Five ways to become a more sustainable business in 2023

Recent reports show that a record-breaking 40% of the UK's energy came from renewable sources in 2022. 

However, energy production and use still significantly impact the environment, and sustainability will continue to be crucial for electrotechnical businesses to master in 2023.

By implementing sustainable practices such as tree planting commitments, solar panels, and energy-efficient machinery, reduction in car travel, increase in rail travel, and so on, businesses can support the environment whilst staying competitive, meeting their client's requirements while maintaining their bottom line. 

In today's Expert Comment, Dominic Michaelson, Head of Sales and Major Projects at ECA Commercial Associate Silver Fox, outlines some of the ways they have reduced their environmental impact, making them a sustainable (and a time-saving) labelling supply option for Electrical Contractors across the UK and the world.  

The Importance of Environmental Sustainability

Silver Fox, a leading cable and equipment labelling manufacturer, is committed to contributing to the global efforts towards reducing our climate impact. Their initiatives have meant that in 2018, Silver Fox became Carbon Neutral. Then, in 2020, became the first, and potentially only, SME manufacturing company in Hertfordshire, UK, to become Carbon Negative.

Maintaining natural resources (air, land, water, wildlife, plants, etc.) and protecting global ecosystems have become increasingly important. As the population grows, the long-term consequences of vehicle emissions, manufacturing goods, and many other harmful actions, are beginning to show. To sustain the quality of life for many generations to come, we must make responsible decisions to minimise the damage to the planet.

Types of Environmental Issues

Climate Change – Climate change is the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The leading cause of climate change is greenhouse gases. The effects of climate change are catastrophic; it's the cause of the melting of glaciers and the resulting rising sea levels changes in seasons, extreme weather occurrences, epidemics, etc.

Water Pollution – Water pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into rivers, oceans, lakes, and ponds. Apart from the possible damaging and toxic pollutants, polluted water lacks oxygen, causing organisms to die. 

Air Pollution – Air pollution results from emissions and fossil fuels contaminating the air. Air pollution is harmful to all forms of life, including human beings; there is an increased risk of life-threatening medical conditions, asthma, and lung cancer in particular.

Silver Fox's Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

Tree Planting – They assess annual energy usage from a number of different factors and arrange for tree planting to support that, utilising platforms such as Carbon Footprint, Ecosia, and Review Forest.

Solar Panels – In 2012, Silver Fox, installed solar panels on their factory roof, with the help of fellow ECA member J Brand. Generating electricity from solar energy means the company uses less fossil fuel, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment. In just 10 years, by the end of 2022, Silver Fox panels have generated in excess of 40,000 KW.  

Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) Labels – Silver Fox offers LSZH Tie-on (Fox-Flo®) and Legend ™ heat shrink labels. LSZH labels are used across a wide spread of sectors and are often required for indoor/underground projects which may have a limited airflow. There is a common misconception that Zero Halogen and Low Smoke Zero Halogen, are the same things. They are not. Low Smoke, Zero Halogen labels not only have zero halogens but ALSO have extremely low levels of smoke emissions in the event of a fire. 

Energy efficient appliances – They installed energy efficient boilers across their facility, LED lighting throughout, improved building insulation, double glazing and/or secondary glazing, and so on.  

Plastic waste -  For their thermal range of labels all the boxes and supporting roll holders, are made from recyclable and biodegradable cards.  

A few years ago a new rollback feature was also introduced to the Silver Fox thermal solution (Fox-in-a-Box®).  This (unique) rollback feature means that after the first print run that includes – initialisation, subsequent print runs roll out and then roll back the label roll meaning zero waste. This also saves the contractor money.

Dominic Michaelson comments “Our environmental and responsibility ethos runs all through the business and is continually being evolved and improved as our awareness increases. 2023 will mean an even deeper review of our footprint on the planet, and how we can reduce it."

To find out more information on Silver Fox's CSR, please visit: https://silverfox.co.uk/about/corporate-social-responsibility/#