The built environment is responsible for approximately 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for change within our industry. At Zentia, we are working hard to reduce our impact on the environment as much as possible and help in the journey towards a better future.
Our comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report details our ongoing efforts and ambitious targets to significantly reduce our environmental impact and support the global drive towards Net Zero by 2050.
What we have achieved so far
In our ceiling tile manufacturing process, we repurpose 1,400 tonnes of pre-consumer waste, sourced from local suppliers. That is the equivalent to the weight of approximately 12 blue whales! When newspaper production was in decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic and growing trends of online readership compared to traditional print, we reviewed our manufacturing process and now we also incorporate 200 tonnes of pre-consumer egg cartons into our ceiling tiles, the equivalent of 16 cruise ship anchors.
Our recycling initiatives extend beyond our manufacturing process. Members of our award-winning Pinnacle Partnership Scheme gain access to our off-cut recycling scheme, allowing them to return tile off-cuts to our factory in Gateshead. These off-cuts are then reintroduced into our manufacturing process to create new tiles, promoting a circular economy.
We aim to conserve as much water as possible by also recycling the water used in our manufacturing processes. In fact, we have reduced our reliance on mains water by 93%, significantly decreasing our environmental footprint. [MH1] [AP2]
Our commitment to ESG goes beyond just our environmental impact. As members of the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, we are passionate about apprenticeships and retaining core skills within our local area. This initiative helps to ensure a skilled and competent workforce for the future.
Our promises and targets
Zentia’s journey from Armstrong Ceilings to an independent UK manufacturer marks the beginning of our focused ESG efforts. By 2025, we aim for all UK-made products to be covered by single product-level Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). We predict that 91.8% of our products will be manufactured in the UK by then. To ensure accuracy and transparency, we have started measuring resource usage at the product level and are working with BRE to enhance the value of our EPDs.
We have set a target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025, supported by £4.5 million investment and various process improvement projects. Our commitment to providing transparent information about our sustainability credentials will help us gain recognition in the market.
Health and safety best practices are also integral to our operations at Zentia. We strive for zero recordable incidents across our business, reflecting our responsibility towards our people and our dedication to creating a sustainable business environment.
We are proud of the strides we have made and remain dedicated to achieving our ambitious targets, ensuring a positive impact on the environment, our community, and the industry as a whole. For more detail, see our report here.
[MH1]I think the wording here will need to be double checked
[AP2]Let me know if it needs changing