Driving Down Carbon Emissions
As eco-friendly packaging suppliers, we manufacture recyclable cardboard boxes with at least 80% recycled fibre content. It’s great to sell a green product and help businesses move away from plastic packaging, yet this isn’t enough. Aylesbury Box Company are keen to minimise our environmental impact in every aspect of our operations and this includes the vehicles we drive.
An Electric Fleet for Packaging Deliveries
Our delivery drivers spend most of their time behind the wheel. They need to ensure that large industrial cartons, product packaging and printed e-commerce shipping boxes reach the customer on time and in great condition.
Delivery drivers are not the only team members out on the road. We encourage our Account Managers to build strong relationships with our clients. The more that they understand our customers’ businesses, the better able we are to offer advice on suitable packaging solutions. This means they are out and about, visiting customers, dropping off samples and assisting with stock management. It is this level of service that has ensured we retain long-standing customers.
As such, our drivers and fleet are an essential part of our operations. We can’t do without them, yet we knew that this aspect of our business was not in line with our green credentials. For this reason, we decided to switch to electric-powered vehicles.
This is a gradual process, but we are now at the point where 75% of our fleet are electric. As the majority of customers are located within 40 miles of our Buckinghamshire factory, it is viable for us to keep the vehicles charged and ready for the road.
It’s satisfying to know that by switching to electric vehicles, we are now generating considerably lower carbon emissions.
The Cycle to Work Scheme
Many of our team live in relatively close proximity to our factory, so another step we have taken is the introduction of the Cycle to Work Scheme. This is a cost-effective and tax-efficient way for our team to purchase a bike and/or cycling safety equipment.
We were delighted to see the interest in this scheme, with around a quarter of the team now regularly hopping on their bike for their commute. The traffic in Aylesbury can be horrendous, so in some cases, it is probably quicker to cycle than drive to work.
As well as reducing carbon emissions, this cycle to work initiative has proved a great way to introduce physical activity into daily routines. It’s good for us to be a fit and healthy team and means that a biscuit or two can be enjoyed without feeling guilty!
Has your business introduced the Cycle to Work Scheme? It is worth investigating and can solve issues such as limited parking.
Green Initiatives
These two initiatives are part of our wider plans to champion sustainability and environmental responsibility. We are committed to taking actions that help us to become a net-zero packaging supplier.
Whilst there are costs associated with our green initiatives, these are outweighed by the financial and environmental cost savings. Our green credentials have helped us to evidence supply chain sustainability and win new business.
