Our ESG Action Plan for a Sustainable Future

ESG – short for Environmental, Social and Governance – is a set of standards measuring a company’s impact on society and the environment. Now more than ever, businesses are being challenged on their attitudes and actions for transformation and therefore encouraged to establish a strong ESG proposition.

We understand it’s important to not simply pledge our commitment towards becoming more environmentally responsible but to develop a tangible, practical plan that can be implemented company wide.

Since the launch of Cleveland group, we’ve considered all areas across the business and set achievable and purposeful targets for improving environmental sustainability. 

An intensive, holistic audit is planned for completion before March 2023, however we have already adopted ESG principles and introduced several initiatives as part of our corporate strategy.

In August 2022, we partnered with Ecologi, an organisation which aims to reduce the carbon footprints of businesses by supporting sustainability projects.

By planting a tree for various reasons such as for every positive customer review received, we have planted 550 trees in Africa as of January 2023. Doing this, we can start to reduce our impact on the environment by offsetting our carbon emissions whilst also contributing to building forests around the world.

Last year, we announced the launch of the Cleveland group, consisting of Cleveland Containers and two new divisions – Cleveland Hire and Cleveland Modular.

Our Cleveland Hire fleet of modern, energy efficient anti vandal accommodation units are manufactured in the UK and are equipped with a range of eco features. From intelligent heating and lighting to double glazing windows and insulation, the range can also be powered by solar energy to eliminate the need for diesel generators on site. 

We’ve partnered with Vero Power to offer further renewable energy solutions including a modular ‘Regenerator’ unit which can power even a large site with multiple needs, removing the need for emission-heavy diesel generators.

Internally, the welfare of our employees plays a significant role in our ESG plan. As a responsible business, it’s imperative that we do our best to support the mental health and wellbeing of all employees.

Partnering with Vitality and Ben, we are delighted to offer a range of benefits to assist staff professionally and personally, including a Vitality Health insurance plan, pension contributions, a minimum of 25 days paid time off, group life assurance, a cycle to work scheme and more.

Furthermore, employees with company cars will be provided with electric or hybrid vehicles to reduce our reliance on fully diesel and petrol fuelled cars.

Two electric charging points supplied by Mer have already been installed at our head office in Stockton-on-Tees for cars to be recharged during the working day, and in the last six months, this has saved more than 275kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

The introduction of recycling facilities in all our locations allows us to responsibly dispose of paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminium, with specialist bins also being introduced to safely recycle batteries.

Since implementing an improved waste management solution in June 2022, we have diverted 13,000kg of waste from landfill and recycled 12,000kg.

In November 2022, we gained our UKAS accredited IS0 14001 certification, demonstrating that we operate to the highest of environmental standards, which assures employees and external stakeholders that our environmental impact is being measured and improved.

Other activities planned for development include installing solar panels at our head office and Middlesbrough depot and transferring to water based paint in our workshop. We are also analysing our supply chain to ensure that the products and services we purchase are responsible sourced and manufactured as much as possible.

There is a mountain to climb on our journey to becoming net zero, however we are confident that the changes we have already put in place and the actions following our major ESG audit are crucial steps that will help us achieve this long-term objective.