Sandtoft makes ‘Green Resolution’ for 2007

A leading roof tile manufacturer, Sandtoft Roof Tiles is hoping to inspire the construction industry to action in 2007 by issuing a unique ‘Green Resolution’ to its customers, suppliers and contemporaries this January.

Although resolutions may be commonplace at this time of year, Sandtoft’s clear determination to actively reduce its impact on the environment is anything but ordinary; and the company hopes that its innovative action plan will motivate others to reduce their carbon emissions.

Simon Oldridge, Managing Director at Sandtoft commented: “2006 will be seen as the year of public enlightenment on the link between burning fossil fuels and global warming. At Sandtoft, we hope that 2007 will see awareness turn to action, as individuals and businesses begin to change their practices and introduce initiatives that will help to combat global warming.”

“Our ‘Green Resolution’ highlights the measures Sandtoft will take in the year ahead to actively reduce our carbon emissions, outlining our commitment to becoming a greener business for the benefit of future generations.” he added.

Sandtoft has always been an environmentally conscious business, already incorporating a range of eco-friendly features in its production processes, including the restoration of natural clay pits as wetland habitats.

However, the coming year will see the company take its green policies to the next level – investing in company-wide initiatives and processes that focus on reducing Sandtoft’s carbon footprint. Simon Oldridge continued: “Applying an environmental gloss to existing operations leaves companies open to justifiable accusations of ‘greenwashing’. At Sandtoft, we believe that actions speak louder than words; and so it is the new initiatives on which we now embark that we wish to be measured.”

Sandtoft’s green campaign has already gathered momentum, having made the landmark decision to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity for its entire operation late last year. The change required a financial investment from Sandtoft – moving to renewable sources meant a 5 percent increase in electricity bills – and the company has pledged that none of this cost will be passed on to the customer. Highlighting the impact on Sandtoft’s annual carbon emissions, Simon Oldridge believes the true value of the change far outweighs any financial cost: “As a nation, kicking our fossil fuels habit will be expensive, but the costs of failure to act could be immeasurably higher. We may have added to our electricity bills by switching to renewable sources such as wind farms and hydro-electric plants, but this change alone will reduce our annual CO2 emissions by 25 percent.” he explained.

The move signalled the start of a series of significant actions highlighted in the Green Resolution, including Sandtoft’s innovative plans to convert its fleet of vehicles to 100 percent bio-diesel, rather than the more readily available 5 percent bio-diesel blend. Other resolutions include the pledge to actively promote integrated solar-energy solutions alongside renewable energy partner solarcentury, and to become a zero landfill business by 2008.

Simon Oldridge added: “Achieving the objectives we have set out in the Green Resolution will not be easy, involving significant investment and the breaking down of many barriers – but we believe that this is the right course of action for Sandtoft. Securing a greener future is not an unachievable goal, it is one that should inspire us all.”

For more information, visit sandtoft.co.uk.