Green Solutions
A six figure investment in solar panels is going live at Datagraphic’s UK production and technology centre to power sustainable customer mail and employee communications with green energy.
Datagraphic – which automates and processes outbound and inbound customer mail and employee communications – has installed 557 solar panels on the roof of its production centre in Rugby, Warwickshire.
This significant investment is part of the company’s science based low carbon strategy. Datagraphic uses the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol to measure its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. The target is to be net zero with Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the solar array is a significant step towards this plan.
Peter Wells, head of sustainability and commercial manager, commented: ‘Installing the solar panels is a huge step towards achieving our low carbon strategy. The panels can generate 226,000 kWh a year of green energy. We had a test phase in April and have gone completely live now. Already we have had days running the centre entirely on green electricity generated by sunlight. We are hoping to see many more in the months ahead as we move into British summertime.
‘We are still to assess the full impact of the panels. But, early signs show that when combining it with other environmental initiatives, we can remove more carbon than we produce – measuring Scope 2 carbon emissions.’
Peter continued, ‘This investment will help us produce and process communications more sustainably for our clients: really supporting their environmental goals and doing it competitively. In recent months, we have seen unprecedented double digit price rises in energy and materials that look set to increase again this autumn. We have had to pass on some increases to clients like every organisation, however, now self generating energy, we are anticipating a return on this investment, so in the years ahead, we can mitigate some future price rises.’
The team at Datagraphic is always seeking more sustainable ways to do business. The organisation is now one of the most sustainable suppliers in its sector: routinely scoring top marks in competitive tenders for the depth and breadth of its green credentials.
Other environmental initiatives by the organisation include:
Achieving ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification.
Achieving ISO 50001 Energy Management certification.
Becoming a Climate Aware company with ClimateCare and a supporter of the Terra Carta, Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Using local services and delivery partners to reduce emissions.
Investing in energy saving printers and those which deliver a white paper solution to support printing on-demand and waste reduction.
The company is now working on the next phase of its sustainability plans: reaching out to suppliers and partners to report on their carbon emissions. Capturing this information will enable it to understand emissions throughout its value chain, which will help the organisation work towards its target to be net zero with Scope 3 emissions by 2040.
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