Our recent transition to 100% renewable energy at the Cartus EMEA hub in Swindon, UK, was a deliberate move to enhance the overall sustainability of our office operations.
At Cartus, sustainability is a strongly held value for our team and a focus in the way we deliver services and manage internal operations. As we mark Cartus’ 70th year of providing relocation services to our clients, we have made significant steps towards sustainability in our EMEA hub. Our passion for and commitment to sustainable practices not only help us serve as better global citizens—it also strengthens our partnerships and supports mindful resource use, all while we continue to deliver excellent relocation support.
Since taking up residence at our EMEA hub in 2023, our team has made a deliberate commitment to the ongoing pursuit of ESG excellence. With many initiatives spearheaded by our UK Facilities Lead, Helen Gamblin.
“As a facilities manager, my commitment to sustainability is not just about reducing our environmental footprint; it’s about creating a healthier, more efficient, and resilient workplace. By sourcing eco-friendly suppliers and utilities, we not only contribute to the well-being of our planet but also foster a culture of responsibility and innovation within our office. Additionally, by partnering with suppliers such as Real Living Wage local employers, we support our community’s economic growth. Sustainable choices are essential for ensuring the longevity of our resources and the prosperity of our local community and future generations, and I’m passionate about always seeking ‘a better way’.”
Helen Gamblin, UK Facilities Lead
While our hybrid operations see many employees work remotely, we’ve optimised our hub with the mindful consumption of resources and minimisation of waste.
We have implemented measures in the office to encourage all employees to recycle and reduce waste, just as they would at home, with the goal of minimizing our waste output, particularly the volume sent to landfill. All waste is separated on site to ensure all items suitable for recycling are handled adequately for appropriate collection.
Our facilities are also fully equipped with reusable crockery, cutlery, and cups, removing the need to rely on single-use items.
On the second anniversary of our EMEA hub, through negotiations with the landlord, we officially transitioned to using 100% renewable energy for the electricity consumed at the hub.
Usually, when Cartus discusses the supply chain, you might immediately think of the partners that work alongside us to provide essential support to relocating families. However, from an ESG perspective, the companies we engage to support our facilities also play a crucial role. Examples of our mindful choices in this area include:
Our team is also passionate about giving back to the communities we are a part of.
Our community champions organise events throughout the year to provide our employees, many of whom typically work remotely, with regular opportunities to connect. They often incorporate charitable elements into the festivities.
In the past year, the team has raised financial and goods donations in aid of several charities nominated by our UK employees, including the Salvation Army and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Our employees have also rolled up their sleeves and engaged in clean-up walks around the parkland surrounding our facilities.
As a business, Cartus is delighted to offering our team members the flexibility to support community and charity passions close to their own hearts, including one day of paid leave each year to support a charitable cause of their choice.
One of our team members making the most of this to pursue a project she is passionate about is Helen Pain, a member of my very own writing team! Helen lends her support to The Big Breakfast Plus, a local charity providing hot breakfast meals to individuals facing hunger in our community.
“I love volunteering for Big Breakfast Plus because it gives me an opportunity to help people, knowing that, for an hour and a half every morning, they are in a safe space. I also enjoy the social aspect of meeting new people, and you won’t find a better bunch than the Big Breakfast Plus volunteers and trustees. I love that Cartus allows me the flexibility to volunteer because it makes me seen and valued as an employee.”
– Helen Pain, Senior Corporate Writer
Our UK IT team has been instrumental in enabling one of our ESG initiatives, which has successfully supported a reduction in our environmental footprint while also bringing a positive impact to communities.
Technology assets, including phones and computer hardware, tend to have a business life somewhat shorter than the functional lifespan of well-cared-for hardware. While component recycling is plausible in the UK, our team works, wherever possible, to ensure equipment reaching the end of its business life can be reused by others.
Mobile phones are donated in partnership with the Vodaphone Foundation, who in turn provide equipment via the Great British Tech Appeal. Devices are provided to those in need, along with six months of calls and data, to support maintaining social connections, and access, to vital services which are of ever-increasing importance in today’s heavily tech-focused world.
When it comes to our laptops and computer hardware, we partner with local schools to provide them with working laptops and desktop computers for their students to use (of course, only once our IT teams have diligently purged them of all business data, per robust data management policies).
To date, our team has gifted over 200 desktop and laptop computers to local schools in our community.
For equipment where a new home is not locally available, we also donate our retired hardware to ITSA Digital Trust. Our partnership with this organisation has already seen computer equipment from Cartus support the education of school children in several locations, including Kenya, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
And here you were thinking that the sun was the only source of limitless energy around here…Our team at Cartus brings their enthusiasm and energy to every aspect of their roles, and the pursuit of ESG excellence is one of them.
Our team, working from our home in Swindon, will continue to seek opportunities to strengthen our sustainability performance, as well as partner with our global teams to share best practices and engage in ways that bring a positive impact relevant to our teams worldwide.
We also have more exciting news to share as we continue to work with our clients and partners, delivering support to relocating employees globally, but that’s another story, for another time.
Stay tuned for more ESG updates from Cartus!
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