Footwear & Clothing Wholesaler Gains ISO 14001 Certification following focus on environmental sustainability practices.
Gloucester based footwear and clothing wholesaler and BFA Member, Gardiner Bros and Footsure Western Ltd has gained ISO 14001:2015 certification following a focus and commitment to environmental sustainability practices.
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It provides a framework for organisations to design and implement an EMS, and continually improve their environmental performance. The framework encompasses various aspects, from resource usage and waste management to monitoring environmental performance and involving stakeholders in environmental commitments. By adopting this standard, organisations signal a commitment to regulatory compliance and ongoing environmental improvement.
“At Footsure and Gardiners we are very excited to be awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 in recognition of the business’ commitment to ongoing environmental improvement. This recognises the great efforts put in by the team to deliver continuous improvement and evolve our environmental management systems within the organisation. We look forward to continuing to evolve the plan and build on the award to remain focussed on our dedication to playing our part in a sustainable future. Huge thanks to the team.”
James Gardiner, CEO
“Here at Gardiners and Footsure we have always been a company that has strived to do the right thing in all that we do, and our commitment to minimising our environmental impact is no different. We have had environmental measures in place long before we began working on ISO14001, so the engagement and support from within the business was there from the start. Gaining this has helped us to formalise our processes to ensure continued development. This certificate reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and solidifies our position as a leader in responsible practices. On a personal note, we’re so proud to have achieved this and it demonstrates that the measures we have been taking are delivering tangible results.”
George Gates, Health, Safety & Environmental Manager
The certification demonstrates the steps Gardiners and Footsure have taken to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and supporting sustainable business practices for our cities.
In 2023, Gardiners and Footsure successfully transitioned to sourcing 100% of their electricity from renewable energy sources. By partnering with a local energy broker, The Logical Utilities Company Limited, and taking green deals for all of their gas and electricity, their monthly carbon footprint for electricity has been reduced to zero meaning they are actively working towards the UK Government’s Net Zero initiatives to reach net zero by 2050.
“Logical helped Gardner Bros transition to green contracts for both gas and electricity which demonstrates their strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. We completed a fully comprehensive tendering exercise to establish which suppliers were able to offer a fully 100% green product with supporting certification on both gas & electricity. This aligns closely with our corporate values and enhances our brand reputation to meet the growing demand from our clients for eco-friendly practices. By encouraging business to switch to renewable energy sources, we are actively reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. This strategic move not only benefits the planet but also offers long-term cost savings and stability, making it a win-win for our business and the environment.”
Rosie White, Business Development Manager at The Logical Utilities Company
The wholesaler has taken other positive steps including implementing a comprehensive recycling program with a nearby waste handling partner, enabling diversion of waste from landfill. In 2023, Gardiners and Footsure either recycled or turned to waste energy over 95% of waste, against a national average of 45%. Waste that is non-recyclable is turned into energy, aggregates and steam. The wholesaler uses sustainable packaging sourced from recycled materials throughout the day at their units based near junction 12 of the M5. Their new premises hosts some 30 charge points for electric cars, has eco-friendly responsive LED lighting, evaporative cooling to keep the mezzanine areas cool, destratifications fans and use renewable energy sources.
The heritage Gloucester company has also developed recycled footwear collections as well as launching the first ever safety boots made using recycled pre-consumer leather leading the way in the PPE industrial sector. They work closely with The National Forest and support with tree planting.
In 2023, Gardiners and Footsure won Business of the Year and the Environmental and Sustainability Award in the Gloucestershire Business Awards sponsored by Randall and Payne.
The ISO 14001:2015 certification was confirmed on 13th May 2024.