5 Ways to be an Eco-Friendly Workplace

Why do we want to help the environment? In recent years thanks to the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, we have become more aware of making eco-friendly choices. Each year more studies shows us the impact we have on the world. The scientific evidence clearly shows that climate change is occurring. The average temperature at the Earth’s surface has increased by around 1°C since the pre-industrial period. During the twenty-first century we have seen seventeen of the eighteen hottest years on record. Staggeringly, each of the past three decades has been hotter than the preceding one (Nasa, 2022). Action needs to be taken. The UK government have pledged to reach net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. However, to reach this target, everyone needs to support the cause. What are we doing for the environment? At Rapid Fire Supplies we are doing our bit for the environment. Because, not only do we believe in looking after people with our safety products, but we also believe in looking after our planet. As a result, we are reducing our carbon footprint every day. We choose options that minimise our negative impact on the planet and encourage our customers to make eco-friendly product choices. Below is a closer look at how we are doing this. - ) Save the planet from home! Remote working We work from home! Eliminating the commute to and from work radically reduces our carbon footprint. The transport sector produces more greenhouse gas emissions than any other, therefore eliminating this step can make a huge difference. Remote working has also had a positive impact on our whole team as it is possible for us to work from different corners across the UK. Working from home also means we generally cause less waste. Coffee, lunches and soft drinks can be prepared at home limiting the use of plastic bottles, single use cups and plastic wrapped meal deals. For those who cannot work from home we would recommend signing up to the UK governments bike to work scheme or travelling on public transport where possible. -2) Think inside the ‘eco-friendly’ box: Kite packaging We use Kite Packaging. They are an environmentally conscious eco-packaging company. Kite Packaging share our values and are committed to minimising their overall impact on the environment. They also only work with suppliers who recognise their environmental responsibilities – like us! They are the only eco-packaging company to run a compliance scheme KES (Kite Environmental Solutions) for the UK’s packaging regulations. These regulations were put in place to reduce the amount of packaging going to landfill. KES take care of the ins and outs and keep businesses on track with their “green packaging tax”. In 2021 KES received an “Exceeding Expectations” rating from the Environment Agency Audit. Kite Packaging adopt a replace and re-use strategy. Replacing plastic packaging and products for eco-friendly recycled and recyclable products. Using eco-packaging allows our company to minimise the amount of packaging waste we produce. As well as helping us to ensure that your products are packaged and delivered safely to your door. -3) Guilt free eco-delivery: DPD We use DPD as our main delivery service. They deliver our high-quality products to customers in their ever-growing fantastic fleet of electric vehicles. Although not every van is electric just yet, DPD are committed to making big changes with their “clean, green delivery” campaign. We are looking forward to the day they achieve net zero. On their journey to reach this goal DPD has recently built a new hub that is powered by huge solar panels. This allows them to responsibly discard waste with 100% of it avoiding landfill thanks to adopting the ‘reuse, reduce, recycle’ moto. DPD also promote their own eco-packaging and if you order 10 items using their app the company will plant a tree on your behalf. This in turn offsets your carbon footprint. By opting to use this company we make an eco-friendly choice for each and every package delivered. -4) Safe for you, safe for the planet: Eco-products There is a growing range of eco-friendly products available for customers who are conscious of their environmental impact. These are sourced from a variety of leading industry suppliers, have been tested to the highest standards for their uses and can be purchased from us today. The current range includes medical grade biodegradable gloves, EcoVis workwear (EcoVis is our eco-friendly hi-vis workwear range from LEO) and eco safety shoes. Eco-friendly products are continuing to be added to our website. Hopefully one day soon we will be able to cover all your safety needs in a fully eco-conscious way. -5) Sustainability on screen: We Are Albert In 2021 we joined the We Are Albert supplier list. We Are Albert are the home of environmental sustainability in the TV and film industry. As a supplier we have been accepted as a sustainable choice for the production industry to provide them with PPE, hygiene products and safety gear for actors, crew and staff. This means that we are up on the list for producers and filmmakers across the UK to use if they require our services. Being a part of We Are Albert was a big step in establishing ourselves as a company that cares about our environmental impact. Standing alongside other trailblazing companies who are hitting their eco-targets makes us proud. An Eco-friendly Future At Rapid Fire Supplies, we continue to self-evaluate, evolve and adapt to new technologies that can help us to minimise our carbon footprint. The above examples hopefully provide some inspiration to make your workplace more environmentally friendly too When you shop with us, you are making an environmentally conscious choice, for today and for the future.

For more information on 5 Ways to be an Eco-Friendly Workplace talk to Rapid Fire Supplies