As a company that prioritises sustainability, we are proud to be a member of regional movement, Oh Yes! Net Zero.
So when asked if we’d act as a case study to help others reduce their environmental impact, we gladly accepted.
Comprising of a collection of Hull and Humber-based organisations, Oh Yes! Net Zero aims to reduce the region’s carbon footprint. Leading the way in the UK’s fight against climate change, it is committed to achieving its net zero ambitions.
The movement talked to our sustainability manager Heather Nixon about her advice for others looking to cut their carbon footprint.
Q. Let’s start with B Corp Certification. Of over five million UK businesses, less than 2,000 are B Corp Certified. What does it mean and why was it important for Bio-D?
A. “Being B Corp Certified means we meet rigorous social and environmental standards. It’s evidence of our belief in using business as a force for good, prioritising sustainability across all areas of the business.
“It took a huge amount of effort to achieve certification two years ago. And to maintain it we need to go through an audit process every three years. But it’s important for us, partly because it means we can prove our sustainability credentials. But mainly because the level of transparency and reporting it requires holds us to account. It keeps us focused on continuing to strive for improvements across the business.
“We were the first company in Hull and East Yorkshire to achieve certification. In fact, there are still only a handful of B Corps locally.”
Q. So, what are your most recent achievements in terms of environmental sustainability?
A. “We’ve already achieved net zero for energy usage (Scope 1 and 2), thanks to measures we’ve taken over recent years. This includes installing solar panels and switching to 100% renewable electricity for the times when the sun isn’t shining!
“Replacing fluorescent tube lighting with energy efficient LED alternatives has led to huge CO2e savings. Introducing sensors to lights in key areas like the canteen and locker room have also made a significant difference.
“Our reduction goals for last year included cutting our emissions per product and installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging point. We also wanted the site reviewed by an external expert to see where else we could make energy savings.
“We achieved them all, including cutting emissions by 13% per product, which the whole team was hugely proud of.”
Q. What advice would you give organisations at the start of their sustainability journey?
A. “Understanding your carbon footprint is an important first step. Before we began measuring and reporting on our emissions, we were doing what we thought were the right things. But having the data meant we were able to prioritise activities that would give us the biggest impact.”
Q. How important is it for businesses who want to become more sustainable to set specific goals?
A. “I think setting annual goals and targets as part of an overall reduction plan is vital for progress and momentum. They don’t all have to be big goals – the smaller stuff is important too, and it all adds up.
“For an organisation starting out on their sustainability journey I’d suggest setting five to 10 goals to help stay focused. You might not achieve all of them in the timescales you hoped for. But it’s an amazing feeling when you see the changes you can make.”
Q. What are some of the simple things organisations can do to reduce carbon emissions?
A. “Among the easy wins for us have been switching to recycled paper and using rechargeable batteries.
“And of course, we’d always recommend swapping cleaning products that use harsh chemicals for ones with a lower environmental impact!”
Q. And what’s next for Bio-D on the sustainability front?
A. “At the start of the year we published our latest Sustainability and Impact Report, which included our goals for 2024. They include continuing to reduce emissions per product.
“Our next B Corp certification audit is in 2025 and we’ve set ourselves a stretching target to improve our score. Another goal is to win a reputable sustainability award. This would be further evidence for our customers of our commitment to having a positive social impact. It would also be fantastic recognition for the efforts of the whole Bio-D team.”
If you’d like to find out more about our sustainability commitments you can see our latest report here.
You can find out more about the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign, and sign up, here.
