to be part of the GreenSign community?

Pascal Pawellek: Sustainability brings people together. GreenSign and MEIKO share similar values – which is why it was a logical step for us to join this network. The hospitality industry and the care sector both play a significant role in the sustainable transformation of our society – and we want to play our part in this.

Together with dedicated partners, I believe we can bring about real change. For me, long-term partnerships based on mutual respect form the foundation of successful collaboration – and that is exactly what I find at GreenSign.

To round things off, Pascal let us in on a little secret: anyone who strikes up a conversation with him might even be in for a little jar of MEIKO honey. ?

Would you like to find out more about sustainability at MEIKO? You can find more information here: