SUSTAINABILITY
HOW MERCHANTS CAN CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY
Effi-Svende Ball, Customer Value Chain Director at Okarno, formerly Artex, looks at how the business is minimising its own environmental footprint and that of its customers.
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n an era where sustainability is an essential part of all businesses, eco-friendly products and services are
much in demand. However, the pursuit of sustainability goes beyond simply focusing on the eco credentials of individual products, important that they are.
We like to think that we have embraced sustainability in every possible way, even down to our rebrand. Formerly known as Artex, our rebrand was part of this story because it marked a significant milestone in our journey to a sustainable supply chain leader. Behind this rebrand there have been a number of commitments that demonstrate our approach to sustainability:
Biofuel-powered deliveries One of our most impactful sustainability initiatives that we have undertaken has been the transition of our distribution core fleet to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a biofuel derived from vegetable oil, animal oil or fat. This strategic move has achieved a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional diesel, while significantly improving air quality for colleagues, customers, and local communities.
Biomass heating system Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the transportation fleet. In 2022, we installed a state-of-the-art biomass heating system that utilises wood pellets for power, providing eco benefits to our warehouses, offices and hot water supply. The renewable heating solution has enabled us to decommission our diesel and gas boilers, resulting in a reduction of 150 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
Enhancing packaging Recognising the environmental impact of packaging, we are on a collaborative journey with our bag, film and tub manufacturers to reduce packaging wherever possible and transition to more eco-friendly solutions. This
partnerships with local organisations to enhance biodiversity. We also streamline our carbon measurements and activities in this group and hold ourselves accountable on our Sustainability Roadmap actions.
includes a focus on increasing the use of recyclable materials like paper and cardboard, as well as incorporating at least 30% recycled plastic across primary, secondary and transport packaging.
We’ve added recycling and safe disposal information on plastic packaging labels to ensure packaging is dealt with in responsible manner. The introduction of our “eco stamp” further highlights a commitment to using recycled content, enabling merchants and their customers to make informed, sustainable choices.
Fostering biodiversity We like to think that our sustainability efforts extend beyond just an operational footprint, too, as we have dedicated 3.2 acres of our distribution site in Ruddington, near Nottingham, to biodiversity initiatives. This natural habitat serves as a sanctuary for local wildlife, with the planting of over 4,100 bulbs, 190 shrubs, and 445 trees to date. It’s certainly proving popular with colleagues, who can access this area for outdoor meetings, walks, and lunchtime respite.
Empowering colleagues Our sustainability journey is driven by the passion and commitment of our employees, who have formed a Sustainability Action Group. This internal initiative empowers colleagues to take an active role in driving sustainable change, from organising Sustainability Action Days where they can volunteer on community projects to building
June 2024 A supplement to builders merchants journal
Moving forward together We recognise that each merchant’s sustainability journey is unique, which is why we try to provide personalised support and guidance to help them navigate the complexities of sustainable construction practices. From advising on the selection of the right eco-friendly products to sharing best practices for waste management and recycling, we feel that the best results are achieved by moving forward together. As part of the Saint-Gobain group, we are committed to the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This commitment serves as a guiding principle for our sustainability initiatives, driving us to continually look for new ways to reduce our environmental impact and inspire merchants to do the same.
Sustainability has become a key measure for businesses across all industries. Merchants, in particular, have a significant role to play in promoting this. There is much good work being done, both on the merchant and supply side. It is up to all of us to keep this initiative moving forward. Increasingly, the sustainability of products is now a given. The focus is shifting to engraining sustainability in all aspects of the business. We are on that journey, but there is still much to do. We are optimistic though and it is encouraging to see the merchant sector responding in kind. Ultimately, sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes, as well as effective waste management strategies, can significantly reduce a merchant’s environmental impact. It can also mitigate risks associated with environmental regulations and compliance at a time when regulators are tightening standards on sustainable practices and imposing penalties on businesses that fail to comply. n
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