Environmental Policy

Mission Statement

Progressive Broadcast Hire Ltd recognises that it has a responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. We are absolutely committed to reducing our environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance as an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, with regular review points. We will encourage customers and suppliers to do the same.

Net Zero Strategy

We have committed to the UK Business SME Climate Hub’s Net Zero campaign.

We are currently developing our transition to Net Zero by 2040 at the absolute latest and Progressive Broadcast are hugely proud to be an accredited Albert Supplier.

Responsibility

Clare Cooney is responsible for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented. However, all employees have a responsibility in their area to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

Carbon Offset

In 2021 and 2022 our direct CO2 emissions from gas, electricity and diesel were calculated to be roughly 20 tonnes.

We purchased tree planting offsets for 30 tonnes for 2022 and have renewed this commitment for 2023.

Further to this, using a 24x weight ratio for manufacturing emissions, our asset purchases for the financial year 2021/22 were estimated to be 13 tonnes. We have therefore purchased an additional 15 tonnes of carbon offset for this.

We have committed to an ongoing relationship with Make it Wild, who plant trees for us.

In 2022 we organised 42 tonnes of carbon offset in total.

For 2023 we have committed to replicate the 42 tonnes of offset for general operations and will be updating to allow for asset purchases when the financial year ends.

(Make it Wild – Carbon Offsetting Certificate) 2021 direct emissions offset.

(Make it Wild – Carbon Offsetting Certificate) 2021 – 2022 financial year asset purchase, manufacturing emissions offset.

(Make it Wild – Carbon Offsetting Subscription Certificate) 2022 Emissions

(Make it Wild – Carbon Offsetting Subscription Certificate) 2023 Anticipated Emissions

(Make it Wild Carbon Offsetting Fact Sheet)

 

It is our intention to account for as much of our impact as we can, in so far as is possible for a small business.

We have worked hard to reduce our direct emissions by much more conservative use of gas at our warehouse and have reduced our CO2 from gas by 27.5%.

This has been at the expense of using more electricity though. Although this is a much cleaner source of power, our utility provider’s energy mix has changed and this has meant that our overall footprint has not moved very much – a factor that is sadly outwith our control.

While previously we were on a 100% renewable tariff, market uncertainties put our provider into administration and we were unable to secure a fully renewable tariff.

We are intending to move back to a 100% renewable tariff as soon as market uncertainties and out current contract term permit.

Policy Aims

We endeavour to:

Make our zero emissions Nissan Leaf Van the first choice for deliveries and phase out all internal combustion vehicles as vehicles reach the end of their life.

Use closed loop systems for office consumables. We are conscious of the impact of deliveries and packaging and so we have moved the supply of office consumables to a company who provide a closed loop system that eliminates single use plastics and provides a carbon neutral delivery. 

Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.

Continually improve and monitor environmental performance.

Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.

Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.

Increase employee awareness and training.

Use suppliers who share our ethics

  • Recycling is done for us by LAMH Recycle who are a local social enterprise providing employment within a supportive environment.
  • Our water filter – which has eliminated our need for plastic water bottles – is provided by AquAid who are committed to sharing their profits with Christian Aid and their own charity, The Africa Trust.
  • Our cleaning and catering supplies come from The Good Club who are a closed loop delivery system committed to removing every bit of unnecessary single use plastic that they possibly can.
  • Much of the refurbishment of our building has been done by David Marshall of Creative Carpentry Solutions, who is committed to environmentally sustainable work and who we met through his ongoing relationship with our wonderful friends and neighbours, The GalGael Trust.
  • Hubbed deliveries now almost entirely done through UPS as carbon neutral deliveries.
Paper

We minimise the use of paper in the office. This is achieved in the greatest by transmission and receipt wherever possible, of documents by email. This includes both purchase and sales invoices and sales statements. It is also company policy to purchase paper goods that are either recycled and recyclable or that meet forestry commission approved standards.

We reuse and recycle all paper where possible.

We reduce packaging as much as possible and packaging materials are routinely reused until this is no longer practical at which point they are then recycled.

 

Energy and Water

We seek to reduce the amount of energy used as much as possible.

Unfortunately, the 100% renewable energy provider we used went into liquidation in 2021. We are currently in transition to a green tariff elsewhere but cannot do this until our account has settled into place with the emergency provider.

Lights and electrical equipment are switched off when not in use.

Heating is controlled via a smart system called Hive and is adjusted with energy consumption in mind and heating is provided by an energy efficient, on demand and therefore waste free system.

The energy consumption and efficiency of new products is taken into account when purchasing.

We have recently replaced the roof of our building with highly insulated Kingspan panels.

For the future, we are currently trying to find appropriate micro-renewable options that are suitable for our building.

Office Supplies

We evaluate if the need can be met in another way.

We evaluate if renting/sharing is an option before purchasing equipment.

We evaluate the environmental impact of any new products we intend to purchase.

We favour more environmentally friendly and efficient products wherever possible.

We reuse and recycle everything we are able to.

We have an ongoing contract for waste management with a local recycling firm. They collect all recyclable material, with the exception of batteries. Batteries are collected separately and recycled via a specialist agent.

Electrical items which require to be disposed of are done so in accordance with WEEE legislation, via an account with the local authority waste agency.

We have phased out the use of single use plastics in the office.

Transportation

We reduce the need to travel, restricting to necessity trips only.

We promote the use of travel alternatives such as e-mail or video/phone conferencing.

We will make additional efforts to accommodate the needs of those using bicycles by allowing indoor storage of bicycles and providing access to the cycle to work scheme for all employees.

We have shifted part of our vehicle fleet to a Nissan Leaf electric van which is used as the first option for all local deliveries.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Cleaning materials used are environmentally friendly and BUAV approved wherever possible.

Materials used in office refurbishment will be as environmentally friendly as possible.

We will only use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of waste.

Monitoring and Improvement

We will comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.

We will continually improve and monitor environmental performance.

We will continually improve and reduce environmental impacts.

We will incorporate environmental factors into business decisions.

We will increase employee awareness through training.

We will review this policy and any related business issues at our monthly management meetings.

Culture

We will involve staff in the implementation of this policy, for greater commitment and improved performance.

We will update this policy at least once annually in consultation with staff and other stakeholders where necessary.

We will provide staff with relevant environmental training.

We will work with suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors to improve their environmental performance.

We will use local labour and materials where available to reduce CO2 and help the community.

 

Last reviewed 08/02/2023

Next Review due by 30/04/2023 to include asset purchases for financial year 2022 /23.

 

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