Within the Impact Assessment, the B Corp Environment pillar evaluates a company’s overall environmental management practices and its impact on air, climate, water, land, and biodiversity. It is the largest pillar by far, comprising four key areas and takes into account not only the direct impact of a company’s operations but also considers its supply chain and distribution channels.
B Corp Environment impact Area Introduction
At Eight Days a Week Print Solutions, we strive to make a positive difference through our environmental practices. Before becoming B Corp Certified, we were already certified a carbon-neutral business and actively participated in the carbon capture scheme alongside our paper supplier and in partnership with The Woodland Trust – this ensures we are contributing to reducing carbon emissions and supporting ecological restoration.
We prioritise sustainable practices within our daily operations, ranging from non-toxic cleaning products at our headquarters to implementing energy-efficient technologies.
By minimising our environmental footprint and prioritising responsible resource management, we aim to lead by example in the print industry. Additionally, we actively educate and engage our stakeholders about environmental impacts, empowering them to make informed choices that support sustainability.
Environmental Management
We are committed to environmental management and prioritising sustainability in all aspects of our operations, which is reflected in our B Corp Environment pillar. We recognise the importance of green building standards, and while less than 20% of our facilities (by area) are currently certified to meet the requirements of an accredited green building program, we are actively working towards increasing this percentage. Our goal is to continue improving the sustainability of our facilities, whether owned or leased.
For the facilities we lease, we collaborate with our landlords to implement and maintain energy and water efficiency improvements. By working together, we aim to create environmentally friendly spaces that minimise resource consumption and promote sustainable practices.
At the core of our environmental management efforts is the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). Our EMS covers waste generation, energy usage, water usage, and carbon emissions. It includes a policy statement that documents our organisation’s commitment to the environment. We have also conducted assessments to evaluate the environmental impact of our business activities. Based on these assessments, we have established stated objectives and quantifiable targets for the environmental aspects of our operations.
We have developed programming with allocated resources to achieve these targets. To ensure compliance and effectiveness, we conduct periodic compliance reviews and auditing. Additionally, we engage in third-party auditing and certification of our EMS to provide independent verification of our sustainable practices.
We also prioritise environmentally certified products. During the last fiscal year, 1-24% of the products we sold had a product certification that assesses their environmental impacts or production processes.
Incorporating environmental considerations into product design is another crucial aspect of our sustainability efforts. Within the last 24 months, we have conducted reviews of product materials, design, reuse, and recyclability for a majority of the products we manufacture or sell. By considering environmental factors during the design phase, we strive to minimise our products’ ecological footprint and support a circular economy.
B Corp Environment Pillar – Air and Climate
Another key factor we are mindful of, is how our operations have the potential to impact air quality and contribute to climate change. As a print company, we are committed to minimising our carbon footprint and we are actively managing our energy usage.
To ensure transparency and accountability, we regularly monitor and record our energy consumption, including electricity and other energy sources used for heating and hot water. While we have not set specific reduction targets at this time, we recognise the importance of continuous improvement and are actively exploring opportunities to reduce the impact of our energy use.
Over the past 12 months, our total energy usage amounted to 7.94 gigajoules – for all you energy geeks out there! We are dedicated to increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources in our operations. Currently, around 10% of our energy consumption is produced from renewable sources. By incorporating renewable energy into our operations, we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the transition of a more sustainable energy future.
Energy efficiency is another key aspect of our environmental stewardship. We have implemented energy conservation and efficiency measures across the majority of our corporate facilities. By utilising Energy Star appliances, employing automatic sleep modes and timers, adding efficient lighting techniques such as natural light and compact fluorescent bulbs Also, optimising our HVAC systems with programmable thermostats and occupancy sensors, we strive to minimise energy waste and reduce our ecological footprint.
Our energy conservation efforts have resulted in tangible energy savings. Based on changes from the previous year or annualised from a baseline year, we have achieved energy savings of 15-20%. These reductions are a testament to our commitment to sustainable practices and motivate us to continue implementing energy-efficient solutions throughout our operations.
Greenhouse gases
Monitoring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are integral components of our environmental management strategy. We regularly monitor and record our emissions, with specific science-based targets necessary to align with global goals to address climate change. Additionally, we have achieved carbon neutrality, reflecting our commitment to offsetting our GHG emissions through the purchase of certified carbon credits.
In terms of GHG emissions, our Scope 1 emissions totalled 7.91 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent, while our Scope 2 emissions amounted to 1.15 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent. As for Scope 3 emissions, which encompass indirect emissions from our value chain, including suppliers, services, and materials, we recorded a total of 32.76 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
Efficiency improvements implemented throughout our operations have contributed to substantial reductions in GHG emissions. We estimate that our conservation and efficiency measures have led to savings of 20% or more in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. By prioritising energy efficiency and responsible resource management, we aim to minimise our impact on climate change and promote a more sustainable future.
Our Supply Chain
Managing the environmental impact of our supply chain is another crucial aspect of our air and climate initiatives. We have conducted an analysis of our value chain, identifying material risk contributions of GHG emissions. Additionally, we have purchased certified carbon credits to offset the GHG emissions produced throughout our supply chain. Through these efforts, we are actively working towards reducing the overall environmental impact associated with our procurement and distribution processes.
Travel & Commuting
To reduce the environmental footprint caused by travel and commuting, we have implemented programs and policies to encourage sustainable transportation choices among our employees. Subsidies and incentives are provided for the use of public transportation, carpooling, and biking to work. Additionally, we actively encourage the use of virtual meeting technology to minimise the need for in-person meetings, further reducing travel-related emissions.
Sourcing locally is another important aspect of our sustainability strategy. During the last fiscal year, we spent 20-29% of our cost of goods sold (COGS) with suppliers located within 200 miles (or 322 km) of where the end product was used. This local sourcing approach helps reduce transportation-related emissions and supports local economies. Transportation plays a significant role in our distribution and supply chain. We utilise clean or low-emission vehicles such as hybrids, LPG, and electric vehicles for product transportation and distribution.
Water
We understand the importance of monitoring and managing water usage, which is why we regularly monitor and record our water consumption. Over the last 12 months, we have successfully reduced our total water use to 123,000 litres.
To further conserve water, we have implemented various water-saving measures in the majority of our corporate offices and plant facilities. This includes the installation of low-flow faucets, taps, toilets, urinals, and showerheads.
In addition to implementing water conservation methods, we also strive to utilise water harvested on-site or from recycled sources. Currently, up to 24% of the water used by our company is sourced from on-site harvesting or recycled sources. This helps us reduce reliance on freshwater resources and promotes a more sustainable approach to water consumption.
To ensure that water conservation practices are integrated into our daily operations, we design our business processes to conserve and minimise water usage.
B Corp Environment Pillar – Land & Life
We are committed to being environmentally responsible and minimising our impact on the land and life around us. As part of our sustainability efforts, we actively monitor and manage our waste production. We have not yet set specific reduction targets. However, we recognise the importance of waste reduction and are continuously exploring opportunities to minimise our waste output.
We understand the significance of recycling in preserving the environment. We have implemented a company-wide recovery and recycling program that encompasses various materials, including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal. Through these programs, we aim to divert recyclable waste from landfills and promote a circular economy.
To reduce end-of-life waste, we have established an active end-of-life product/component reclamation program. By reclaiming and refurbishing parts and components, we extend their useful life and contribute to a more sustainable approach to consumption.
Packaging plays a crucial role in our efforts to minimise environmental impact being a print company. Within the last two years, we have implemented source-reduced packaging, reducing the overall amount of materials used.
Additionally, our packaging materials are certified to meet independent standards for environmental impact. We prioritise recyclable packaging and provide clear instructions on how to recycle it correctly.
Furthermore, our packaging is designed to be non-toxic and to have a lower overall environmental impact compared to common alternatives.
Concerning the materials used in our products and packaging, a significant percentage (75-99% by volume) is made of recyclable or biodegradable materials.
We label these materials accordingly, ensuring that consumers can make informed decisionsabout the products they purchase. Moreover, 50-74% of the materials we use come from recycled materials, reused components, and/or certified sustainably sourced materials. This demonstrates our commitment to utilising environmentally preferred input materials throughout our operations.
Hazardous Waste
We monitor and record our emissions, taking measures to minimise the generation of hazardous waste. Additionally, we can verify that all hazardous waste produced is disposed of responsibly. This includes the correct disposal of batteries, paint, electronic equipment, and other potentially harmful substances.
To promote chemical reduction and minimise our environmental footprint, we have made conscious choices in our purchasing practices. For the majority of our corporate facilities, we use unbleached or chlorine-free paper products, as well as soy-based inks or other low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) inks. Furthermore, we prioritise the use of recycled and environmentally preferred office supplies, such as paper, pens, and notebooks.
In managing our supply chain, we are vigilant about tracking and managing toxins or hazardous waste, and we have taken steps to verify there are none within our supply chain. By partnering with suppliers who share our commitment to sustainability, we ensure that the materials and products we utilise meet our high environmental standards.
We feel that the Land & Life pillar reflects our dedication to responsible waste management, sustainable packaging, chemical reduction, and supply chain transparency, which is vital if you want to be a green player within the print industry. While we acknowledge there is room for improvement and we still have a long way to go, we are committed to progress. To read more about how we worked towards achieving B Corp certification, visit our Blog or our B Corp page.
