Is your business on target to reach net zero by 2050?
Helping you navigate and fund net zero
As the government focuses on reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases by 2050, there's been increasing talk about net zero, especially among smaller businesses.
Research shows that smaller businesses are a significant source of emissions in the UK, responsible for 50% of all business-driven emissions. While 57% of smaller businesses know the government's 2050 net zero target, 76% have yet to implement a strategy to reduce their emissions.
All businesses, regardless of size, have the opportunity to make a significant impact on sustainability and lower carbon emissions. By taking proactive steps, they can contribute to a reduction of carbon emissions.
Operations
Enhancing premises with proper insulation, actively encouraging employees to embrace alternative transportation, fostering a culture of engagement, cutting down on waste, and minimising energy consumption are all vital steps toward a more sustainable and efficient workplace.
Products and services
Embracing sustainable practices by selecting products crafted from eco-friendly materials, adopting effective waste management strategies, and collaborating with trusted suppliers who prioritise sustainability.
Distribution
Choosing packaging created from recycled materials, adopting electric vehicles for transportation, and streamlining deliveries to reduce their frequency can significantly lower the environmental impact and promote a more sustainable future.
Embracing Net Zero
By committing to net zero, businesses stand to gain significantly from enhancing their reputation and reducing operational costs, safeguarding themselves against the volatility of energy supply fluctuations. Embracing this sustainable approach supports the environment and strengthens market position.
Footprint Recycling is here to assist you if you need help beginning your sustainability journey. We specialise in establishing a net zero baseline and crafting effective reduction strategies. Creating a robust net zero strategy requires thoroughly evaluating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Firstly, we need to assess your emissions:
Scope 1 Emissions
These are "direct emissions" that an organisation directly owns or controls. Examples include emissions from gas boilers, fuel generators, and company-owned vehicles that are not electrically powered.
Scope 2 Emissions
These emissions are classified as "indirect emissions" and arise from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling.
Scope 3 Emissions
This category includes all "other indirect emissions" not accounted for in Scope 2. These emissions are generated throughout the value or supply chain, encompassing upstream (customer-related) and downstream (supplier-related) emissions.
After we assess your current emissions, we will create a plan to reach net zero emissions within an agreed-upon time frame. We will also assist in sourcing any relevant grant schemes available to support businesses financially in achieving net zero. We will compare your emissions each year to show your progress in reducing them.
Benefits to your business
Reduced costs
Transform your business by significantly lowering utility bills through renewable energy sources. Investing in solar panels or transitioning to a green energy plan cuts costs and enhances your brand's commitment to sustainability. By carefully analysing energy usage, you can uncover additional savings opportunities. Moreover, switching to electric vehicles is a smart choice for businesses operating in low-emission zones of major cities, yielding both financial and environmental benefits. Adopting waste reduction practices, recycling efficiently, and striving for zero waste in landfills will minimise expenses and position your business as a leader in responsible practices. Embrace these changes for a more sustainable and cost-effective future!
Business Reputation
Embracing carbon-neutral practices can significantly elevate your business's reputation. According to research by the Carbon Trust customers increasingly seek companies that prioritise ethical decision-making. By engaging in carbon offsetting, sourcing materials locally, reducing transportation emissions, and minimising landfill waste, small businesses can contribute to a healthier planet and attract a loyal customer base that values sustainability.
Attracting investment
Investors and shareholders looking for companies with a sustainable long-term strategy may find a net zero business attractive.
Security and resilience
Pursuing net zero is not just an environmental goal; it's a smart strategy for strengthening your business against market fluctuations and national disruptions. For instance, adopting electric vehicles can help companies to avoid rising fuel costs. Likewise, switching to alternative energy sources like solar or wind can protect you from unpredictable spikes in energy costs, ensuring your business remains stable and competitive.
Competitive edge
Recognising and reducing your carbon footprint can set your business apart. As customer preferences shift, many consumers now prioritise business sustainability, scrutinising everything from product packaging to reduction in carbon emissions. Embracing eco-friendly practices attracts these conscientious shoppers and elevates your brand's reputation.
If you want to chat or need help achieving your net zero goals, get in touch.
RESOURCES
Funding and grants for carbon net zero
Finding funding for carbon net zero projects can be challenging. However, there are various pots of funding and support available throughout the country. Many local councils offer some kind of net zero grant programmes, so it's worth checking in your local area. It's also worth checking Crown Commercial Gov - grants and funding opportunities from across the government.
Funding opportunities can also be found through government funding programmes.
Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener
This strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050.
Parliament Research Briefing
The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. This briefing provides an overview of the background context for net zero, the plans in place to reach this goal, and current progress.
Deloitee - The Sustainable Consumer 2023
Adoption of more sustainable lifestyles continues to grow, but sustainable choices need to be made more affordable and widely accessible for consumers to contribute to the net zero transition.
Footprint Recycling completes the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10KSB Programme
Footprint Recycling is delighted to announce its completion of the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK Programme.
The programme, in conjunction with Oxford Said and Aston Business Schools and a team of cohort facilitators, including growth experts, is designed to empower business entrepreneurs with practical skills, tools, and resources to grow and create jobs within their communities.
Footprint enrolled in the programme last summer and, along with 71 other business owners, was selected to join the February 2024 cohort.
Run over 14 weeks, the programme offers an in-depth curriculum of tutoring and mentorship covering:
Business Education
- Financial management, marketing, and operations.
- Practical, hands-on learning experiences and networking opportunities.
Support Services:
- Tailored business advising and coaching from experienced professionals.
- Access to a network of support services, including legal, financial, and marketing advice.
- Ongoing alumni services for continued growth.
Access to Capital:
- Guidance on navigating the financing landscape and connecting with lenders and investors.
- Education on presenting businesses to financial institutions.
Clare Verity, COO and Co-founder, commented, “We were thrilled to be selected for the programme. We have ambitious growth plans for the future, so the opportunity came at the right time.
We had heard great things about how it helped businesses (up to £10m) successfully scale the next growth phase. The course is highly intensive and requires a lot of focused attention, so Robyn Brook, Co-founder and CEO, took a step back from the day-to-day business to participate.
There are always opportunities to learn from, no matter how long or established we are as a business. It would be naive of us not to constantly strive to develop and build on our existing skill set as business owners. Ultimately, participating in the Goldman Sachs 10KSB Programme is not only beneficial for us but also for our customers and the ongoing value we create for them. “
Hear what Robyn Brook, CEO and Co-founder has to say about the 10KSB Program, its insights, and how it has helped to shape the business.
We are officially carbon neutral!
We're thrilled to announce that we have officially become carbon neutral
Over the past few months, we have collaborated on a comprehensive plan to measure, reduce, and offset our collective carbon footprint.
At Footprint Recycling, our commitment to the environment has always been at the forefront of our actions as individuals and as a business. Whilst we have always worked towards keeping our emissions low, with our new carbon-neutral status (scope 1 & 2), we are now actively supporting carbon-reducing projects and have conducted a thorough analysis of our emissions.
By calculating our carbon output, we have reduced our emissions by implementing various measures in our business. These include switching to electric cars, reducing and recycling, and evaluating our energy consumption and efficiency.
We have successfully offset our emissions by supporting a certified project in Malawi, which is verified by the world's leading carbon offset standards, VCS and Gold Standard. This ensures projects have minimal permanence risks and incur positive social, economic and environmental impacts where relevant. This project also aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of:
- No poverty
- Decent work and economic growth
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action.
Our chosen project, cleaner cookstoves, replaces traditional cooking equipment, which typically consists of open flame fed by wood has many benefits by providing more efficient cooking equipment. Cleaner cookstoves typically:
- Reduce the energy consumption for cooking, reducing carbon emissions
- Reduce the consumption of firewood/cooking fuel
- Saves time due to less time spent collecting fuel, more efficient and quicker cooking process
- Reduces deforestation
- Has the potential to save families valuable household income
- Provides improved indoor health - less exposure to smoke and improved indoor air quality.
Our vision is to achieve net-zero emissions and go beyond carbon neutrality. This ambitious goal will require us to make significant and lasting changes to our procurement and supply chain, and we are excited about the journey ahead.
If you need support or advice about carbon neutrality and reducing carbon emissions. Get in touch.
Job opportunity - Commercial Sales Manager
We're a waste management and recycling business is dedicated to providing top-notch services that prioritise sustainability, carbon reduction, and recycling. We understand the importance of reducing waste and protecting the environment, so we work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the best possible solutions. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional care and quality, and we take pride in being a reliable partner for businesses looking to make a positive impact on the planet. Together, we can create a cleaner, healthier future for all. If you're interested in joining our team, read on.
COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER ROLE
We’re excited to announce a newly created Commercial Sales Manager job role. Working for Footprint Recycling, a national waste management and environmental consultancy business, you will be responsible for seeking out and developing new business and building relationships.
We require an experienced manager to take charge of sales performance and growth, focussing on new business and profitability through securing new key accounts by building a sales pipeline and growing and developing the sales team in the waste management brokerage industry.
As the Commercial Sales Manager, you will report directly to the Board of Directors, detailing sales performance, collaborating on sales forecasting and playing a pivotal role in achieving strategic goals.
You will be the driving force behind achieving financial targets and leading a team to success.
Experience:
- Proven track record in new business development, identifying strategy, building your pipeline and delivering new business opportunities
- Experience in building, recruiting and managing a sales team
- Provide strong leadership and management skills supporting, mentoring and motivating the sales team to deliver against their set targets
- Demonstrate strong sales techniques, including selling, presentation, closing ability, customer relationship building and contract negotiation skills
- Have experience developing new sales and marketing campaigns using various media
- Building key relationships with both customers and suppliers at all levels
- Working closely with operations to ensure quality of service and account retention
- Have waste management and, ideally brokerage experience.
Skills:
- Be articulate and confident
- Analytical and able to quickly assess issues and recommend and/or implement solutions
- Robust and resilient, able to absorb pressure and respond positively
- Solid pragmatic approach to delivering to tight deadlines and targets
- Ability to plan, organise and prioritise
- Hold a full UK driving licence.
Ideally, The candidate will be based in and around Yorkshire or Lancashire. The role will require travel and time spent in the office in Huddersfield.
Package: £48-50k + OTE + car allowance
To apply please send a covering lettering and your CV to Robyn@footprint-recycling.com
We’re proud to announce that Footprint Recycling are ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2105 certified.
We now hold ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 accreditations. To achieve these globally recognised awards, we have evidenced our quality management systems, as well as the high level of quality customer service that we provide, while having a strong focus on sustainable development initiatives.
We worked towards our ISO accreditation to demonstrate our promise to provide high-quality, trusted services to our customers and our ongoing commitment to developing our ethical management systems.
To become ISO compliant, we underwent a long and extensive evaluation process that included an in-depth assessment of our quality management systems, a management system documentation review, and an audit of our processes and compliance, which was successful.
So, what are ISO certifications and why are they important?
ISO certifications are a seal of approval from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) body that acknowledges a company is run to one of their developed and published international standards. The ISO are an independent, non-governmental international organisation that brings together experts to share knowledge and develop standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
What is ISO 9001:2015?
ISO 9001:2015 is the internationally recognised Standard for Quality Management and is used by over 1 million companies; it was created to give organisations such as ours an internationally recognised award that proves we’re dedicated to reducing costs and improving productivity.
ISO 9001:2015 certification also assures our customers that they will receive consistent, quality products and services.
How ISO 9001:2015 help us?
ISO 9001 helps us improve quality and demonstrates to our clients that we have a strict set of standards in place, including customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, continual improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and relationship management.
What are the benefits of ISO 9001?
Benefits of ISO 9001 Certification include – increased efficiency, international recognition, a factual approach to decision-making, better supplier relationships, improved customer satisfaction, and excellent employee morale.
What is ISO 14001:2015?
ISO 14001:2015 is the International Standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Designed to help businesses and other organisations to reduce their environmental impact.
Implementing ISO 14001:2015 helps us to demonstrate to our customers and stakeholders that we are committed to reducing our environmental impact (in addition to helping our customers reduce theirs). In addition, it demonstrates our pledge to reduce waste and improve our resource efficiency.
Our ISO certifications demonstrate that we have robust, clearly defined procedures in all our business areas, such as risk management, handling of documents and data, environmental awareness, and strong business continuity processes.
We believe our ISO accreditations are important as they demonstrate the quality of service provided. Investing in a new product or service, often from a company you have not previously worked with, can be unnerving. The ISO certificate is a testimony of trust that demonstrates our commitment to you.
Now that we’re officially ISO accredited, we can proudly state that Footprint Recycling (continues and officially) operates with both quality and transparency in everything we do.
Get in touch if you need help or support with any waste management and emissions.
Looking after you at Christmas
On behalf of all us at Footprint Recycling, we would like to thank all our customers and suppliers personally for our continued success in 2022, and take this opportunity to wish you and all your families a fantastic Christmas and New Year.
We'd also like to extend our thanks and Christmas wishes to all our colleagues at Footprint Recycling for their support throughout the year.
We'll be taking a few days off over the holidays but will be open in and amongst, if you need to contact us we'll be open🌲 on the following dates:
Friday 23rd - our offices will close at 3.30 pm
Monday 26th - Tuesday 27th - our offices are CLOSED
Wednesday 28th - Friday 30th - our offices are OPEN
Monday 2nd January - our offices are CLOSED
Tuesday 3rd January - OPEN AS NORMAL.
We hope 2023 brings success and prosperity to you all.
Clare & Robyn
HOMELESSNESS IS ON THE RISE
As darker, colder, and wetter nights set in, we’ve received more reports from suppliers and industry colleagues about people taking shelter or sleeping in and around waste bins.
With surging homelessness in the UK, there has been an increase in people taking shelter and sleeping rough in waste bins. Unfortunately, this has resulted in several deaths of vulnerable people over the years. It’s not just homelessness that forces people to take shelter in bins. One in 10 cases of someone sheltering in a bin involves people on a night out.
Homelessness is a serious issue that we should all be aware of, both professionally and privately. We all need to play a part in helping others stay safe, everyone deserves to have a roof over their head, so please be alert to those in need this winter
If you have a waste bin or large container on your premises please:
Check, Look, Think
- Check your locks on bins – are they broken/working
- Is there evidence of someone using the bin as shelter, take a look around the bin ie, makeshift steps, open lids
- Raise awareness amongst staff by creating a company campaign.
If you suspect or are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please contact your local authority or one of these charitable organisation for advice.
Shelter
Crisis
Your Local Authority
StreeLink
Bank Holiday Monday 19th September, 2022
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Hugely respected and loved by people worldwide, Queen Elizabeth was our longest-serving Monarch with 70 years of commitment, dedication, and service to our Country and the Commonwealth.
Having only ever known one Monarch, the Queen has been the strength and stay of our nation for generations. The Queen once said of her late husband, Prince Phillip, "He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know."
Wise words that translate to how we feel today.
Our Queen always acted with remarkable grace and composure, she was patient and wise, she was a beacon of light in dark times, she was our pillar of strength and stability, she was steadfast and unwavering, compassionate and understanding. For these qualities and more, she inspired genuine affection from across the world.
She will be long remembered, and we are thankful for all she has done. Our thoughts go to The Royal Family during this challenging time.
Please note as a mark of respect, our offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 19th September to witness and honor our late Queen. R.I.P Should your scheduled lift fall on the Bank Holiday, PLEASE BE AWARE that we will not automatically reschedule your service. Should you wish your services to be rescheduled please contact our customer services team on 01484 660770.
The beginning of a new era for Footprint Recycling
It's the beginning of a new era for Footprint Waste Management as we launch our new brand identity, company positioning, and, soon, a new website.
Our new brand represents our continued commitment and investment in our company. We have seen significant growth over the past few years, a growing team and new major contract wins. We've also expanded our service offering, which now includes Carbon Neutral, complementing our existing offering of complete waste management and recycling.
As we develop and expand, everything we do still revolves around our experiences and customers. The new brand represents our simple company ethos of providing services to promote a circular economy - Waste Management - Recycling - Carbon Neutral.
Robyn Brook, Director, said: "Our business has gone from strength to strength but we couldn’t have done it without our fantastic customers and staff. I thank you all for believing in us and I thank our wonderful team who make every day possible. Clare and I are inspired (and regularly saved!) by you all.
"Our waste management vision is simple, to be the best and never give up. We started Footprint because we believed we could do better, be faster, more creative, find a better solution, make our clients more money, save them money, be useful, be supportive, be honest, think outside the box, add value to their business by understanding their business, offer the best waste solution and results for sustainability, find the ‘how can’.
"We review, we learn, we set targets, we train, we drive, we track, we deliver results then we review and re-set the goal posts.
"We want to grow our business and our network and we want to learn more. We have many customers who we’ve helped to reach 97%-98% recyclability with as much of that as possible going to re-use.
The new brand represents where we stand as a company today; it's a simple formula, but we feel it's the perfect fit for us, it unifies our services, and it was necessary to reflect and establish ourselves now and in the future."
If you'd like to chat to us about your current waste management, recycling, or reducing your carbon emissions, give us a call on 01484 660770 or drop us an email, and we will give you a call.