Environment & Sustainability

L’AQUILA enforces a strict code of practice to aim for a minimum impact on the environment and a sustainable future both for the company and the planet

L’Aquila was set up using private funds, so minimising waste and cost has always been a priority for us. We follow a strict environment and sustainability code in our working practices and as far as possible, ensuring that our factories and suppliers do the same.

 

Put simply, we save energy wherever we can, pre-plan for minimum waste, both in terms of energy, ordering and resources, and have adopted processes to minimise our carbon footprint in sourcing all raw materials and packaging.  Our packaging is usually recyclable.

 

We take corporate and social responsibility seriously. Below are some things that we do to meet our environmental and sustainability targets:

 

  1. Buy intelligently by working closely with customers, using client’s forecasts to help plan purchasing requirements, study ordering patterns etc. – thus saving wasted excess product.
  2. Re-use packaging by working with our factories to produce a ‘one use’ quality carton box – thus saving the need to have to produce additional packaging.
  3. Buy from factories and supplies who demonstrate sustainability – this tends to be the norm when purchasing from local ‘artisan’ companies who make use of local raw materials – this not only develops the supplier’s business but also enhances the local environment and economy.
  4. We use our experience and customer base to help our suppliers produce products that can be manufactured in a sustainable way by encouraging them to use local raw materials and processing with natural ingredients and matching these to specific UK requirements in order to develop a suitable product for our market.
  5. Find outlets for short-dated or de-listed products – thus saving the need to discard products.
  6. Import effectively by consolidating consignments – thus minimising transportation.
  7. For exhibitions we purchase re-usable stand fixtures and fittings – thus avoiding having to destroy perfectly good fabrics and stand materials.
  8. We don’t drive hundreds of miles to visit customers - we take the train if the journey exceeds 100 miles – thus saving congestion, time and money.
  9. We organise logistics of deliveries effectively – thus reducing half empty vehicles on the road.
  10. Importing products by road and rail – thus reducing air traffic.
  11. Having products packaged in recyclable materials.
  12. Studying more sustainable forms of packaging such as the aluminium pouch pack which can replace pails or tins, takes up far less space, is easily compacted, uses less liquid to preserve foods (3-4 times less than a tin or tray) and requires less pasteurisation time thus reducing energy use.  In addition to which foods can thereafter be stored at ambient temperatures and do not require refrigeration.
  13. Recycling redundant packaging.
  14. Compacting unwanted cartons.
  15. Using the loan and return system for pallets where possible.
  16. In the office and warehouse using lighting only when necessary and having heating on a timer so as not to waste energy unnecessarily.
  17. In the office using the reverse side of discarded A4 paper for internal photocopying.
  18. Shredding waste paper for packaging fill.
  19. Re-using jiffy bags when possible, etc.
  20. Only printing off absolutely necessary documents.
  21. Conducting as much business as possible on-line to reduce paper wastage.
  22. Making sure all office equipment is switched off every evening.
  23. We use China crockery in our kitchen and not disposable cups, plates, etc.
  24. We donate products with minimum durability that are too short to sell to charity. If you are interested, please contact us at sales@laquila.co.uk