Sustainability
Our commitment to sustainability
As a large company operating internationally, Britannia Movers are acutely aware that our business practices should fully reflect our values and ethics. Our decisions can positively impact our people, the communities around us, and the planet, and we take that seriously. Whilst we feel it is important to celebrate our sustainability achievements and goals, this always comes with a promise that we will not ‘greenwash’ or make unjustified claims.
Britannia Movers’ impact on the environment
As well as providing our customers with a vital service delivered by our staff, we are also transport operators, and this is a sector where new technologies are not yet advanced enough for us to be fully carbon-neutral. However, we have already made some big strides forwards:
- Our moving boxes are made from 78% recycled paper. The remaining 22% is virgin paper which comes from sustainable forestry (this is required to give the boxes the necessary strength).
- We have developed a proprietary video survey app. This has massively reduced the number of in-person surveys we carry out and consequently reduced our vehicle emissions.
- With the financial support of Britannia Movers, our Member companies have built up one of the newest and cleanest fleets of HGV vehicles in our industry sector. Our transition to Euro 6, ULEZ-compliant engines is well advanced.
- We offer Britannia customers a free collection of their moving boxes, which are then checked and reused where possible. However, in order to control emissions we can only offer this when a vehicle is scheduled to be in the right area.
- We are gradually transitioning across to paperless offices, improving our efficiency and saving the paper, ink and electricity used for printing.
- Our central office and several of our Member depots have installed electric charging points. This is helping them to convert to electric vehicles (EVs) for their surveyors, and is also encouraging staff to swap to cleaner EVs as well.
Our Next Goals
The Challenges
Remove plastic completely from the packaging materials we use
The products currently available either do not perform adequately (e.g. paper tape dries out in long storage) or the costs are prohibitive.
Transition to non-polluting vehicles
The charging / refuelling infrastructure in the UK is not yet adequate for us to consider this, as we run unpredictable vehicle movements. However, some Members are trialing cleaner fuels such as HVO.
Install solar panels on more depots
This requires significant capital investment, and some of our Member depots are leased, not owned which complicates things.
Move to 100% renewable energy suppliers
Many Member branches are tied in to long contracts with existing energy suppliers, which will change over time.
Gain ISO 14001
We hope to add this internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems to our roster of certifications very soon.
Britannia Movers’ impact on our people
As a cooperative organization, we do not control our Member companies; instead we try to lead by example and encourage industry-leading practices in all fields. We know that our staff are our biggest asset, and we want to ensure that everyone feels valued and properly rewarded for their work at Britannia. Transportation is typically a sector where operatives are poorly paid, but at Britannia we aim to provide all staff with stable, contracted roles at a rate of pay which allows them to cover all reasonable living expenses. When it comes to our people:
- Our Central Office and many of our Member companies are now Real Living Wage accredited, with more Britannia Members joining this campaign each year.
- We champion continuous training and development for staff at all levels, which gives our team members the right skills for every job, and ensures our customers receive superb service.
- We develop our people and recruit from within wherever we can, offering a clear career path and opportunities for promotion and development.
- We embrace diversity and try to foster working environments that are characterized by respect and kindness. We believe that every individual should be able to work free from the fear of discrimination and bullying.
- We regularly share detailed advice and support on a range of topics as part of our company mental wellness campaigns.
- We are also mindful of our supply chain and have taken steps to ensure that none of the products we regularly purchase (such as uniforms and packaging) are produced using underage or poorly paid labour.
Our Next Goals
The Challenges
Improve rest facilities for truck drivers across the UK
This is an issue that needs to be tackled by the government, so for now the best we can do is support the British Association of Removers to lobby the relevant departments.
Improve employees’ access to professional mental health support when needed
This will be organized on a company by company basis as and when their own business priorities allow.
Britannia Movers’ impact on the communities we work in
As well as providing stable employment, we try to give back to the communities we serve on a regular basis. Sometimes this takes the form of sponsoring nearby sports clubs or supporting local charities. At other times it takes the form of providing labour or equipment for community events. Many of our Member depots have been established for many, many years, and the locals know they can come to us when they need a hand with a project. Whilst we serve our customers first and foremost, we also do what we can to support worthy causes. In the last few years, some of our notable charity and community work has included:
- Sponsoring local school fairs and fetes
- Providing emergency removals and storage during major flooding events
- Using our trucks as stages at local festivals and fairs
- Sponsoring community sports teams including a youth football team
- Supporting organisations such as the Scouts with transport and storage services
- Sponsoring campaigns in local schools to prevent online bullying
- Purchasing new books for regional schools and libraries
- Taking an active role in local Rotary Clubs and business networking groups
- Taking trucks full of aid to Ukraine
- Sending donated clothes and equipment to schools in Africa
The above are just a few examples of the work Britannia Movers does to protect the environment, take care of our staff and support our communities. If you would like more information about any of the above, please contact marketing@britannia-movers.co.uk.
