New sustainability lead takes the lead on reducing our carbon footprint
We’d like to introduce our new sustainability lead, Bradley Melville, who coordinates our project-based carbon reporting – a key development in our unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability targets are increasingly central to our projects, whether that’s a new build or refurbishment. We can work within the parameters of all major environmental accreditations where required including WELL, LEED, SKA and BREEAM – between them these standards provide the benchmark for non-domestic fit-outs. And, as such ratings are typically awarded to projects as a whole, it’s vital that every link in the supply chain plays its part in achieving these standards. Sharing information relating to the actual embodied carbon of materials used on any given project is an important step to reducing its carbon footprint and achieving increasingly strict sustainability targets.
As part of this and to further support architects, main contractors and building owners, we’re pleased to have Bradley on board in this new role, co-ordinating our project-based carbon reporting across both Cre8 and Washroom projects. This enables us to easily share data with our main contractor clients about the products and materials we use.
Bradley commented: “Where a few years ago only a handful of projects required such a detailed approach to sustainability, and these were classed as ‘green’ or ‘eco’ projects, it has very quickly become the norm. In fact, the vast majority of projects we’re working on at the moment have sustainability goals to factor in. We’re proud to be able to play our part in helping clients meet sustainability targets by providing main contractors with carbon data relating to the products and materials we use, which can then feed into their overall carbon reports for each project.”
Using our expertise, we’re also able to work closely with clients to advise on alternative materials to potentially reduce the environmental impact of a project without compromising on either performance or aesthetics. For example, products like Smile Plastics which are manufactured using 100% recycled and 100% recyclable plastic, and bamboo veneer in place of slow-growing hardwood varieties. On some of the refurbishment projects we’ve worked on, we’ve even incorporated recycled materials from the building itself to create something new – in one case crushing the stone floor of the reception area to create the new washroom vanities, which significantly reduced waste while also creating a link to the old building.
Taking steps to reduce our own carbon footprint
In recent years we’ve made changes to our own manufacturing processes and delivery fleet as well to reduce waste, become more energy efficient and lower our overall carbon footprint as a manufacturer and installer.
From our large biomass boiler, which runs on wood off-cuts to heat our factory and offices, to our CNC machines which are designed to maximise the efficiency of cuts – we’re always looking at ways to reduce the waste we generate. We’ve also switched things up by introducing electric fork lifts and a fleet of fuel-efficient Euro 6 class vans, installing EV charging points and we’re in the process of switching our company vehicles to EVs. Where possible we manufacture using sustainable materials including FSC certified timber and low VOC paints and lacquers. These carbon savings ultimately impact the projects we work on, allowing us to pass the benefits on to our clients.
To find out more about how we can meet your sustainability criteria, get in touch with the team today to discuss your next project.
