Nobody likes being preached to, controlled, or told what to do, and instinctively this feels never more true than when it comes to the environment. It is a global crisis that affects people in vastly unequal ways. Some feel barely a ripple, while others’ lives are destroyed. Some people recycle every scrap, aiming for zero waste. Others take more private flights than steps. Our responses are as divided as our experiences. And then there is the deeper question. Our lives are brief compared to the age of the Earth. To borrow an old saying, why should we plant trees whose shade we will never sit under?
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For me, and in my working practice, the answer is straightforward. It is about taking personal responsibility for how we work, the methods we use, and the materials we choose. Our aim is to continually improve the sustainability of our business — reducing our environmental impact while maintaining high-quality services.
Each year, we adopt new initiatives that are both realistic and achievable. These efforts are designed to save resources, cut waste, and raise awareness of the impact that manufacturing has on the environment.
Sustainability Initiatives
- We donate each month to the Woodland Trust and its tree-planting program. A mature tree consumes a tonne of CO2 across a century.
- We have stopped using bottled water in our workshop. Colleagues now use reusable bottles, cutting plastic waste.
- We are eliminating solvents from our products and finding alternatives. This step makes our manufacturing safer for employees and reduces toxic waste.
- We use water-based spray finishes and non-toxic paints. Water-based paints reduce leftover waste and are recyclable.
- We hire vehicles only when needed and use electric vehicles or bicycles where possible. Avoiding a work van helps cut emissions — a typical van driving 10,000 miles emits around 1.5 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- We share workshop facilities with other businesses, using space and resources more efficiently while creating a more social and healthy workplace.
- Our design process prioritizes material efficiency, reducing offcuts and waste.
- We participate in wood-recycling schemes. Waste timber is repurposed or donated to schools and charities.
- We make high-quality products built to last — antiques of the future and heirlooms for our clients. We also offer repair services.
- Our office runs on solar power, cutting reliance on fossil fuels and reducing our carbon footprint.
- We work small and local where possible. This supports the local economy and reduces transport emissions.
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