Corporate Responsibility
As a mail order distributor, it is important that we use vigilance to ensure that our business is run in an efficient, economical and ethical manner. Whilst mail order may at a casual glance appear to be a less than green business model, when run in the correct manner, it can actually be surprisingly environmentally friendly.
As a very simple example, one delivery van following a well planned route to deliver items to 50 homes is likely to be far more efficient than 50 people travelling to the shops to collect items individually. As couriers increasingly shift to low energy vehicles using sustainable fuels, carbon savings will rapidly increase until such time as alternative fuel vehicles become widely used by the population in general.
Some further examples of what we're doing to minimise our environmental impact are included below.
Logistics
The bulk of our shipments are handled by two companies, both of which have strong environmental policies.
For smaller items, we usually use Royal Mail. Royal Mail have a strong commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and are progressing towards their aim to make their deliveries sustainable and carbon neutral.
For larger items, we use DHL. As part of the Deutsche Post group and as an employer of over 500,000 employees worldwide, the group has a strong corporate responsibility ethic and is taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Additionally, DHL operates a Disaster Response Team, working in partnership with the United Nations and UNICEF to provide logistics and support in areas affected by natural disasters.
Web Hosting
We host all web sites on servers provided by 1&1, the first large web host who relies solely on renewable energy. 1&1 believe in a sustainable society for all and that every business has a role in this responsibility. They have therefore made a strong commitment to fight pollution and preserve our natural resources. 1&1 now uses wind, water and solar power in accordance with the Renewable Energy Certification System (RECS).
1&1 also use energy highly economically, with less than 20 per cent heat loss - one of the best figures in the industry. As soon as the outside temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius, they cool their data centre using open-air coolers that work without energy-consuming compressors, reducing the need for inefficient air conditioning systems.
Staff Transport
As a distributor of bicycles, the choice as to whether to join the Government's cycle to work scheme was a foregone conclusion for us. As a member of the scheme, we offer our employees the option to obtain a bicycle though a salary sacrifice arrangement or, if they prefer, to purchase one outright at our wholesale cost price.
