We understand and acknowledge the climate crisis we are in. Honeywell Bakes has, from the very beginning, taken our environmental impact very seriously.
We have always considered our energy and water use, used local suppliers where we can, reused, recycled, considered our packaging, our ingredients and our financials with the planet in mind. We have a partnership with Ecologi, making us a climate positive workforce.
That being said, we acknowledge there is always more to do and in November 2024 we worked with West Northants Council and Ngage to better understand our carbon footprint and how we can approach reduction of emissions in a systematic manner.
We have no company vehicles and the bakery only uses electricity. There are on site solar panels, and, when necessary, the electricity is topped up from the grid using a zero carbon contract. Therefore, we do not have scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Scope 3 emissions include team travel, waste, and all purchased food and services. Scope 3 is almost always a company’s biggest area, and we are no exception.
Our scope 3 breakdown is:
- Packaging products (783 tonnes CO2e)
- Postal & courier services (845 tonnes CO2e)
- Employee commuting (233 tonnes CO2e)
As Honeywell Bakes has been set up with our impact on the planet in mind, a lot of actions that are usually recommended for a business of our type and size have already been actioned.
The following is a summary of the steps we have taken/are taking to reduce our planetary impact:
- Solar has been installed on site in collaboration with our landlord. We are monitoring how much of our electricity comes from the solar over a 12 month period. Any additional electricity is from a zero carbon tariff, and we do not have any other energy source.
- We have moved away from disposal items as much as possible in an effort to reduce our waste even further. For example, we use bamboo clothes for washing up and other cleaning systems where possible.
- We intentionally use eco cycles on the washing machine, and ensure we only wash full loads.
- We take care to source as much as we can locally, and to use packaging that can be composted or reused.
- We use natural lighting as much as possible
- Any appliance, including tech, is fixed before being replaced. If it cannot be repaired it is donated for parts.
- We do not waste ingredients. Any surplus is distributed between the team or shared on Olio.
- Pensions are on an ethical scheme. Did you know that pensions have a huge impact on carbon footprint, and moving to an ethical scheme is on the of the most impactful changes that can be made.
- We heat the people not the building…where appropriate of course! Being in a converted barn it is energy intensive to heat the building, so we have some cosy heated blankets to ensure the team are warm and comfortable whilst minimising energy use.
Our next steps:
Find an alternative to plastic piping bags – currently used in the packing department for securing biscuits into their packing we need to move away from the bags and are trialling different options.
Work with suppliers to reduce their carbon emissions
Encourage car sharing in the team – we are in a remote location where there is no public transport and the team work variable hours and do not live particularly near to one another. However, there are occasions where car sharing could work and we will encourage this.
If you have any questions or suggestions please do get in touch. I would love to hear from you.
Laura