Environmental Statement | JT Atkinson

 Just The Answer for the Environment

Here at JT Atkinson we strive to be the best at what we do, serving you and the associated trades with tried and tested products from our trusted suppliers. This is all supported by our branch network, website and fleet of delivery vehicles which is operated by our knowledgeable, friendly and helpful team members.

We're acutely aware of our Carbon Footprint, generated through normal business operations, and are striving throughout the business to offset our Carbon Footprint wherever possible. But how can we possibly achieve such a monumental feat? Well we're not there yet, but we think we have Just The Answer...


 

Energy

We continually aspire to reduce our carbon emissions where ever possible and energy production, storage and consumption make up a significant part of this. We are in the process of assessing each site for it's suitability to generate sustainable electric power from the sun, using PV (photovoltaic) solar cells and from the wind via turbines. Successful sites will also be assessed for suitability for energy storage and 'sleeving'.

Lighting can also be a great drain on energy and so we aim to install efficient long life LEDs in our warehouses and offices, controlled by motion detectors where possible so we're only lighting up the spaces in use to reduce our consumption as much as possible.

Our Local Environment

Since 2020 we have proudly been working with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to help enhance the environment where we operate, tackle climate change, and promote more sustainable practices within the trades we supply. Since then, we have donated over £35,000 to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and these funds have enabled the planting of 2,000 native broadleaf trees, offsetting approximately 330 tonnes of CO2.

JT Atkinsons YDMT Donation

Every year we volunteer with the trust to plant new trees and remove and recycle plastic tree guards. In 2022 we helped to clear an estimated 4,000 plastic tree guards from the Dales. We also got involved with the Seed to Sapling campaign by donating tools and equipment and matching funds raised.

Our partnership and funding have also enabled 300 people from across our communities to connect with nature and the environment, helping to improve mental health and empower people to make small changes to tackle climate change.

We’re committed to supporting the trust to deliver its aim of tackling nature loss and increasing the woodland in the Dales where woodland cover is just over 4% - compared to the national park average of about 9%. We will support the trust to create 6,000 hectares of woodland habitat in the Yorkshire Dales National Park by 2040.

JT Atkinson YDMT

Jamie Atkinson, managing director at JT Atkinson, says: “We are delighted with our partnership and to support a local environmental charity that aligns with our business objectives to be more sustainable, give back to our communities, and to reduce our carbon footprint. This is the third year that we’ve been working with the Trust and it’s great that we can get staff involved with planting native trees, clearing plastic from our woodlands, and building germination trays.”

Directors Jamie Atkinson & Chris Gilbertson tree planting

Our partnership has created woodlands for wildlife and people to enjoy, not only helping with climate change but bringing 300 people across our local communities together to connect with nature and the environment. In the three years we have been working with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust we have achieved so much with more to come.

Recycling and Waste Management

We work closely with Go Green Ltd, a modern and innovative business leader in outsourced waste management and recycling solutions, and a number of local waste management companies to recycle and responsibly dispose of the vast majority of our General and Commercial Mixed Waste as well as our Mixed Recycling. We supplement this with a number of on site solutions and continue to look for increasingly comprehensive solutions to improve our recycling and waste management.

Next Generation Vehicles

The UK Government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, if not sooner. In line with this, here at JT Atkinson we're working to transition our limited number of company cars over to hybrid and electric alternatives. We also operate a number of HGVs essential to the supply of materials and although the future of electric builders merchants vehicles is still in the early stages of development, we continue to monitor these developments to determine how soon this becomes a realistic and sustainable alternative which we can aspire to incorporate.

Route Planning

In order to cut the carbon emissions of our delivery vehicles, we use a journey planner on our operating system, in conjunction with the Masternaut vehicle tracking system to determine the most efficient routes and continue to monitor the market for solutions which can reduce our carbon emissions.

Timber

All of our timber comes from responsibly sourced companies who can provide full chain of custody certification where necessary.

Paper

We are striving to be completely paperless by 2030. To achieve this we're researching and developing our capabilities for barcoded warehouse management systems, electronic proof of delivery technology and our website will increasingly become an account dashboard where customers can check statements and other admin usually performed on paper.

Supplier Declarations

We endeavour to work with responsible and sustainable suppliers wherever possible. Most have their own environmental statement detailing their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions which can be found on their websites.

You and Your Business

Looking for ways to reduce your carbons emissions? More information on how you can reduce your carbon emissions and offer your customers ever more sustainable solutions can be found at the Energy Saving Trust.

More Information

For more information on our environmental policies please Contact Us.