Balens will take steps to benefit the environment and future generations. We encourage our partners to do the same. It can be easy to say, but we really mean it. And we’re proving it. Let’s make this journey together.
Our 3 goals
To reduce our environmental impact, Balens is:
Reducing our carbon emissions
Through energy-efficient practices, minimising travel, and moving to renewable energy sources. We aim to achieve net zero by 2040.
Cutting waste
We’re recycling, being responsible about procurement and packaging, switching to sustainable suppliers and promotional items
Increasing efficiency
We’re conserving water, energy, and raw materials, and sourcing from sustainable suppliers
What we’re doing
Here’s how we’re working towards a healthier planet and a more sustainable future. In every case, we’ll be glad to show you how you can participate or do the same in your business:
Net Zero
We plan to reach net zero by 2040
Planting trees
We’re growing the Balens Network Forest
Less plastic
We’re cutting out single-use plastics
Cutting out paper
We’re maximising digital to save trees and water
Green procurement
We prioritise suppliers which can evidence sustainability
Supply chain
We expect our suppliers to evidence their eco credentials
Promotions and events
We always seek out the more sustainable options
Rationalising buildings
We’re reducing the impact of our portfolio of sites
Hybrid working
Flexible home/office patterns reduce our commuter footprint
Planting trees
The worlds trees are vital as they provide almost a third of the oxygen we breathe, store huge amounts of carbon, protect biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, provide food, fuel and timber, and much more besides. Yet we’ve lost a third of them since the start of the Industrial Revolution, with forests around the world continuing to be ravaged today.
This is why Balens has joined the movement to restore millions of trees by creating the Balens Network Forest. We will plant an initial 75 UK trees to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2025, with 75 global trees for every new partner going forward.
Procurement
We’re promoting responsible procurement across Balens, to reduce our combined environmental impact. This means focusing on:
- prioritising partnerships with eco-friendly suppliers
- selecting eco-friendly event venues and sustainable packaging for promotional materials and giveaways
- going digital wherever we can to reduce paper usage and its attendant environmental impacts
- providing our partners with resources and guidance on green procurement, including compliance requirements and how to obtain recognised accreditations like ISO 14001 or green procurement certification
- providing partners with a list of eco-friendly office-supplies providers, accessible via a discounted portal
To ensure accountability, we evaluate the environmental responsibility of our suppliers via a ‘supplier sustainability score’, and we measure the impact of our own green procurement initiatives. We also monitor our members’ compliance with sustainable procurement practices.
Getting involved
We can support our partners in improving their own sustainability credentials – whether you’d like to set some goals, get help with your strategy or take advantage of our procurement schemes, just give us a shout.
Email us