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As part of our commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact, we embarked on an exciting journey of measuring and managing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using Greenly. We started this journey last year, firstly measuring the 2022-2023 financial year, and we have just completed our second year of reporting for the 2023-2024 financial year.
This process has provided us with valuable insights, helped us set meaningful reduction targets, and empowered us to make informed decisions about how we operate.
In our first year of reporting, we set out to measure our emissions comprehensively, understanding that this was the crucial foundation for making any improvements. To create a clear and accurate picture of our carbon footprint, we used several data sources, including accounting files, employee surveys, as well as activity-based data for areas such as building utilities, product purchases, and the use and end-of-life of products we sell.
A key component of our first year was conducting a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of many of our products. This assessment gave us a deep dive into the environmental impact generated throughout the entire life cycle of our products—from raw material extraction to production, distribution, use, and eventual disposal. For our first LCA, we focused on chemicals, paper products (hand towels and toilet rolls), and waste sacks, which provided us with a solid understanding of the emissions associated with these materials and products.
While the first year provided us with a solid and comprehensive GHG report, we recognised that by expanding the scope of our data collection, we could further refine our understanding and reduce our environmental impact.
With a clearer understanding of our emissions from the first year, we set out to enhance our data collection and reporting for the 2023-2024 financial year. Building on our initial success, we looked to improve and widen the scope of the data provided. We introduced more detailed activity-based data, including end-to-end freight data and a complete inventory of our IT assets. These additions helped further enhance the accuracy of our GHG footprint.
Moreover, we extended our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to include additional product categories. In the 2023-2024 year, we broadened the scope of the LCA to also cover mops and cloths. This allowed for a more complete picture of our emissions and provided more granular data to Greenly.
By gathering more detailed data, we were able to refine our emissions calculations, leading to even more accurate insights into our carbon footprint.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our GHG emissions journey was seeing the tangible results of our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. Comparing the data from our first year (2022-2023) to our second year (2023-2024), we achieved a 37% reduction in total emissions, from 516 tCO2e to 353 tCO2e. This reduction was the direct result of several key actions we implemented throughout the year, particularly in the areas of product purchasing and sourcing.
A large portion of our emissions reduction came from the product purchases category. This category saw a significant drop due to our ongoing shift to more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. For example:
These product substitutions not only cut emissions but also helped promote more responsible purchasing habits among customers, aligning with our broader sustainability goals.
While we are proud of the progress made, our journey is far from over. We are committed to continuous improvement in measuring, reducing, and offsetting our emissions. Our ultimate goal is to create a net-zero supply chain for our customers, minimising emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining impact.
The success of our first two years of GHG reporting with Greenly is a testament to the power of data and the importance of setting clear, actionable sustainability goals. With Greenly’s support, we have gained the tools and insights necessary to take meaningful steps toward a greener, more sustainable future. We look forward to seeing even greater reductions in our emissions in the years to come and continuing to inspire positive change within our industry.
On every delivery over £50*
With every sustainable order
By offsetting on sustainable orders
