The built environment is responsible for approximately 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. This staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for change within the industry. At Zentia, they are working hard to reduce their impact on the environment as much as possible and help in the journey towards a better future.
Zentia’s comprehensive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report details their ongoing efforts and ambitious targets to significantly reduce their environmental impact and support the global drive towards Net Zero by 2050.
What they have achieved so far
In Zentia’s ceiling tile manufacturing process, they repurpose 1,400 tonnes of pre-consumer waste, sourced from local suppliers. That is the equivalent to the weight of approximately 12 blue whales! When newspaper production was in decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic and growing trends of online readership compared to traditional print, they reviewed their manufacturing process and now they also incorporate 200 tonnes of pre-consumer egg cartons into their ceiling tiles, the equivalent of 16 cruise ship anchors.
Their recycling initiatives extend beyond our manufacturing process. Members of their award-winning Pinnacle Partnership Scheme gain access to their off-cut recycling scheme, allowing them to return tile off-cuts to their factory in Gateshead. These off-cuts are then reintroduced into Zentia’s manufacturing process to create new tiles, promoting a circular economy.
They aim to conserve as much water as possible by also recycling the water used in their manufacturing processes. In fact, they have reduced their reliance on mains water by 93%, significantly decreasing their environmental footprint.
Their commitment to ESG goes beyond just their environmental impact. As members of the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, they are passionate about apprenticeships and retaining core skills within their local area. This initiative helps to ensure a skilled and competent workforce for the future.
Zentia’s promises and targets
Zentia’s journey from Armstrong Ceilings to an independent UK manufacturer marks the beginning of their focused ESG efforts. By 2025, they aim for all UK-made products to be covered by single product-level Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). They predict that 91.8% of their products will be manufactured in the UK by then. To ensure accuracy and transparency, they have started measuring resource usage at the product level and are working with BRE to enhance the value of our EPDs.
They have set a target to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025, supported by £4.5 million investment and various process improvement projects. Their commitment to providing transparent information about our sustainability credentials will help them gain recognition in the market.
Health and safety best practices are also integral to operations at Zentia. They strive for zero recordable incidents across their business, reflecting their responsibility towards their people and their dedication to creating a sustainable business environment.
Zentia are proud of the strides they have made and remain dedicated to achieving their ambitious targets, ensuring a positive impact on the environment, their community, and the industry as a whole.
For more detail, see our report here.
