Our 2024 sustainability highlights!
With the launch of our new brand earlier this year came our new values – with acting sustainably being front and centre of the future of TMPR. Whilst we know we have a long way to go, we want to do all we can to drive positive change. Since joining us back in May, Jessica Hollyman, our operations coordinator, has been leading the charge as resident ‘Green Queen’, so as we prepare to wrap up 2024, we’ve chatted with her to find out more about her sustainable ventures this year.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Can you tell us about the steps you’ve taken this year to grow your knowledge around acting sustainably?
I started my sustainability journey when I joined TMPR earlier this year,, and since then I’ve been actively attending networking events around South Wales focused around building a cleaner future. I want to learn how we can play a part in making a positive contribution to the net zero agenda and reduce our environmental impact as a business.
I also enrolled in the BT Small Business Britain webinar series which taught me strategies to use when making a sustainable action plan. These included top tips that we are introducing to the business such as upgrading equipment to energy efficient alternatives, completing energy audits, and planning efficient travel when we visit clients.
Finally, we joined the SME Climate Hub this year. This sees us submit an annual report on our progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions as well as gaining access to practical resources that will help implement positive change in the business.
What have you learnt about the impact our day-to-day lives are having on the environment?
One of the biggest shocks was the impact of technology use. Digital overconsumption and electronic waste are two of the biggest factors damaging our ecosystem.
During the BT Small Business Britain webinars, I learnt that 20-50 AI chatbot queries could consume 500ml of water due to the cooling centres required to maintain the technology. This made me think about the damage advancements in technology could be having on our future.
I also discovered that a new laptop produces between 300kg-400kg of carbon dioxide, raising the question of “do we already have a functional laptop that can be used instead of buying new?”.
Though technology is having an impact on our environment, there are other factors that are contributing too. At the ‘Building a Cleaner Future’ event with South Wales Chamber of Commerce, I found that each year UK homes go through 686 million plastic soap bottles, 617 million plastic body wash bottles, and 520 million plastic shampoo bottles. Single use plastic is of growing concern and swapping to use reusable solutions can have a big impact on our environment.
Can you share three top tips that you’re introducing to TMPR to help us act sustainably?
- Reuse within the community – When we have equipment that is no longer of use, we should see if it can be used by someone in the local community. What may no longer serve us, may be of benefit to someone else. We recently gifted our old computer monitors to those in the community as well as gifting and installing our old Promethean interactive display to the National Autistic Society’s (NAS) Cardiff Autism Centre.
- Measure your carbon footprint – You can measure your carbon footprint by looking at utility bills, receipts, fuel usage, and even your property meter readings. Track what energy you are using and see if there is anywhere you can cut back.
- Staff engagement and motivation – It’s super important that the whole team is on board with our sustainability journey. In our monthly Marketing Monday meetings, I share what I’ve learnt over the past month and how we can make changes in the office to drive our journey forward.
What does 2025 have in store for you?
I’ve already booked in networking events for the new year including, SEWBCC – Sustainable Business and the CEIC programme. I hope to learn more about how TMPR as a small business can act sustainably.
We are moving offices next year (exciting!) and I see this as an opportunity to establish new foundations. We can manage and track our bills from the beginning, gaining insight into our energy usage, build a biodiversity garden in our outdoor space, and introduce a shower in the building so that the team can cycle to work, minimising their personal carbon footprints!
Thank you to Jessica for sharing your sustainability journey so far with us! We have learnt so much about acting sustainably this year and will continue to grow as we enter 2025. Alongside making B2B marketing miracles happen, of course!
