What is sustainability for Plate 2 Plate Compost?
For us, sustainability is about finding the balance between our social, environmental and economic impacts.
We recognise that becoming a sustainable business is a journey. The commitments listed below are simply our first steps.
Social Impacts
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We will provide meaningful employment for people with learning difficulties.
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When finances allow it, we will provide ecological, horticultural or sustainability training for staff that is not directly related to their job description. Providing staff with an in-depth understanding of their impact on the natural environment and qualifications to further their career.
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We will promote a community culture within Leeds, which includes buying local, supporting farmers markets and schemes such as Roundhay Open Gardens.
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We will support education and research programmes for schools, colleges and universities.
Environmental Impacts
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The sole purpose of our products is to improve soil health.
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Our products will help our customers grow food and plants without the use of petrochemical-based fertilisers.
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As we grow, we will invest in clean and renewable technologies such as electric or hydrogen vehicles, battery storage and photovoltaic arrays, minimising our carbon emissions and reducing air pollution.
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We will continually eliminate waste in our processes and products and reuse at every opportunity.
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Any buildings we own in the future will be renovated (old farm buildings for example) or reused (shipping containers) and employ the principles of biophilic design.
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We will avoid first solution error by investing time and effort to find the best solution available.
Economic impacts
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We will run our business to support, and be an example of, the circular economy.
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As the business grows, we will put money aside to build a 90 day operating budget to minimise the impact of unforeseen events (such as a global pandemic!)
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All investment decisions will be made using whole life costing principles.
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We will procure equipment and goods from the most ethical providers available.
Mark Warner
Owner
Plate 2 Plate Compost
Signed: October 2020