FEATURE
Calculations involved contacting each supplier and contractor and asking them for their carbon footprint for that site only, in relation to vehicle deliveries, mileage, and product life cycle analysis, as well as details on outer packaging materials, contents, contained materials and the recyclability of each element.
The analysis also covered employee commuting: each employee was asked how they travelled to work and their daily/ monthly mileage, with emissions calculated based on the mode of transport used. The impact of any business travel, including overnight stays, was analysed. Finally, records were kept of all waste generated, and the methods of recycling employed, as well as the final destination and quantity going to landfill.
This detailed research revealed that a total of 13.30 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) were being generated from Samsic’s on-site activities at Chiswick Park, providing a base against which to measure improvement.
For areas where emissions are high, a carbon reduction strategy has been put in place, based on specific actions which shape the programme for the next year. Figures are then analysed immediately to track and identify any patterns.
The success of this model is now seeing it replicated elsewhere on other Samsic customer and serviced sites.
A key factor in the success of Samsic’s ESG work in sustainability has been - and continues to be - the decision to undertake these processes internally rather than using as an external consultant.
Andrew said: “We wanted to upskill our operational team by working collaboratively, sharing data freely and confidentially to calculate our carbon footprint internally. This included training sessions, webinars and workshops on carbon footprint analysis and identifying methods and innovations locally to reduce carbon footprint. In reality it’s their footprint and they need to influence change themselves, as opposed to just using a consultant who would give them a rating but with little feeling of active involvement.
Work continues apace across the Samsic business on targeted activities to reduce carbon footprint, both internally and with partners, based on detailed data analysis covering everything from product life cycles to the recycling of packaging.
The company is looking at providing electric vehicles for contract members, as well as using electric security vans which can be charged overnight at the depot meaning they have sufficient range for next day’s rounds.
66 | TOMORROW’S FM
Best practice in product usage is another key area of education and development. “Most products have an optimum dilution rate anyway, and it's important we make sure that is achieved to ensure best performance and minimum usage without compromising cleaning performance. What we have also managed to do is reduce the sheer range of products we use to around a dozen,” said Andrew.
One example of product rationalisation is Toucan, which uses a novel application of an electric current to a solution of salt which in many cleaning applications negates the need for a chemical-based product. Samsic is also focusing on the use of low-risk chemicals wherever possible.
Andrew said: “There are still a handful of applications where a higher-risk chemical is needed, such as chewing gum removal, but wherever we can, we are using the lowest risk option available.”
UK activities, successes and statistics are shared across Samsic’s international portal where clients can see them, as can Samsic colleagues in other countries too. “This allows teams to share best practice and learn from each other while setting performance benchmarks for following years,” said Andrew.
“We want sustainability to be second nature to people rather than actively having to think about it and buy into it. We have ESG focus groups throughout the business who drive the process and ensure it is ingrained in all of our operations. Many good ideas have sprung from this, such as Plastic Busters, where we handle plastics recycling for our clients.”
In the UK, the commitment to ESG is set to be further demonstrated by the appointment of a dedicated sustainability adviser and a new member of the procurement team with specific responsibility for sustainability.
Andrew said: “We have always sought to buy based on quality and value rather than cost, but that individual will now be tasked with sourcing products that are the most eco-friendly possible, rather than the cheapest on the market.
“Throughout the business there is real passion in this area, and we are empowering people to make the decisions and deliver the actions which support ESG goals - not just within Samsic but for clients and suppliers too - and deliver a better world for all and a more sustainable legacy for those who follow.”
www.samsic.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
