Safety expert Arco slashes carbon emissions by 21%
5 December 2024
Arco, the UK's leading safety expert, has reduced its carbon emissions by 21.2 per cent in a single year, its biggest annual decrease to date.
The reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions substantially outperformed Arco’s 5.5 per cent target, and is a significant step towards the company’s goal of net zero emissions by 2045.
The record carbon reduction is one of several significant achievements highlighted in Arco’s 2024 Sustainability Report, released today.
The 2024 report shows considerable progress in the company’s sustainability strategy, A Safe Tomorrow, which sets out Arco’s aims to have a positive impact on people and the planet, while helping customers meet their own sustainability goals
Initiatives such as the installation of solar panels on Arco buildings have helped the company reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and cut its carbon footprint over the past year.
Focusing on efficient use of water in its global operations has also seen Arco reduce its water use by 22.6 per cent.
In 2025, Arco will take this commitment to carbon reduction further by setting science-based targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), including for Scope 3 emissions related to manufacturing, transportation and end-of-life product management.
Responsible Choice
Importantly, Arco reduced carbon and water use while increasing sales of its Responsible Choice ranges of PPE and workwear by 200 per cent. These products feature verifiable sustainability claims or independent certifications, making it easier for businesses to buy more responsible products.
Arco also hit its annual target for use of “Better Textiles”. These more sustainable textiles made up 10 per cent of Arco’s total textile sales in FY24, and the company aims to increase this to 17.5 per cent by 2025, aligned with The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Textiles 2030 initiative.
Circularity and digital innovation
Working with customers and stakeholders, Arco is driving product circularity, developing closed-loop systems, expanding recycling and take-back schemes and providing garment life-extension services, such as laundry and repair.
The company has also invested in its digital capabilities to improve sustainability, utilising data-driven insights and embedding traceability and transparency in its Responsible hi-vis and workwear ranges.
Less waste and packaging
Arco has continued to reduce packaging and waste, removing single-use plastics and moving to more plain cardboard packaging. In FY24, the company recycled about 90 per cent of cardboard, plastic, clothing and building waste produced at its premises.
Commitment to communities
Activity such as volunteering and other support for charities saw Arco generate £39.3 million of social value in FY24, including £4 million in Hull and East Yorkshire. The company has continued to support long-standing partners such as Macmillan Cancer Support and in May 2024 launched a new partnership with The Mental Health Foundation.
Guy Bruce, chief executive officer at Arco, said: “At Arco, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From the energy powering our buildings, to the materials that make up our products, to the way we work with our suppliers, we’re always thinking of new ways to help secure a safer tomorrow.
“As Experts in Safety, Arco’s core purpose has always been to keep people safe at work. And with a clear commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, we truly believe we can help secure a safer tomorrow for people, businesses and the planet.”
Download the Arco Sustainability Report 2024 and read more at arco.co.uk/sustainability.
