Policy Update: Sustainability
At A R Manley and Son, we are acutely aware of the evolving world and the critical importance of environmental concerns. Adhering to ISO 9001 standards, we have recently reassessed our Environmental Policy, prompting a thorough consideration of our environmental impact as a business. We are committed to fully adhering to all pertinent environmental laws, regulations, and licensing conditions throughout our operations, striving to surpass these standards when feasible.
As timber is a sustainable resource due to its renewability, recyclability, and versatility, it is a preferred material in our field. Timber itself is a ‘carbon sink’; that is, it stores the carbon within the tree from which it was sawn, and embodies it in whatever form it takes. According to the World Economic Forum, where a traditional building built using traditional materials, such as concrete and steel, produces around 2,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent made with timber could ‘match this in carbon storage’ (Burrell, 2023). We pledge to source timber and timber-related products exclusively from suppliers who adhere to the UK Timber Regulations (UKTR), which forbid the sale of illegally harvested timber and products derived from such timber.
In 2014, we installed a biomass heating system which enables us to use our own wood waste to heat the workshops in winter. Biomass is a brilliant energy source for the construction industry and other sectors that produce a lot of waste that can be used as fuel, which diverts waste away from landfill.
Our updated Environmental Policy is available for review on the Downloads page of our website.
A common misconception is that activities relating to and resulting in construction and the built environment must always be having a negative impact on the planet. Although this may have once been more true than false, the industry has made significant efforts and advances in recent years to be more environmentally conscious, and sometimes even use these undertakings to leave a lasting, positive impact on the planet.
Recognising that there is always potential for improvement, we are dedicated to collaborating with our suppliers and subcontractors to elevate their environmental practices, with the expectation that this will reciprocally aid in our own improvement. Our dedication to our planet's welfare is a source of immense pride for us.
Burrell, S. (2023) Why sustainable timber must become a core building material World Economic Forum. Available at: www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/sustainable-timber-core-building-material (Accessed: 20 June 2024)