DeBesteEHBOdoos: Social and sustainable entrepreneurship

DeBesteEHBOdoos sets the standard for impact entrepreneurship. Founder Bob Kolsteeg speaks passionately about his company, a sustainable supplier of emergency response equipment. While they sell and maintain first aid kits and AEDs nationwide, their mission goes far deeper. They are building a better future for people and the planet through social and sustainable business practices.

Why focus on people and the environment?

Why make social and sustainable impact a core business goal? For Bob, the answer is personal. Back in 2010, he decided he needed to make a real difference, not just because he could, but because he felt he had to. This personal vision has successfully become the company’s driving force and identity.

Focus on people

From day one, the company has provided opportunities for people with a distance to the labour market. The approach is simple: fit the work to the person, not the other way around. “If you don't make it a problem, there is no problem,” Bob explains. In 2017, DeBesteEHBOdoos received the PSO30+ certification, which requires at least 30% of staff to have a labour disability. At DeBesteEHBOdoos, that figure is an impressive 80%.

Focus on the environment

Sustainability and circularity are equally central. This is evident in their daily operations: they use refurbished phones, second-hand office furniture, and warehouse shelving built from reclaimed materials. Their product range reflects this too, utilizing bio-based packaging and first aid cases made from recycled plastic. In 2022, they introduced a first aid kit made of 97% cardboard, winning the ‘Het Oranje Kruis’ inspiration award.

Sustainable shipping boxes

Shipping is another key area for environmental savings. Having seen the massive water consumption involved in manufacturing new cardboard, Bob opted for a better alternative. The company uses pre-owned boxes from Van de Velde Packaging - RENUBOX.
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Bob shares his experience: “We enjoy working with RENUBOX. They deliver on their promises and respond quickly. The quality matches that of new boxes.” Interestingly, Bob chooses not to include a note explaining why the box is second-hand, as printing that note would simply create unnecessary waste.

Reuse beats recycling

DeBesteEHBOdoos practices what it preaches by sorting returned medical supplies. Wherever possible, items are reused or donated to charities globally, saving thousands of kilos of material annually. Even expired products find a new life in training sessions, preventing waste and reducing the need for new production.

Identity and market impact

Speaking with Bob, it’s clear that sustainability isn’t just a marketing story; it is the company’s DNA. “It should be normal to consider both people and the environment,” Bob asserts. While there wasn’t a specific market demand for this approach initially, customers now actively choose DeBesteEHBOdoos because of it. They believe in the vision and want to contribute to a company making a genuine impact.

Bob’s advice

Bob encourages other businesses to look critically at procurement. Where do your products come from? Try to buy sustainable and local. Start small—like switching your coffee supplier—and you already begin to make a difference.
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Want to learn more? Visit deBesteEHBOdoos.nl.

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"Very satisfied with the batch of boxes and the fast delivery. I’m especially pleased there’s a company offering high-quality used boxes. It doesn't always have to be new and expensive. I will definitely keep ordering here." — De Snuffelaar BV