Understanding Our Carbon Footprint:
Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions
To truly make a "serious impact" through sustainability, it's crucial to understand our own environmental footprint. This involves meticulously tracking our carbon emissions, categorised according to the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol into three 'scopes':
- Scope 1: Direct Emissions These are the emissions that come directly from sources we own or control. For our company, given we operate from one location with an on-site warehouse, this primarily includes:
- Fuel consumed by our company vehicles: Any delivery vans or other vehicles we own and operate to transport products or for business travel.
- On-site heating: Emissions from burning fuels for heating our office and warehouse facilities. Our offices and warehouse are already supplied a percentage of renewable energy (Solar) and we aim to increase this where feasibly possible.
- Scope 2: Indirect Emissions from Purchased Energy These emissions are generated by the production of the energy we purchase and consume. For Purozo, this largely relates to:
- Electricity consumption: The emissions produced at the power station to generate the electricity we use for lighting, powering equipment in our warehouse, office appliances, and any other electrical needs external to the supply via renewable energy sources.
- Scope 3: Other Indirect Emissions (Value Chain) This is often the largest and most complex category, encompassing all other indirect emissions that occur in our company's value chain, both upstream (from our suppliers) and downstream (related to our customers and product end-of-life). While challenging to quantify precisely for a business of our size, we are committed to understanding and influencing these areas, including:
- Purchased goods and services: The emissions associated with the extraction, production, and manufacturing of all the cleaning products, packaging materials, and office supplies we purchase from our suppliers. This is a significant area for us, given our focus on sustainable products.
- Upstream transportation and distribution: Emissions from transporting raw materials to our suppliers' manufacturing sites, and then the delivery of finished products from our suppliers to our UK warehouse.
- Waste generated in operations: Emissions from the disposal and treatment of waste from our warehouse and office.
- Downstream transportation and distribution: Emissions from delivering products from our warehouse to our customers. While we manage our own deliveries for local clients, this also includes emissions from third-party couriers for wider distribution.
- Use of sold products: Emissions that occur when our customers use the cleaning products we supply (e.g. the emissions from specific cleaning chemicals during application).
End-of-life treatment of sold products: Emissions from the disposal or recycling of our products and their packaging once our customers have finished using them.
Our Approach to Scope 1, 2 & 3
As a family business, we take a pragmatic yet ambitious approach to managing our emissions. While formal, mandatory reporting under schemes like Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) primarily applies to larger UK businesses, we recognise the importance of understanding and reducing our footprint regardless.
Our strategy involves:
- Prioritising actionable reductions: We will focus our initial efforts on areas where we have direct control (Scope 1 and 2) and significant influence within our supply chain (key aspects of Scope 3).
- Collaborating with suppliers: We actively engage with our suppliers to encourage their own sustainability efforts and seek products with lower embedded emissions (Scope 3).
- Empowering our customers: By providing sustainable product options, we empower our customers to reduce their own Scope 3 emissions related to the use and disposal of the products they purchase from us.
- Continuous learning and improvement: The landscape of carbon accounting and sustainable practices is always evolving. We are committed to staying informed and adapting our strategies to incorporate the latest advancements and best practices in emissions reduction.
By systematically addressing our emissions across all three scopes, we aim to not only minimise our environmental impact but also drive positive change throughout the cleaning product supply chain, both here in the UK and beyond.
Encourage customers to make the right decisions on delivery , what makes sense , ensuring our delivery methods and our own van routes offer the lowest carbon emissions we can
Our Commitment to Transparency: Understanding and Reducing Our Scope 3 Carbon Emissions
At Purozo, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As a family-run business founded on sustainable values , we are dedicated to making a positive impact, not just through the eco-friendly products we offer, but also by addressing the environmental footprint of our entire value chain. This document outlines our approach to Scope 3 carbon emissions – the indirect emissions that occur both upstream and downstream of our direct operations.
What are Scope 3 Carbon Emissions?
While Scope 1 emissions are those directly from our owned or controlled sources (like our delivery vans and heating), and Scope 2 emissions come from the electricity we purchase, Scope 3 emissions represent the vast majority of our overall carbon footprint. These are all the other indirect emissions that are a consequence of our business activities but occur from sources not owned or controlled by us. Think of them as the emissions embedded within our supply chain and the lifecycle of the products we sell.
Understanding and addressing Scope 3 emissions is crucial because they often represent the largest portion of a company's total greenhouse gas footprint. By focusing on these, we can drive significant change and promote sustainability beyond our immediate operations.
Our Key Scope 3 Emission Categories
For Purozo , the most relevant Scope 3 categories include:
- Purchased Goods and Services: Emissions generated during the extraction, production, and manufacturing of all the cleaning products, packaging, and business supplies we purchase from our extensive network of suppliers.
- Upstream Transportation and Distribution: Emissions from the transportation of raw materials to our suppliers' factories, and the subsequent delivery of finished products from our suppliers to our UK warehouse.
- Waste Generated in Operations: Emissions associated with the disposal and treatment of waste produced from our office and warehouse activities.
- Downstream Transportation and Distribution: Emissions generated when products are delivered from our warehouse to our customers, including both our own local deliveries and those handled by third-party logistics partners for wider distribution.
- Use of Sold Products: Emissions that occur when our customers use the cleaning products we supply (e.g., energy consumed for hot water in cleaning, or emissions from product application).
End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products: Emissions related to the disposal or recycling of our products and their packaging after they have been used by our customers.
Our Approach to Measuring & Reporting Scope 3
As an SME, precisely quantifying every aspect of Scope 3 emissions can be complex. However, we are committed to a pragmatic and progressive approach:
- Initial Baseline & Estimation: We are actively working to establish an initial baseline for our key Scope 3 categories. This involves gathering data from our direct suppliers, analysing our purchasing patterns, and using industry-standard emission factors where specific data is not yet available. We leverage available tools and guidance to make informed estimations.
- Supplier Engagement: We are proactively engaging with our key suppliers to understand their sustainability commitments and to gather more granular data on the environmental impact of the products we source. This collaboration is vital for reducing emissions embedded in our purchased goods.
- Internal Data Analysis: We continuously analyse our own operational data (e.g., waste volumes, distribution routes) to identify hotspots and opportunities for reduction within our sphere of influence.
- Continuous Improvement: We recognise that Scope 3 reporting is an evolving field. We are committed to refining our data collection methods, improving the accuracy of our calculations, and expanding the scope of our reporting as our capabilities and available data improve.
How We're Working to Reduce Our Scope 3 Emissions
Our efforts to minimise our Scope 3 footprint are integrated into our core business strategy:
- Sustainable Product Sourcing: Our deep focus on providing sustainable products means we prioritise suppliers who offer eco-friendly formulations, concentrated solutions, and innovative, reduced-packaging options. This directly lowers the embedded emissions of the products you purchase.
- Optimised Logistics: Through intelligent route planning for our own vans and strategic partnerships with efficient third-party couriers, we strive to minimise transportation emissions (Downstream Transportation and Distribution).
Promoting Product Efficiency: We advocate for the use of on demand systems such as Tersano SAO, concentrated products such as Greenspeed Probio and Trebio and refillable systems such as our pod in a pouch range, which can reduce the environmental impact during product use and end-of-life phases.
How Our Customers Can Help
Your decisions as a customer have a direct impact on our collective Scope 3 emissions. By partnering with us, you can contribute significantly to a greener supply chain:
- Choose Sustainable Products: Opt for our ranges such as Tersano , Pod in a Pouch and Greenspeed, those with eco-certifications, or products designed for refill and reuse. These choices directly reduce emissions associated with manufacturing, packaging, and end-of-life.
- Consolidate Your Orders: Where possible, combine your cleaning product orders to reduce the number of separate deliveries required. This helps us optimise our routes and minimise transportation emissions.
- Utilise Flexible Delivery Options: If your operational needs allow, selecting flexible delivery windows can assist us in grouping deliveries more efficiently, further reducing the carbon intensity of our logistics.
- Responsible Product Use & Disposal: Following recommended dilution ratios for concentrates, using products efficiently, and ensuring proper recycling or disposal of packaging greatly contributes to reducing emissions in the "Use of Sold Products" and "End-of-Life Treatment" categories.
Together, by understanding and addressing our collective impact across the value chain, we can truly make a meaningful difference for our planet.
Making the Right Decisions: Our Commitment to Sustainable Deliveries
At Purozo we believe that sustainability extends beyond the products we supply and incorporates a collaborative effort between ourselves and our customers ; it's also about how those products reach your door. We are deeply committed to ensuring our delivery methods and our own van routes offer the lowest possible carbon emissions, and we invite our customers to join us in making conscious choices that benefit the environment.
How We're Optimising Our Deliveries:
- Intelligent Route Planning: Our dedicated team uses advanced route optimisation software to plan the most efficient routes for our delivery vans. This isn't just about finding the shortest distance; it considers factors like traffic patterns, road conditions, delivery windows, and vehicle capacity to minimise fuel consumption and unnecessary mileage across the UK.
- Consolidating Deliveries: Where possible, we actively consolidate orders, grouping multiple deliveries for customers in the same geographical area. This means fewer journeys overall, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and significantly cutting down on emissions.
- Optimising Van Utilisation: We strive to ensure our vans are packed efficiently and to their maximum capacity. Every item that can be delivered in a single, well-planned trip means fewer trips needed and a reduced carbon footprint for each delivery.
- Exploring Greener Fleet Options: While we currently operate a fleet of modern, fuel-efficient vans, we are continuously monitoring advancements in electric and alternative fuel vehicle technology , understanding that just the word ‘electric’ vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean more sustainable and the entire scope must be understood. As these solutions become more viable and cost-effective for our operations, we are committed to integrating them into our fleet to further reduce our Scope 1 emissions.
How You Can Help Make a Difference:
Your choices as a customer play a vital role in our collective sustainability efforts. By making informed decisions about your deliveries, you can help us achieve our goals and reduce the environmental impact of your cleaning product supply chain:
- Consider Consolidated Orders: If you have multiple orders or are planning future purchases, consider placing them together. This allows us to group your deliveries more efficiently and reduce the number of separate journeys required.
- Flexible Delivery Windows: If your schedule allows, opting for more flexible delivery windows can give us greater scope to consolidate your order with others in your area, optimising our routes and reducing our mileage.
- Minimise Returns (Where Applicable): While we understand that returns are sometimes necessary, minimising unnecessary returns helps to reduce reverse logistics, which also contributes to transport emissions.
- Engage with Our Sustainability Information: We encourage you to learn more about our sustainable product range and how they contribute to a greener operation. Every choice of a sustainable product helps us drive demand for more eco-friendly manufacturing and practices upstream.
By working together, we can ensure that every delivery from Purozo is as efficient and environmentally responsible as possible, contributing to a cleaner, healthier future for all.
Our People & Practices: A Safe, Respectful, and Ethical Workplace
At Purozo, our greatest asset is our people. As a family business, we are committed to fostering a workplace that is not only productive and efficient but also safe, respectful, and ethical for every individual. Our HR policies and practices are designed to ensure the well-being of our team, uphold human rights, and maintain the highest standards of operational safety.
Modern Slavery Statement
Purozo has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.
As a cleaning products supply company based in the UK, we understand our responsibilities under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. While we are currently below the threshold for mandatory reporting, we believe it is our moral and ethical duty to address this critical issue proactively.
Our commitments include:
- Ethical Sourcing: We endeavour to work with suppliers who share our values and commitment to ethical labour practices. We conduct due diligence on our direct suppliers to identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery in our supply chain.
- Employee Awareness: We ensure our employees are aware of the risks of modern slavery and how to report any concerns.
- Robust Policies: Our internal policies reflect our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.
- Transparency: We will continue to review and update our practices as our business grows, ensuring transparency in our efforts to combat modern slavery.
Any concerns regarding modern slavery or human trafficking should be reported immediately to info@purozo.co.uk or by calling our Head office on 01594546250
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Purozo is dedicated to providing a workplace free from sexual harassment and any other form of harassment or discrimination. We believe that all employees have the right to work in an environment where they feel respected, valued, and safe. Sexual harassment is unlawful, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated.
Our policy on sexual harassment includes:
- Clear Definition: We provide a clear definition of what constitutes sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.
- Zero Tolerance: Any reported incidents of sexual harassment will be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and dealt with in a fair, confidential, and impartial manner. Disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, will be taken against anyone found to have engaged in sexual harassment.
- Reporting Procedures: We have clear and accessible procedures for reporting incidents of sexual harassment, ensuring that victims feel safe and supported in coming forward. Employees can report concerns to their manager, HR, or a designated impartial contact.
- Support for Victims: We provide support to anyone who experiences sexual harassment, including access to confidential advice and assistance.
- Prevention and Training: We are committed to fostering a culture of respect through regular communication and, as appropriate, training on workplace conduct and the prevention of harassment.
All employees are encouraged to familiarise themselves with our full policy on harassment and discrimination.
Safe Handling of Products
The safety of our employees and the integrity of our products are paramount. Many of the cleaning products we supply contain chemicals that require careful handling. We are committed to ensuring all staff involved in the handling, storage, and dispatch of products are fully trained and equipped to do so safely.
Our procedures for safe product handling include:
- Comprehensive Training: All relevant employees receive thorough training on product safety data sheets (SDS), hazard identification, risk assessment, and the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE (e.g., gloves, eye protection, respiratory masks) is provided and its use is mandatory where required by product specifications or risk assessments.
- Proper Storage: Products are stored according to manufacturer guidelines, ensuring appropriate segregation of incompatible chemicals, correct ventilation, and secure containment to prevent spills or leaks.
- Spill Response Protocols: Clear procedures are in place for responding to spills, including immediate containment, proper clean-up, and waste disposal methods, to minimise risk to personnel and the environment.
- Manual Handling Training: Employees involved in lifting and moving products receive training on correct manual handling techniques to prevent injuries.
Warehouse and Forklift Operations
Our on-site warehouse is the heart of our operations, and maintaining a safe environment within it is a top priority. Forklift operations are central to our efficiency but also present significant safety considerations. We adhere to stringent safety standards and legal requirements to protect our team and ensure smooth operations.
Our commitment to safety in warehouse and forklift operations includes:
- Qualified Personnel: Only employees who hold valid, up-to-date certifications and have received specific in-house training are authorised to operate forklifts and other powered industrial trucks.
- Regular Equipment Maintenance: All forklifts and warehouse equipment undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure they are in safe working order. Defective equipment is immediately taken out of service.
- Clear Safety Zones & Signage: The warehouse is clearly marked with pedestrian walkways, forklift operating areas, and designated safe zones. Comprehensive safety signage is prominently displayed throughout the facility.
- Traffic Management Plan: We have a strict traffic management plan in place to segregate pedestrian and forklift traffic wherever possible, minimising the risk of collisions.
- Loading and Unloading Procedures: Safe procedures are established for loading and unloading vehicles, ensuring stability of loads and secure operations.
- Emergency Procedures: All warehouse staff are trained on emergency procedures, including fire safety, evacuation routes, and first aid.
- Continuous Risk Assessment: We regularly review and update our warehouse safety protocols based on ongoing risk assessments, incident reporting, and best practice guidelines to ensure a continuously safe working environment.
By upholding these principles and practices, we ensure that Purozo remains a secure, respectful, and ethical place to work, where every employee can thrive and contribute to our shared success.