Bradfords champions sustainability push

Independent builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies has appointed an initial team of Sustainability Champions across its network as part of its drive to support the construction industry in meeting the government’s net zero targets and to enhance its own environmental sustainability.

Seven team members at Bradfords so far have volunteered for the role of Sustainability Champion. Their objective will be helping to deliver the company’s sustainability strategy by engaging with fellow employees at department or branch level and to support customers in considering environmentally friendly options for their projects.

“Our Sustainability Champions will both champion the measures and behaviours we need to adopt to get ourselves to net carbon zero, but will also be first port of call for customers who want to incorporate low carbon, energy efficient, renewable or recycled products into their projects,” said, Bradfords’ head of sustainability Giles Bradford.

“We will involve them in the conversations we have as a business as we continue to develop our own route to net carbon zero.”

“They will be fully supported in this new aspect of their roles, where we’ll help them to develop and feel empowered as an important part of the team. This will include thorough training and the opportunity to attend key environmental sustainability events.”

Megan Norbury, one of the volunteers and part of the Bradfords customer service team added: “I feel so much of the focus on being more sustainable is on things like not using single-use plastic and remembering to turn off lights, but actually the bigger picture is so much larger than that. There are building projects going on everywhere and if we can start to tackle environmental sustainability in the construction sector, I think we have a very big chance of making the difference we have to make to meet UK targets.”

“Though Bradfords is a big company, we all talk to each other a lot, especially those of us in customer service as we speak to different branches every day. Having dedicated individuals focusing on sustainability encourages others to get in touch and ask for help.”

“I’m particularly excited about learning about new environmentally friendly products and helping customers to make more sustainable choices.”

In November Bradfords held its first ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ – a new series of events aimed at inspiring, informing and engaging the South-West on achieving long term environmental and social sustainability for the built environment.