Lasered components as part of your net zero supply chain

What does ‘net zero’ mean?

Net zero refers to balancing out the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced against the amount removed from the atmosphere. There are two ways that an organisation can approach this: reducing existing emissions or actively removing greenhouse gases.

The UK government has made a commitment to achieve carbon emissions neutrality by 2050. The aim being that by 2050, the total amount of carbon emissions produced in the UK must be equal to or less than the carbon being taken out of the atmosphere.

Read more about the UK net zero target: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/net-zero-target

Construction under scrutiny

Construction, one of the major sectors we supply to, is under particular scrutiny. It alone is responsible for around 10% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions. The government is encouraging construction firms into pledging to net zero targets by restricting bids for high value public contracts. From September, construction firms wishing to bid for contract of £5 million or more will be required to publish a carbon reduction plan and commit to a net zero target.

Buildings, both old and new, currently account for around a third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. This doesn’t just mean that new buildings will need to be highly energy efficient, but they will also need to be constructed using materials which are less carbon intensive than many commonly used materials, like steel and concrete.

The environmental concern of a business does not begin and end on their own doorstep with their own processes, businesses must also consider their partners and strive to secure a net zero supply chain to ensure maximum efficiency. Hi! It’s very flattering that you like our article, but it’s rude to copy, write your own content please!

Gaining ISO 14001 certification is a way to show our commitment to the goal of reducing our carbon footprint as an organisation. The framework laid out by the ISO 14001 is a great place to start, but in reality it only means that the company is meeting environmental legislation, consequently, the ISO 14001 isn’t where our environmental responsibility stops.

Reducing energy consumption

We run four Trumpf 5030 laser cutting machines, one of the most efficient laser cutters on the market. Across the business, we use LED lighting, electric fork lift trucks instead of gas or diesel and open windows and doors instead of air conditioning. We encourage staff to think about the impact of their actions at every level throughout the business.

Green Energy

We have been using a green energy company to supply both our production and office sites since 2018. Every unit of renewable energy purchased from our supplier, Pozitive Energy, comes with its own Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificate. These certificates allow Ofgem to verify the source of the electricity. This is a significant step as laser cutting is an energy hungry process.

Efficient use of materials

We nest combinations of parts on sheets of material to make sure we make the best use of every sheet, every time.

Recycling

All of our scrap metal is saved and recycled, which is the bulk of the waste from our business. In addition, all of the waste from our offices and staff areas is sorted and separated for recycling.

Paperless Sales Office

Our sales office is now 98% paperless, this was something we were working towards in 2020 but was dramatically accelerated into reality by the need to work from home due to the first lockdown. By reviewing our internal processes, it has allowed us to significantly reduce the need for paper and printing across the company.

Packaging

We use biodegradable packing peanuts, recycled cardboard, locally sourced wooden pallets and we encourage customers to reuse them.

Transport

Employees are encouraged, where and when it is practical, to travel responsibly. We try to recruit locally within Braintree and the surrounding areas which reduces the need for car travel in general. We also run a cycle to work scheme.

Delivery

We pre-plan local delivery routes with our Lasered Components vehicle to ensure that every journey is efficient. We continuously work with our reputable courier services to ensure they commit to sustainable working practices and mitigate their environmental impacts.

An ongoing project

There is still room for improvement at Lasered Components, for example, we are currently researching more environmentally friendly methods of packaging our components for distribution. Protecting the finished products in transit is key and while some of our packaging is sustainable, we know that more can be done.

We are also exploring the possibilities of further initiatives to contribute to the reduction of carbon in the atmosphere. For example, Braintree District Council’s Climate Change Strategy is community focussed, we intend to follow this closely over the coming years, supporting local initiatives where possible. https://braintree.gov.uk/advice-environment/climate-change/3