Tell us about the Selectaglaze Net Zero Plan.
Our plan is made of three key pillars: net zero operations, net zero products and net zero society.
Net zero operations means reducing energy use and converting to sustainable sources. We aim to reduce waste and reuse or recycle wherever possible. And we make informed procurement decisions for equipment and services.
Net zero products requires quality secondary units designed and built to provide exceptional performance and longevity. At the same time, our goal is to reduce the carbon of the materials used through recycled content and considered procurement.
Net zero society involves actively supporting the Retro First movement to retain embodied carbon in the built environment. We provide considered advice so building owners and users can make informed decisions about their own impact. And we’re keen to collaborate with other businesses so that we can learn from each other.
How successful has that been so far?
Since 2019 we have removed over 100 tons of CO2e from our operation. We generate 85 Mwh pa from PV fitted to our factory roof. We have electrified our car fleet, fitted LED lighting and controls throughout, improved insulations and heating controls. We have reduced, segregated and recycled waste and now send zero waste to landfill.
"Our products are more than 99% recyclable, with an increased overall recycled content of 43%."
How did you achieve this figure?
Well, we increased the amount of recycled content in our aluminium by working with our suppliers Hydro UK. And we’ve reduced our carbon aluminium to 6kg CO2e per 1 Kg aluminium compared to 16.7 Kg CO2e per 1 Kg aluminium global average.
What about measuring Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?
Since 2019 in line with the Planet Mark requirements, we have been measuring Scope 1, 2 and a small selection of scope 3 emissions,
"this year we have completed a full assessment of scope 3."
As a manufacturer, with a wide product range, this is no mean feat. Initially this has been achieved with a mixed approach, large volume materials are measured by volume and the small volume components and services by spend. Over time this will be refined to get an ever more accurate measure. Having a full scope measurement paves the way for Product Life Cycle Assessments.
Finally, which is the most sustainable Selectaglaze product?
It’s the one which is designed and specified correctly for the application and provides a serviceable solution for as many years as possible. We see no reason why our products would not provide a serviceable life in excess of 50 years and we regularly see our installed products still in regular use approaching that time with no perceivable degradation.
It is fair to say that products with less material content will have a lower carbon content that those with more. But if the product fails in service and has to be replaced then the overall impact is greater.
"One point that should be made is that specifying low-E glass is a no brainer. The cost in terms of money and carbon are, in our opinion, far outweighed by the benefits."
At the end of the day, we care as much about improving our customers’ sustainability as we do our own – after all, we’ve all got the same end in sight.
And that’s Net Zero by 2050.
