OPERATING SUSTAINABLY IS A NECESSITY, NOT A LUXURY

That's why we've taken deliberate steps to ensure it is self-fulfilling and progressive. From our low-emission delivery vehicles to award-winning employee engagement, sustainability infiltrates the entire business. Here you can see just a few of the measures we have taken to ensure our business is constantly meeting the standard set by our sustainability consultants. For more on Sustainability within our business, please visit our main site.

RESPONSIBLE SOURCING

Supply chain transparency and sustainability is moving up the agenda for many organisations.

But unravelling the social and environmental impact of business processes can be complex. Commercial makes it easier to source responsibly. We benchmark our suppliers and their products, so your buyers can make informed choices – quickly.

Recognised code of labour practice. Participation with ETI has given Commercial the tools to identify and mitigate acts of human violation. In addition, our involvement helps to improve our understanding of complex global supply chains and enables us to share best practice with other members.

Commercial is also a member of SEDEX, a not for profit organisation dedicated to improving business practices which offers Commercial a simple and effective way of managing ethical and environmental practices in our supply chain.

Additionally, our membership with EcoVadis compliments this transparency by assessing the corporate social responsibility and sustainable procurement of our suppliers, so our customers can feel confident in their decision making.

OPERATIONS

Our Cheltenham, London and Leeds offices each follow measures to reduce negative environmental impact of operations.

These measures vary from responsible waste management and renewable energy usage at our offices, to increased efficiency and optimisation of server room cooling. We have been a zero waste to landfill company since 2006 and are always looking at new, innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint!

VISION AND STRATEGY

Sustainable business is not about being green. It's about using business muscle to bring about positive change, in social as well as environmental matters.

Our strategic framework for sustainability, rooted in ISO14001 requirements, is used to create quantified goals across all departments, divisions and locations.

PARTNERING AND ADDED VALUE

We achieve more when we work together

Our flagship CSR Days energise, engage and empower people to drive sustainability in their own organisations. We held our first event in 2006, focussing on green issues. Since then, the scope has broadened to cover the full spectrum of environmental, ethical and social sustainability.

We currently partner with Hydrogen London, Go Ultra Low, LoCity and Supply Chain Sustainability School, have recently become a signatory for the UN Global Compact and have pledged to reduce our carbon footprint in line with Science Based target Initiative.

Strategic consultancy is available for customers looking to achieve official sustainability certifications. This means we can support you on your sustainability journey.

WASTE

We offer our Customers a whole host of recycling solutions, from implementing solutions to recycling materials on their behalf.

Our services range from single waste streams to complex waste streams such as batteries and toners. We also partner with Terracycle to recycle more complex materials such as PPE and crisp packets, IT Schools Africa to recycle old used technology and First Mile to recycle everything from cardboard to clothing hangers! We wish to help our customers on their sustainability journey and encourage a more circular use of materials.

PRODUCTS WITH PURPOSE

Products with Purpose allows our customers to turn a second-nature buying decision into a conscience-first sustainability action.

Products with Purpose, located on Sprint - our purchasing platform – helps to highlight products that are environmentally friendly, ethically produced, made with recycled material and/or is sourced from, or manufactured by, a social enterprise with a simple click of a button. In order to influence a change in buying behaviour, we had to create a case for change and – more importantly – make the change itself an easy one.

The range consists of 2,000+ items hand-picked by our in-house procurement and sustainability experts because they create a tangible positive ethical, social or environmental impact. Making it easy for our customers to make an informed ethical, environmental or socially-conscious choice was key and it’s why we always display how each product meets our criteria.

UPCOMING GOALS

At Commercial, we’ve been committed to reducing our impact on the environment for 15 years. We have always been brave and ambitious in our aims.

That’s why we have signed up with Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) and The Planet Mark to be Net Zero by 2028. Two years earlier than the STBi’s 2030 pledge!

In order to continue our progression towards Net Zero, we have adopted the following carbon reduction targets. Commercial commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions 50% minimum by 2028 from a 2018 base year, and to measure and reduce our scope 3 emissions.

POWER BI

Going above and beyond for our customers.

Commercial utilizes Power BI to harness the power of business data analytics to reduce the carbon footprint of our deliveries. Power BI data has led us to implement measures such as a minimum spend and encourage consolidation of customer orders to reduce our impact on the planet.

STAFF ENGAGEMENT

We nurture a sense of purpose and responsibility across the entire Commercial family.

Workplace behaviours are often replicated at home, creating a sustainability ripple effect. From Green Angels to Change Champions, our staff consistently deliver transformational change.