Wiles Greenworld
The proof is in the standard
Organisation:
Wiles Greenworld
Certificate Boundary:
All UK operations
The Carbon Trust
Standard reinforces our
company values by showing
our customers and prospects
that energy efficiency is a
central part of our business
practices – as well as the
products we sell.
Toby Robins
Sustainable Development Director, Wiles
Greenworld
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Introduction
Since the merger between Wiles Group Ltd and
Green World Supplies Ltd in 2006, the company
has embarked on a number of carbon savings
measures, with considerable effect. To validate
the success of its continuous efforts to measure,
manage and reduce its carbon emissions, Wiles
Greenworld put a lot of work into achieving
certification with the Carbon Trust Standard.
As an office supplies company promoting
products less harmful for the environment,
it trades on its commitment to sustainable
practices. In recognition of the growing trend
of ‘greenwashing’ (promoting a misleading
perception of being environmentally friendly), it
needed a public guarantee that its environmental
credentials were genuine and robust. This led
the company to take advantage of the UK’s first
online assessment and certification service
for small businesses from the Carbon Trust
Standard Company. In September 2010 it piloted
the tool and was one of the first UK companies
to achieve certification with the Carbon Trust
Standard through the online assessment service.
“I think the important thing about the
Standard is that it is for all companies,
regardless where they are along the green
path. We each have a moral, as well as
business imperative to tackle climate
change head on and make a real and lasting
difference.”
Toby Robins, Sustainable Development Director, Wiles Greenworld
The business case
Wiles Greenworld has seen an escalating
appetite for sustainable goods. It increased its
sales by 7% even while industry benchmarks
were down by 20%. However, to protect further
growth it needed independent verification from
a credible body to vouch for its actions and
achievements in cutting carbon.
“As an independent certification, the Carbon
Trust Standard validates our sustainability
claims and proves that we are genuinely
committed to addressing our environmental
impact. It provides both a focus and
recognition for our efforts.”
Toby Robins, Sustainable Development
Director, Wiles Greenworld
Wiles Greenworld regards sustainability
initiatives as opportunities to increase the
company’s competitiveness. News of achieving
the Carbon Trust Standard played a prominent
role in the company’s marketing strategy and
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was communicated to all its existing customers,
suppliers and prospects.
“Milestones such as achieving the Standard
are gold dust from a sales perspective. As
more enlightened companies take action on
carbon, it goes without saying that they’ll
want to be associated with like mindedorganisations.”
Toby Robins, Sustainable Development
Director, Wiles Greenworld
The benefit of this mentality is reflected in its
sales figures, which are bucking the trend in this
difficult economic climate. It has also received
fresh enquiries to meet environmental managers
with a view to working together to manage
combined footprints.
Investing in sustainability has also helped the
company save money and pass these cost
savings onto its customers. The company
favours local sourcing and delivers its products
using alternative fuel, which is a much more
economical option than shipping goods from
abroad. By running a leaner operation, Wiles
Greenworld has challenged the perception that
sustainable goods are more expensive than its
competitors.
Working towards the Carbon Trust Standard,
along with other sustainability measures
has had a positive affect on staff morale.
Wiles Greenworld enjoys an enviable staff
retention rate, which Robins partly attributes to
employees’ appreciation that they’re working for
an ethical company.
Wiles Greenworld
The assessment process
In Wiles Greenworld’s case the process was
very quick, with just a few hours spent inputting
data to the online assessment forms.
Wiles Greenworld had already invested in
sustainable practices over the years and
implemented a footprint tracking system
to generate reports on the company’s
environmental performance. Procedures were
also in place to ensure that recording and
monitoring practices were consistent.
“While the Standard requires a level of rigour,
which attracted us to the certification in
the first place, we had already trail blazed
accurate reporting and measurement.”
Toby Robins, Sustainable Development
Director, Wiles Greenworld
telephone systems to permit remote
working
Ongoing
•
•
Achieved
•
Using low-consumption LED, T5 and sensor
lighting
•
Introducing panels and windows to brighten
up the office and reduce reliance on artificial
light sources
•
Upgrading heating controls, consolidating
office equipment, investing in computer
systems to reduce paper, increasing
electronic trading and modernising
witching 70% of the distribution fleet
S
to Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel to
contribute to improving air quality and
minimising environmental impact
Training
•
Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED)
training attended by all drivers
•
Monthly departmental meetings used
to provide training for all departments
on a breadth of environmental subjects
and issues, in addition to reviewing and
screening numerous books and video
resources
•
Comprehensive induction and training
programmes for all staff on how their
actions can help reduce the company’s
footprint, led by the Sustainable
Development Director
Actions taken
Wiles Greenwood has established a number
of environmentally conscious measures, which
include the following:
Investigating the opportunities surrounding
the installation of air source heat pumps
and photovoltaic (PV) panels to use more
renewable energy
Customer support
Wiles Greenworld has also taken a holistic
approach to managing its environmental impact
which involves working not only with staff
but also with suppliers and customers. This
includes providing environmental auditing and
accreditation assistance to customers looking
to make the transition into a green company
and a complimentary recycling scheme for its
customers.
Future plans
Given its commitment to a continual reduction
of its environmental impact, Wiles Greenworld
is also planning to make further technological
investment in its recycling service . It will
continue to monitor and manage its emissions
as part of a structured, planned environmental
management system which identifies
opportunities and priorities. Its Photovoltaics
system (converting solar radiation into direct
current electricity) is nearing the implementation
phase and other innovations are open for
consideration. It also plans to reapply for the
Standard in two years time. Recertification
is only awarded to companies that can
demonstrate an ongoing capacity to keep
reducing their carbon footprint.
“Rather than resting on our laurels, everyone
is excited about how they can make a
difference. This is by no means the end of
journey, quite the opposite in fact.”
Toby Robins, Sustainable Development
Director, Wiles Greenworld
Further help?
Find out more about the benefits
of being a Standard Bearer at:
www.carbontruststandard.com
Whilst reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the information contained within this case
study is correct, the Carbon Trust Standard Company, the Carbon Trust, its agents, contractors and
sub-contractors and the Government give no warranty and make no representation as to its accuracy
and accept no liability for any errors or omissions. Nothing in this case study is intended to be or
should be interpreted as an endorsement of, or recommendation for, any supplier, service or product.
Any trademarks, servicemarks or logos used in this case study are the property of the
Carbon Trust and copyright is licensed to the Carbon Trust. Nothing in this case study shall be
construed as granting any licence or right to use or reproduce any of the trademarks, service
marks, logos, copyright or any proprietary information in any way without the Carbon Trust’s
prior written permission. The Carbon Trust enforces infringements of its intellectual property rights
to the full extent permitted by law.
The Carbon Trust Standard Company Ltd is a subsidiary of Carbon Trust Enterprises Limited, which
is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of the Carbon Trust. The Carbon Trust Standard Company Ltd
is registered in England and Wales under company number 06547658, at 6th Floor, 5 New Street
Square, London, EC4A 3BF. The Carbon Trust is funded by Government.
Published in the UK: January 2011.
© The Carbon Trust Standard Company (January 2011). All rights reserved.
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Or call:
0800 019 1443