STS recognises the construction sector has a detrimental impact on the environment due to the exploitation of finite raw materials and energy intensive practices which release CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.
Although contemporary living is dependent on buildings, the company says, the planet cannot support the current level of resource depletion driven by the construction industry.
“As a manufacturer of tiling solutions, we acknowledge that when our products are produced with consideration for the environment we can contribute towards sustainable cities and communities,” the company says. As a result, STS is applying the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to its business practices. The ethos of this sustainability movement is “people, product, planet”.
Through this, it commits to measuring our social and environmental impact alongside our financial performance.
STS invests in people to improve their wellbeing and prosperity, the company says, both personally and in the communities they serve. This includes supporting communities and charities in every continent, every year. The company’s current focus is directed towards crisis relief efforts in Ukraine. It has made a charitable donation to the Rapid Relief Team, while members of the company’s workforce continue to volunteer for the charity.
It’s also committed to making its products and packaging more sustainable, together with improving its supply chain and transportation methods. The company ultimately aims to operate as a closed loop system where no material is sent to landfill.
“We believe in proactively protecting our planet and are driven by the set of actions required to reach our goal of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2050,” STS says. Some steps the company has taken to reduce its environmental impact include the installation of electric car chargers on site, the installation of carboard compactors in the warehouse, and the introduction of an electric forklift truck fleet.
The successful implementation of a sustainability initiative is reliant on uptake from all areas of the business. As a result, STS has developed a team collaboration project titled the “Green Team”. The team is formed of representatives from all areas of the business who are essential in implementing sustainability initiatives throughout the company’s operations. Members are said to be empowered through educational sessions and the opportunity to influence company operations based on their own observations.
Ultimately, buildings are long-lived, their impacts will stretch into the lives of future generations where concerns around pollution levels and resource scarcity arise. By consciously considering the environment in the company’s practices, it hopes to reduce the emissions associated with buildings and mitigate climate change effects. “We know we are not alone in this journey, and our unique position as a wholesaler with strong relationships with both suppliers and customers is key to driving change on an industry basis,” the company says. “We look forward to collaborating with our fellow industry experts and pioneering a future of change.”
www.sts-uk.com
