SUSTAINABILITY FEATURE


DEVELOPING SUSTAINABILITY: AN INSIGHT INTO THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY


Paul Bowtell, environment and sustainability manager at Rexel, takes a look at how the electrical industry is evolving to meet consumer and business demand to deliver more eco-friendly electrical solutions, and explores what more could be done


S


ustainable living is a concept everyone is now familiar with. In


fact, in recent years it has become a central focus for many, both at a corporate and consumer level. The UK now uses 90 per cent less plastic bags than just four years ago and electric cars continue to dramatically increase their market penetration year on year. Today, customers are increasingly voting


with their wallets, choosing companies with strong environmental credentials and ethical values. The electrical industry is a key sector


when it comes to sustainability - product innovations such as LED and smart lighting, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, electric vehicle charging (EVC) systems and other innovative technologies, mean Rexel can provide solutions to help its customers improve their environmental performance. But with government statistics showing


that a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions in Britain are generated by businesses, there is room for the electrical industry do more. In recent years there has been a growing


requirement for businesses to demonstrate how they address their sustainability or ‘green’ responsibilities in most tender processes. This is a significant change to a decade ago, when it was barely a consideration by most. Today, corporate social responsibility


activity and green credentials, from energy consumption levels to efficient logistics operations, can account for as much as 30-40 per cent of the overall tender decision. Many larger companies see them as a hygiene factor, or just how business should be done. For example, at Rexel none of the


company’s own waste is sent to landfill – it is either recycled or burnt to generate energy. The company helps its customers by enabling its branches to be collection points for customer waste lamps and fluorescent tubes, and it is reducing its use of single packaging. Rexel recently stopped using plastic


bags in branch and endeavours to re-use carboard boxes instead for those customers needing a container. Rexel also re-uses pallets when practicable, or has them collected for recycling when


they have reached the end of their usable life. All in all, there are many changes already


afoot. A key element often measured by customers today is the carbon footprint of any business it plans to partner with. Therefore, ensuring energy efficiency and reducing the impact of distribution and business travel not only keeps costs down, but also demonstrates to a well-managed business and a green ethos. At Rexel, all energy is purchased via


green contracts and it operates a monitoring and targeting system for sites, enabling tracking of energy consumption and identification of anomalies. To manage distribution vehicles, a software system called Microlise is used. This ensures the most efficient routes are utilised and that drivers are driving efficiently. These internal programmes are all


managed by an integrated management system, certified to ISO9001, quality ISO14001 environment, ISO50001 energy and ISO45001 health and safety. These standards are often a basic requirement for tenders to be considered and the company finds them a useful framework to organise its processes. More commercial customers are also


asking for longer lasting, recyclable components which do not require single use plastic and that have minimal packaging for large scale projects. This mirrors the demand Rexel saw in the consumer market a few years back and is something the company is seeing more and more of in a traditional B2B businesses. Even though the industry is taking some


great strides towards a more sustainable future, organisations have got a lot of room for improvement. For larger businesses this is often part of regular operations, but for SMEs this can present a challenge in terms of cost and resources. However, they too can benefit from cost reductions, by minimising waste production and energy use. For some issues, such as conflict


minerals and modern slavery, a cross industry approach would result in faster progress. As has been seen in the food and garment industries, UK retailers and


/ ELECTRICALENGINEERING


distributors often share suppliers. Therefore, if the UK companies can agree a set of requirements, it makes it easier and cheaper, and therefore more likely that the suppliers will put them in place. Customers also expect their suppliers to


actively support projects that address social problems in the UK, such as youth unemployment, or to help local communities through volunteering and other initiatives. The Public Services (Social Value) Act (2012), requires public bodies to consider choosing service providers based on their social value created in an area and not on cost alone. Many Rexel branches support local charities, sports clubs and other community organisations, and the Rexel Foundation funds community projects that increase access to energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty. Where customers are placing ever


increasing importance on sustainability and corporate responsibility, over the next few years the electrical industry will drastically improve its environmental performance and produce even more energy efficient products. And as with other industries, competitors will have to agree common approaches to a number of sustainability issues, so all parties in supply chains are operating with consideration of the environment.


Rexel rexel.co.uk ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING | OCTOBER 2019 9

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