Statement of Intent by ARCT Transport Ltd - Environmental Sustainability
Updated March 2023
Being sustainable is a priority at ARCT Transport Ltd. We must meet the needs of the present, for our customers and employees, without compromising future generations meeting their needs. We embrace the three pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental and social.For us they are interlinked and co-dependent.
This statement focuses on our targets for environmental sustainability so that our employees and the wider community, in addition to those involved in the supply chain in faraway shores, may breathe clean air and enjoy natural resources - all within a non-toxic environment.
We endeavour to constantly improve our environmental performance by setting targets, whilst tracking and monitoring our performance in meeting these targets. Our overriding aim always being to minimise our impact. Our policy commitments are detailed below:
Carbon Management: to use energy from renewable sources for our premises and to exponentially invest in electric vehicles en route to 2025 and beyond. This plan will evolve and develop as the supply chain enhances the provision and selection of EVs and the public charging infrastructure expands across the whole of Scotland, allowing us to access remote and farflung areas. During the transitional phase we offset our carbon emissions through the planting of trees and in partnership with Tweed Forum Carbon Club.
Waste Management: to continue to minimise waste, in general, and to responsibly manage the disposal of residual waste such as plastic and cardboard. To continue to recycle 100% of both. To encourage the recycling of employee waste from the employee canteen and vehicles.
Water Usage: to rationalise the use of tap water and investigate ways in which we could save water. To research the usage of rain and grey water, in particular through rain harvesting.
Sustainable Procurement: to endeavour to recycle and repurpose all materials and furnishings, within the realms of physically possible, to rationalise our consumption. To source new products from sustainable suppliers who share our vision on the environment and sustainability planning. For example, moving forward plant-based cleaning products will be used for our vehicles. To develop an upcycled eco-garden on an exponential level to feed our employees.
Refurbishment and Premises Maintenance: to consider sustainability in any projects or expansion in order to obtain optimal environmental efficiency. To keep our working environment clean in a way that is kind to the environment through the usage of eco-friendly products, including sustainable cleaning products - whilst being mindful of Covid-19 and any other infectious illnesses or viruses.
Biodiversity: to consider our natural environment and to care for and maintain it as far as physically possible, in particular through the creation of honey bee colonies in our East End Hub. To grow our colonies to transform the industrial estate from which we work in Glasgow.
Transport: to encourage the usage of sustainable and ecologically-friendly modes of transport for our employees. To locate, when possible, close to a public transport network which facilitates this process. To support financially staff who wish to adopt more eco-friendly modes of transport and to encourage the uptake of the ‘Bike2WorkScheme.’
Staff and Community Involvement: to make sure that all employees are mindful of their working conditions, their carbon footprint, and their impact on the environment. To implement environmental sustainability as a way of working at all levels within ARCT Transport Ltd. To encourage all our staff to have an active input into the formation of future targets for being increasingly environmentally sustainable. To make environmental sustainability training a prerequisite for all members of staff, new and old.
Partnership Working: to actively seek and maintain partnerships with organisations, charities and businesses who share our sustainability goals. For example though working with the child cobalt miner in DRC, we address the issues surrounding green supply chain ethics.
All enquiries on sustainability should be directed to anne@arcttransport.co.uk