An Israeli sandal company is planning on becoming one the first major ‘of-the-grid’ companies in the world. “Shoresh, also known as “Source'' outside Israel, is working to show the entire world how manufacturing plants and factories can become completely energy independent, and virtually go off the grid when it comes to electricity and all other energy use.
Shoresh, which arguably creates the most popular sandal worn in Israel, has recently placed photovoltaic solar panels on all available surfaces in their factory and bought solar batteries to provide power for winter in Israel when the sun does not shine as much.
“Every factory, business or household in Israel produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions, most of them through electricity consumption, the use of private and commercial vehicles, and waste management expenses that go to the landfill,” said Yoki Gill, the Founder and owner of Shoresh.“The Shoresh company directly emits 850,000 kg of carbon dioxide each year into the atmosphere and pays 1 million NIS every year for electricity consumption, fuel expenses, and waste treatment .”
Walking on sunshine: Shoresh sandals factory converts to 100% solar energy https://t.co/6axxq7To2A
— EIN Presswire: Solar Energy Newswire (@EINSolarEnergy) November 3, 2022
The company’s new project attempts to show how it is possible with modern technology to build a low-carbon sustainable economy. It is also meant to provide a realistic example for the entire industry and business sector in Israel of how unnecessary pollution can be avoided.
Nevertheless, Shoresh has replaced all gas-fueled company vehicles with electric ones and installed solar-powered charging stations in the factory and offices. The company has also stated its deep commitment to recycling and separating its waste based on government requirements.
Ashalim, one of the tallest structures in Israel and, until recently, the tallest solar power plant in the world.
— Poppy Masselos (@poppymasselos) October 10, 2022
Supplies 121 MW of clean, renewable energy - 120,000 households.https://t.co/sE105c8Xvyhttps://t.co/BYusORo7MX@tnatw pic.twitter.com/jbDzSD0zSG
Waste that cannot be recycled is stored in a pit in the hope that the company will get permission for an onsite waste gasification facility, a chemical process in which trash is heated in a low-oxygen environment to break it down into a gas called syngas. The company’s founder has a dream of using the gas created to power his business in the winter months.
'More and more countries will come onboard' as the #COP27 is underway
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 7, 2022
'There's a lot to hope for, maybe not specifically from this summit... but not far from it,' says Rony Erez, Heschel Center for Sustainability co-director, with @JordanSchachtel and Maya Jacobs pic.twitter.com/5aualqZhVy
The Heschel Center for Sustainability helped Shoresh with its current environmental project. They also received a government grant intended for environment-friendly initiatives.
The Israeli Minister of Energy, Karin Elharrer, said in a recent statement: “In the past year, we have promoted many important steps to diversify Israel’s energy sources and promote the transition to renewable energies. The transition of the Shoresh factory to energy independence, based on the use of renewable energies, is pioneering, brave, and above all proves that it is possible.
