Environmental Statement
This policy applies to all activities undertaken by SDK Group Limited and impacts upon suppliers and customers.
Our Goal - Our Promise
As part of our dedication to environmental sustainability and our promise to combat climate change, SDK Group Limited commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions over the lifespan of our company. Recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change, we aim to reduce our future carbon footprint and retrospectively offset all historical CO2 emissions since our company’s inception. Our approach includes a multi-faceted strategy to ensure we meet this ambitious goal:
Carbon Offset Initiatives
Investing in verified carbon offset projects, such as reforestation, renewable energy, and community-based sustainability projects, to neutralize our past and ongoing emissions. Our goal is to offset an equivalent amount of CO2 to what has been emitted by our operations since the company was founded, making us net-zero retrospectively and moving forward.
Ongoing Review and Adaptation
Continually reviewing our CO2 goals to adapt to new scientific insights and technological advancements. This includes regularly assessing the effectiveness of our chosen offset projects and making adjustments as necessary to maximize our positive environmental impact.
Staff Engagement and Training
We encourage the contribution of innovative ideas and sustainable practices, rewarding significant efforts towards energy efficiency and waste reduction. This collective approach empowers our employees to be ambassadors of sustainability, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship within and beyond our operations.
Sustainable Sourcing
We prioritise sustainable sourcing by exclusively partnering with primary suppliers accredited under ISO 14001. This approach enhances our environmental performance, ensures compliance with legislation, and aligns with our sustainability goals through regular assessments and collaborative improvement initiatives with suppliers. Our dedication to sustainable supply chain management underscores our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting a more sustainable economy.
Waste Management and Reduction Strategy
We have enhanced its waste reduction strategy by integrating advanced software and equipment since 2020, achieving a 35% reduction in material waste. Through efficient job management and precision cutting, along with a robust recycling program and waste compaction, the company significantly minimizes its environmental footprint. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability, marrying commercial success with proactive environmental stewardship.
Energy Efficiency Measures
We made significant strides in sustainability, transitioning to 100% renewable energy and implementing eco-friendly upgrades, including LED lighting and electric vehicles by 2022. Advanced energy management and staff engagement further optimize energy use and promote green practices.
By committing to net-zero emissions over the life of our company, including offsetting our historical carbon footprint, SDK Group Limited takes a significant step towards responsible environmental stewardship. We recognize this commitment as not just an obligation to our planet but as a strategic investment in our collective future, ensuring we contribute to a sustainable and resilient environment for generations to come.
As part of our dedication to environmental sustainability and our promise to combat climate change, SDK Group Limited commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions over the lifespan of our company. Recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change, we aim to reduce our future carbon footprint and retrospectively offset all historical CO2 emissions since our company’s inception. Our approach includes a multi-faceted strategy to ensure we meet this ambitious goal:
Carbon Offset Initiatives
Investing in verified carbon offset projects, such as reforestation, renewable energy, and community-based sustainability projects, to neutralize our past and ongoing emissions. Our goal is to offset an equivalent amount of CO2 to what has been emitted by our operations since the company was founded, making us net-zero retrospectively and moving forward.
Ongoing Review and Adaptation
Continually reviewing our CO2 goals to adapt to new scientific insights and technological advancements. This includes regularly assessing the effectiveness of our chosen offset projects and making adjustments as necessary to maximize our positive environmental impact.
Staff Engagement and Training
We encourage the contribution of innovative ideas and sustainable practices, rewarding significant efforts towards energy efficiency and waste reduction. This collective approach empowers our employees to be ambassadors of sustainability, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship within and beyond our operations.
Sustainable Sourcing
We prioritise sustainable sourcing by exclusively partnering with primary suppliers accredited under ISO 14001. This approach enhances our environmental performance, ensures compliance with legislation, and aligns with our sustainability goals through regular assessments and collaborative improvement initiatives with suppliers. Our dedication to sustainable supply chain management underscores our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting a more sustainable economy.
Waste Management and Reduction Strategy
We have enhanced its waste reduction strategy by integrating advanced software and equipment since 2020, achieving a 35% reduction in material waste. Through efficient job management and precision cutting, along with a robust recycling program and waste compaction, the company significantly minimizes its environmental footprint. These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainability, marrying commercial success with proactive environmental stewardship.
Energy Efficiency Measures
We made significant strides in sustainability, transitioning to 100% renewable energy and implementing eco-friendly upgrades, including LED lighting and electric vehicles by 2022. Advanced energy management and staff engagement further optimize energy use and promote green practices.
By committing to net-zero emissions over the life of our company, including offsetting our historical carbon footprint, SDK Group Limited takes a significant step towards responsible environmental stewardship. We recognize this commitment as not just an obligation to our planet but as a strategic investment in our collective future, ensuring we contribute to a sustainable and resilient environment for generations to come.
We are Carbon Negative – 2024
In our commitment to not only mitigate our impact on the environment but to actively contribute to its betterment, SDK Group Limited is proud to announce that from the year 2024 onwards, our operations will achieve a carbon-negative status. This ambitious goal is reached through strategic investment in carbon offset projects, specifically by supporting the creation and preservation of native woodlands in the UK, which sequester more carbon than our operations emit. Our dedication to exceeding net-zero emissions demonstrates our leadership in environmental stewardship and our resolve to make a positive impact on the planet.
Project Highlights: Hawkshaw Woodland Initiative
As part of our carbon-negative strategy, we have invested in the Hawkshaw project, a new native broadleaf woodland located in the Scottish Borders, adjacent to the River Tweed—an area of significant environmental sensitivity and importance. This project aligns with our goals by providing a multitude of ecological benefits:
- Rainwater Interception and Water Quality Improvement: Enhancing the local water cycle and contributing to the stability and quality of the River Tweed ecosystem.
- Biodiversity Enhancement: Creating a habitat for a diverse range of species, thus enriching the local biodiversity and promoting ecological balance.
- Air Quality and Habitat Provision: Improving air quality and offering crucial habitat space for wildlife, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.
- Landscape Diversity: Introducing woodland into a landscape predominantly characterized by open grazing and commercial forestry, thereby adding ecological variety and resilience.
Accreditation and Carbon Credit Approach
Our involvement with the Hawkshaw project is guided by the highest standards of environmental integrity and accountability:
- Accreditation Standard: The project is certified under the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC), ensuring it meets rigorous criteria for ecological benefit and carbon sequestration.
- Credit Type: Our investment is represented by Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), which denote the future carbon savings expected as the woodland matures. These PIUs are essential steps towards generating tangible Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs), affirming the carbon savings achieved.
This approach underscores our commitment to supporting projects that not only offset carbon but also provide lasting environmental benefits. It’s important to note that while PIUs represent anticipated future benefits, our investment in the Hawkshaw project is a testament to our belief in long-term environmental sustainability and our role in supporting ecosystems that will flourish for generations.
Our Promise for a Carbon Negative Passed, Present & Future
By achieving carbon-negative operations from 2024 through strategic investments like the Hawkshaw woodland initiative, SDK Group Limited sets a new benchmark for corporate environmental responsibility. We are not just offsetting our carbon footprint; we are actively contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and resilient natural world. Our efforts go beyond mere compliance or offsetting; they are an investment in the future of our planet.
This initiative is part of our broader commitment to environmental stewardship, underlining our promise to exceed sustainability goals, enhance biodiversity, and support the health of ecosystems in which we operate. As we move forward, SDK Group Limited remains dedicated to exploring and supporting innovative projects that align with our vision for a sustainable, carbon-negative future.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency Measures
At Edinburgh Banners, we recognize the critical importance of energy efficiency not only in reducing our environmental footprint but also in leading the industry towards more sustainable practices. Building on our commitment to sustainability, we are dedicated to implementing enhanced energy efficiency measures across our operations. Our goal is to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, thereby contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.
Renewable Energy Transition:
Our commitment to sustainability is exemplified by our transition to 100% renewable energy sources for our electricity supply. This significant step ensures that all our operations are powered by green energy, drastically reducing our carbon footprint and setting a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the industry.
Energy-Efficient Lighting and Equipment:
In 2018, we undertook a major upgrade of our lighting systems, switching entirely to high-efficacy LED lighting and replacing outdated halogen and fluorescent tube lighting. This transition not only enhanced our energy efficiency but also improved the working environment for our staff. Alongside lighting upgrades, we installed loft insulation across all office spaces, further reducing our energy demand and enhancing thermal comfort.
In 2022, we began upgrading our printers to newer models equipped with environmentally friendly ink sets, aligning our printing practices with our sustainability goals. Additionally, 2022 marked the complete transition of our company vehicle fleet to 100% electric vehicles, significantly reducing our operational emissions. We also installed electric vehicle charging stations for all staff, promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and supporting sustainable commuting practices.
Energy Management Systems:
We have implemented advanced energy management systems to monitor, control, and optimize our energy use comprehensively. These systems provide real-time data on our energy consumption, enabling us to identify inefficiencies and implement immediate adjustments. This proactive approach ensures continuous improvement in our energy use and supports our sustainability objectives.
Employee Engagement and Training:
Our employees are at the heart of our energy efficiency strategy. Through regular training sessions and initiatives, we actively engage our team in our sustainability goals. We encourage energy-saving ideas and behaviours and recognize and reward significant contributions to energy efficiency. Many of our employees have embraced sustainable commuting options, such as walking and cycling to work, further contributing to our environmental objectives.
Waste Management and Reduction Strategy
At Edinburgh Banners, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy efficiency and into the vital area of waste management and reduction. Our approach to waste is not just about minimizing our environmental impact; it’s about rethinking how resources are used and managed throughout our operations. Here’s how we are making a difference:
Innovative Job Management for Reduced Waste:
- In 2020, we took a significant step forward by implementing new software to manage our jobs more efficiently. This technology allows us to tile similar jobs together, optimizing material usage and significantly reducing waste. This not only makes our production process more sustainable but also more cost-effective.
- Building on this success, in 2023, we invested in new equipment and software specifically designed for precision cutting. This upgrade has revolutionized our production times and further minimized material waste, ensuring that we use our resources as efficiently as possible.
- Our continuous pursuit of improvement led us to begin trialing new software in 2024, aimed at enhancing our current systems. Since the initial implementation in 2020, we have proudly achieved a 35% reduction in material wastage, a testament to our proactive approach to environmental stewardship.
Responsible Disposal and Recycling Practices:
- Despite our best efforts to minimize waste, disposal is sometimes necessary. To manage this, we operate a dual-bin system for waste management: one for general waste and another for recyclables. We are committed to recycling everything that can be, from paper and cardboard to plastics and metals, ensuring that we divert as much waste from landfill as possible.
- For non-recyclable waste, we employ a waste compactor, significantly reducing the volume of our general waste. This not only lessens our environmental footprint but also reduces the frequency of waste collection required, further lowering our operational emissions.
- Our dedicated team is trained to sort waste meticulously, ensuring that all recyclable materials are processed correctly. This commitment to recycling and waste reduction is a core part of our sustainability strategy, reflecting our responsibility towards the environment and our community
Looking Forward
Our journey towards waste reduction is ongoing. We continuously seek out new technologies and practices that can help us improve our sustainability. Our achievements in reducing material wastage, alongside our robust recycling practices, highlight our commitment to not just meeting but exceeding environmental standards.
At Edinburgh Banners, we understand that our responsibility to the planet extends beyond our immediate operations. Through innovative waste management and reduction strategies, we are proud to set a positive example for the industry, demonstrating that commercial success and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
Sustainable Sourcing and Supply Chain Management
our dedication to environmental sustainability extends into every aspect of our operations, including the crucial area of sourcing and supply chain management. We understand that our environmental impact is not limited to our direct operations but also encompasses the entire supply chain. Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that our sourcing practices reflect our sustainability values and objectives.
ISO 14001 Accredited Suppliers: Central to our sustainable sourcing strategy is our commitment to partnering with suppliers who share our environmental ethos. We are proud to state that our primary suppliers are accredited under ISO 14001, the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. This accreditation ensures that our suppliers have demonstrated a systematic approach to managing their environmental impacts, from reducing waste and energy use to ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and regulations.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management Practices: In addition to selecting ISO 14001 accredited suppliers, we employ several practices to enhance the sustainability of our supply chain:
- Regular Supplier Assessments: We conduct regular assessments of our suppliers’ environmental performance, ensuring their practices remain aligned with our sustainability standards.
- Collaborative Improvement Initiatives: We work closely with our suppliers to identify opportunities for environmental improvements, from reducing packaging to implementing more efficient logistics strategies.
- Transparency and Reporting: We encourage transparency in our supply chain, sharing our sustainability goals with suppliers and reporting on supply chain sustainability performance to our stakeholders.
Looking Forward: Our commitment to sustainable sourcing and supply chain management is an ongoing journey. We continuously seek opportunities to enhance the sustainability of our sourcing practices and to expand our network of environmentally responsible suppliers. By doing so, Edinburgh Banners not only minimizes its environmental impact but also supports the broader transition towards a more sustainable economy.
Through these efforts, we reinforce our position as a responsible business leader, demonstrating that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. Our commitment to sustainable sourcing and supply chain management reflects our dedication to making a positive environmental impact, ensuring that we contribute to a sustainable future for our community and the planet.
Environmental Targets
CO2e Captured
93299Kg
Provided by Forest Carbon, a leader in voluntary carbon woodland creation in the UK
Trees planted
372
Biggar, Borders,
Lone Tree Thrimby, Penrith,
Doddington North, Wooler, Northumberland,
Woodland Area
2331m^2
Reduction of CO2e
12268kg of CO2e
Our Certification of Carbon Offsetting
Operations & Staff Offsets
2024 – offset all carbon emissions from company operations for the year 2024. This is a forecasted estimate. We will make additional commitments if we use more than predicted (from company growth).
Here are the links to each certificate:
2024
2017 – 2023, we promise to offset all past carbon emissions from company operations (excluding materials from goods sold) by the end of 2024.
Here are the links to each certificate:
January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December
Offsetting on raw materials – Goods sold.
Environmental Policy
SDK Group Limited T/A Edinburgh Banners
Updated: January 2024, Version 3
Scope and Commitment: SDK Group Limited, operating as Edinburgh Banners, is dedicated to leading by example in environmental stewardship across all aspects of our operations, influencing both our supply chain and our valued customers. Our policy reflects a comprehensive commitment to environmental protection, compliance with all relevant environmental legislation, and the pursuit of sustainable best practices.
Our Environmental Strategies:
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Sustainable Integration:
- We embed environmental considerations into our decision-making processes and daily activities, striving for minimal environmental impact and aiming for a zero-waste operation through the adoption of best practices.
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Continuous Environmental Improvement:
- Our commitment to environmental excellence is demonstrated through ongoing evaluation and improvement of our environmental footprint, engaging in activities that support resource efficiency, pollution reduction, and the use of recyclable and renewable materials.
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Employee and Stakeholder Engagement:
- We actively involve our employees in our environmental programs, providing the necessary training to foster a culture of responsibility and awareness. Additionally, we work collaboratively with suppliers to promote environmental best practices and engage our customers in understanding and participating in our sustainability efforts.
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Resource Efficiency and Pollution Reduction:
- By improving the efficiency of our water, energy, and raw materials usage, we not only conserve valuable resources but also limit pollutants’ discharge into the environment. This includes minimizing noise pollution and ensuring the safety of our employees and the public.
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Sustainability Initiatives:
- SDK Group Limited is proudly engaged in zero carbon initiatives with the FSC and World Land Trust, offsetting our carbon footprint through every media purchase. These contributions are invested back into our sustainability fund, enabling us to participate in more initiatives that reduce our carbon impact and support global environmental conservation.
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Customer Support and Information:
- We are committed to providing our customers with information and assistance on environmental issues related to our products and services, encouraging them to join us in our sustainability journey.
Our Promise for the Future: SDK Group Limited pledges to maintain a proactive stance on environmental sustainability, continuously seeking innovative solutions to enhance our environmental performance and contribute positively to a sustainable future. Our policy is a declaration of our ongoing dedication to environmental responsibility, our commitment to continual improvement, and our ambition to lead as an example within our industry and beyond.
