The Swansea Bay Business Awards’ Post

🔴 AR News | AR Racking renews the EcoVadis Gold rating in 2024, consolidating its leadership in sustainability   🌱 EcoVadis assesses the sustainability of companies in four key areas: environment, labour practices and human rights, ethics and sustainable purchasing. The Gold medal reflects AR Racking’s effort in different initiatives   🏅 This recognition places AR Racking among the top 5% highest scoring companies of the 100,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide

A number of award wins and nominations are testament to the work going on at See Limited to help reduce not only the firm's own the carbon footprint but also of businesses throughout the supply chain. Read the full article here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eNWUbA6M #BusinessNews #Northamptonshire #Sustainability

Yes! Love it. I was recently at an event at a hatchet throwing place which all are typically byob. When the giant glass wine bottle we all drank was empty I asked the owner where the recycling was, her response, she didn’t have any trash cans for recycling! 😱 I was honestly horrified and confused as we are talking about glass and beer cans, not plastic here. Surprised to as this was in NJ and it’s 2024 that she did not have a can for these things. What to do…this is giving me the inspiration to figure out the next step as the reason why I’ve learned of late some people don’t recycle ♻️ is because they think it all ends up in a landfill. We need to change that mindset, that people are out there making a change, people like Franziska here, company’s like NJ local Terracycle that upcycle ♻️ just about anything you can think of, etc. I think people need to step 1) recycle if your town recycles, let the town tell you to stop but don’t you not do it bc you don’t have all the facts of where it goes, do your part. 2) do some digging and yes find out what happens to your recyclables and make sure they are being recycled properly. Stay involved locally and take action if your town is not doing the right thing, speak up for your community environment. I’m going to myself take my own advice, not step 1, I am an avid recycler but step 2, to make sure what I am recycling is going where I think it is and if not, find out what I can do to make sure it does.

Success relies on your mindset and your eagerness to take the first step.

**JUST GET STARTED**! To paraphrase Franziska's message: You don't need all the answers or tons of money to enact change, you just need to get started

Garbage Society 🚮: A Product of Wasteful Thinking?🤔🚯 If only in earlier years of 1900s, someone influential could have predicted and made a Nostradamus-like prognosis about the catastrophic waste pollution and global warming effect of Industrial Revolution and its ensuing modernistic evolution and somehow, did a stubborn case about it before world government and business leaders of those times, do we think a better and cleaner world that is waste-and CO2-emission-free and none at all of life-threatening #climatechange can happen? Instead, a world with well-thought out kind of progress that is people-and- nature-considerate could have emerged? Well, to say yes would just be a wishful thinking and with all probability, we will still end up battling with waste and carbon pollution and resulting global warming as it is now...why the confidence? Judging from the pages of history starting from the biblical period and subsequent times, ours are replete with witnesses accounts that people who dared to change the world with radical and out-of-this world ideas had faced great humiliation, mockery, and even death, why? Either or, it: ▪ goes against our common and ordinary thinking ▪ is Insulting to our intelligence and set of beliefs ▪is not okey to our vested interest ▪appears not making sense at all But again, same history had shown later that many of those ideas, works, or predictions did prove to be true enough but what were done can no longer be undone and we, human beings, have shown, time and again, that we are hard-headed and never learned our damn lessons. Now, do we wonder why we keep on repeating our past mistakes and failures as the familiar saying goes...history repeats itself! And btw, we also: ▪tend to act at the last minute when things reach ICU or crisis level, and ▪be back to "business-as-usual" when things normalize, aren't we? When can we really find our redemption and deliverance from this mad-racing world we are living in with recycled problems that are getting worse than getting better, no matter what amount of good intentions and actions there are but they've nvr been enough, why? If there is any business in this world worth minding all our time, effort, and everything we got, it is nothing but the "Business of Meaningful Living" w/out the "ifs and buts" of this current world of never mind! Why can't we get our acts together and make a much better world that's non-toxic and corrosive? Who's going to do it for us, if not us? Isn't it really realizable? Or this is just another of one those hopeless idealism borne out of wishful thinking or better yet, a product of - #wastefulthinking? Better start asking seriously ourselves while we still can or simply let our times pass as we normally do as if life is just a #throwaway_garbage for scavengers to depend their lives on? Our acts will determine the true fate of humanity and this planet in the years to come, to be🤗 or 😭 about? Creativity though fights toxicity👇!

We recently visited the Coca-Cola factory in Edelstal, Austria, and were extremely impressed by their approach to sustainable development. The company demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability through various initiatives, including efficient water resource management, carbon emission reduction, recycling, and the use of renewable energy sources. We were particularly impressed by their recycling technology and innovative packaging solutions that reduce the ecological footprint. Additionally, we were delighted with their approach to corporate governance and social issues. Coca-Cola HBC Austria has shown an exceptional focus on ethical practices, business transparency, and active involvement in supporting local communities. Their programs for social responsibility and collaboration with local actors further confirm their commitment not only to environmental but also to social aspects of sustainability. This visit to Edelstal allowed us to see firsthand how large corporations can play a key role in promoting sustainability and protecting the environment, while simultaneously improving the lives in the communities they operate in. Coca-Cola HBC Austria is an excellent example of how businesses can operate successfully in accordance with global sustainable development guidelines. Their success shows that such a business model always requires strong support and commitment from management. This commitment at the highest levels of management is crucial for implementing and maintaining practices that not only protect the environment but also enhance the quality of life in local communities. https://lnkd.in/dcxNMxSs

Trying something new is never easy. It involves stepping into the unknown and inevitably making mistakes. But if you don't try, you'll never learn or progress. Many small business owners we speak to say that measuring their carbon emissions is a daunting task. Their lack of knowledge becomes a big barrier to taking that first step. At Cogo, our mission is to simplify the process and empower business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to take effective action. Discover how Olivia Doonan, General Manager at Tūpari Wines, kickstarted her sustainability journey with Cogo: https://www.cogo.co/tupari

The circular economy relies on resuse, recycling and innovative business models extending product life cycles, thereby helping to conserve resources, protect the environment, and mitigate climate change. At the same time, it supports companies increasing their sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness. The topic of circular economy will take centerstage at the Circular Valley Convention taking place from 12-13 March 2025 at Areal Bohler in Dusseldorf. From the organiser of trade fairs such as K, interpack and drupa, the Circular Valley Convention is a new trade fair format organised by Messe Dusseldorf in cooperation with the non-profit Circular Valley Foundation and with scientific support from the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental Safety, and Energy Technology called UMSICHT. The Convention will look at the circular economy from a holistic perspective across industries and materials; all phases of the circular economy from smart circular design to the reuse and further utilisation of products. Read more on https://lnkd.in/gPUCC4gA

I recently had the privilege of attending an insightful event organised by our client, Vynco Industries (NZ) Ltd Industries, for their primary advisors.   Vynco, a trailblazer in New Zealand’s electrical components, lighting, and switching products industry, showcased their innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability.   During the event, Managing Director Simon Vale delivered a compelling presentation on the current economic landscape and its impact on their business. Despite the challenges, Vynco’s dedication to their sustainability journey stood out—a mission that resonates deeply with our values at BDO.   Starting with the basics, Vynco tackled packaging waste head-on, a significant step in their sustainability efforts. Simon’s presentation highlighted their impressive strides in using bioplastics and recycled materials. I liked the way that the carbon benefit was explained, eg: ·      Oyster lights: Each unit saves the equivalent CO2 weight of 10 large oranges ·      Batten lights: Each unit saves the equivalent CO2 weight of 10 kiwifruit ·      Under Veranda light fittings: Each unit saves the equivalent CO2 weight of 3 bottles of wine   The real challenge? Encouraging customers to embrace these eco-friendly products. Concerns about appearance, pricing, and the question, “Why should we change?” were met with a powerful response: “Why not lead the way and bring these innovative products to market?”   This event was a reminder that we all have a role to play in driving sustainability forward. Let’s challenge ourselves to be leaders in this journey!