Euramax Net Zero Journey

Euramax Solutions’ Net Zero Journey gathers pace

Posted on: November 15, 2022

In 2019, the UK Government committed to the Net Zero target as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires extensive changes across the economy and a reduction in demand for energy across the economy and the drive in the construction sector is towards sustainably sourced or recycled building products.

Leading from the front is Euramax Solutions, a leading uPVC window and door manufacturer. Not content with making a positive contribution to the construction’s drive for a sustainable future in the modular sector, the company wants to make sure it does everything it can to reduce its own carbon footprint over the next 12 months.

Business Unit Director Emma Chapman explained: “Greater expectations are now being placed on businesses in all sectors, and we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to meet and explain our responsibilities when it comes to net zero and sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The journey so far…

None of Euramax Solutions waste goes to landfill and the company uses 100% renewable energy.

Thanks to solar panels on two of Euramax’s fleet of 18-tonne rigid trucks, the company saves 2.5 tonnes of co2 a year, which saves £4000 of fuels annually too.

Thanks to switching 100, 500-watt lightbulbs to 200-watt lightbulbs at a cost of £172.23 for each fitting, Euramax is also saving 30 Kilowatts every hour, which equates to £5.70/hr, using the 2022 average price of a KWH in the UK, 19p.

To put this into context, the UK government estimates that 0.233 kg of carbon is emitted per KWH, meaning that we would save roughly 6.99Kg of carbon emissions per hour had our electricity come from traditional fossil fuels.

The company has also replaced a CNC machine with a new one that now uses 50% less energy than the old one.

“Construction waste is a big contributor to sustainability problems, particularly as the ‘make, use and dispose’ approach has often been favoured in the past,” said Emma. “Having an effective waste management policy and being a zero to landfill company is crucial in helping to combat that. It’s also great to see the numbers and the stats to show how much carbon dioxide we have avoided.”

Just the start

Euramax is in the process of swapping out the rest of its 288 light fittings with 500-watt lightbulbs to 200-watt lightbulbs which should save us roughly 86.4 kilowatts per hour, roughly equating to a £16.40/hr, and at a cost of roughly £49,602.24.

“If the whole factory floor was fitted with 200W light bulbs we would save 86.4 Kilowatts per hour, roughly equating to a £16.40/hr,” said Emma. “Had we not switched to a green energy tariff, this would be saving 20.13 KgCo2/hr.”

There is no stopping there. Euramax is set to introduce recyclable packaging for all our products, looking to link up with several programmes and local initiatives, and has introduced a Carbon Reduction Analyst to the team to help accelerate its journey to net zero.

The right partner

Euramax’s plan is to grow by more than 35% in the next 12 months and Emma says that its focus on net zero will be a significant driver in achieving that goal.

“With greater expectations now being placed on businesses in all sectors, we want to make sure we are taking the right practical steps and doing everything we can to meet them.

“Our adoption of more sustainable working practices will also be crucial for our continued development, helping with operational cost savings and meeting the sustainability requirements and expectations of our customers.

“We want our customers to know that when you work with Euramax , you are using a socially responsible company with sustainability at the top of its agenda.”

“We all have a role to play, and as a company we are committed to making a positive and sustainable contribution in all areas we impact and being carbon neutral long before the government’s carbon reduction target.”

Euramax Solutions supplies to the modular, new build and holiday home markets and to national builders’ merchants.

For more information, call 01226 361 639 or visit our website here!

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