Cutting our carbon footprint
March 2019
If you use the internet, switch on the TV or tune into the radio you will be aware of the impact we’re having on our environment.
One of the most talked about topics, aside from global warming, is carbon footprint: the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of our ‘daily activities’. This is an especially hot topic for responsible manufacturers.
Product packaging is a big contributor to the amount of carbon we emit.
Packaging can be costly, both for budgets and the environment. Depending on the material used, it can deplete natural resources and emit carbon into the Earth’s atmosphere through production, delivery and even after-sales (with recycling taken into account).
In two recent major projects with Wandsworth Borough Council and London Borough of Brent we trialled an initiative – all products, used to relight the boroughs, were delivered without cardboard boxes.
By going cardboard free, the weight of each delivery was reduced, creating lighter loads for the delivery lorries and therefore less emissions: adding further savings and value to our clients. The combined projects delivered a total 42.5 tonne reduction in carbon and over £70,000 in cost savings.
Rob Maisey, Director of Operations at DW Windsor:
This is a great achievement and win for all; we removed our packaging costs which we were able to pass on to the customer and foremost, we reduced our carbon emissions on each project, limiting our negative impact on the environment. We are definitely keen to push this forward and suggest to other suitable contracts in the future.
Robbie Heuston, Project Manager at Wandsworth Council comments:
We at Wandsworth Borough Council were delighted with DW Windsor's initiative to deliver all products without cardboard packaging - showing their environmental awareness as a supplier and supporting us in our efforts to significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment at London Borough of Brent adds:
We're always looking for new ways to create a cleaner, greener Brent, and suppliers play an important role in helping us. Scrapping cardboard boxes for lantern deliveries was another positive step towards reducing our carbon footprint.
Read more about these projects here >