Carbon Reduction

As a leading UK manufacturer of polyethylene pipe systems, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact.

We have calculated our carbon footprint, normalised against the total weight of materials processed, since 2007 and are continually looking at ways of reducing this figure. Our carbon footprint is calculated following DEFRA's guidelines for company reporting on greenhouse emissions. Calculations are based on a detailed assessment of our direct and indirect emissions, including water and electricity usage, waste disposal and recycling, freight delivery activities and company car usage.

The carbon footprint for 2009 was calculated to be 11,988 tonnes of CO2, which equates to 0.44 kg of CO2 per kg of polyethylene produced. In 2008 we achieved a 6.5% reduction against 2007 levels. In 2009, our emissions have decreased by a further 6.9% when compared to the 2008 figure.

We have targeted electricity, gas and water usage, as well as recycling, as an opportunity to cut down on our carbon emissions and achieved the following effect:

Electricity usage – 3.5% and 19% year on year reductions in 2008 and 2009.
 
Gas usage – 26% year on year reduction in 2009.

Water usage - usage reduction of 36% since 2007.

Landfill waste - since 2007, GPS has reduced its landfill tonnage by 69% (from 313.4 tonnes in 2007 to 97.3 tonnes in 2009).

Non-Recycled Plastic Pipe Waste – 42% year on year reduction in 2009.

In recognition of these efforts to reduce our impact on the environment, in June 2010, we have won a Business in the Community carbon Positive Award, run in association with the Financial Times.

The summary of the contribution of each element of the overall carbon footprint is given below:



Looking ahead, our main focus will be on electricity usage and freight mileage, as these have the biggest impact on our emissions. We have been working with the Carbon Trust and Inenco to identify energy reduction opportunities and have implemented a number of improvements as a result of surveys they have undertaken. The undertaken initiatives vary from enthusing the staff to make energy improvements to installing high efficiency lighting and variable speed air compressors.

We will continue to be committed to reducing our environmental impact and endeavour to reduce our carbon footprint by a further 5% by 2012, through improved energy management and the implementation of new technologies.