Sustainability is often described as a journey rather than a destination, and for us at Astor Bannerman, it’s one that we’re still definitely on. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt so far, it’s this: collaboration and partnerships are invaluable. Reaching out to people who share the same goals, learning from their experiences, and working together can make all the difference.
Here’s a look at some of the conversations, partnerships, and community connections that have been instrumental in helping us take meaningful steps forward in our sustainability efforts.
Learning from Experience in Sustainability
Early on, we reached out to Richard Hildersley, who was at the time the Group Energy and Environmental Manager at local (and global) company Spirax Sarco. Richard was incredibly generous in sharing his experiences with similar projects at Spirax Sarco, a company much further along in their sustainability journey. His advice gave us practical insights and a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
We were also fortunate to connect with the team at Cheltenham Zero, an initiative from Cheltenham Borough Council. They provided us with a wealth of advice, helping us connect with relevant networks, app memberships, and local organisations that could support us on our path.
Business Support Groups
This year, we attended the Gloucestershire Growth Hub’s Net Zero Conference at the University of Gloucestershire. It was a fantastic opportunity to hear from a wide range of businesses across the county, from bed manufacturers to ethical food producers. The speakers openly shared their successes, challenges, and plans, offering practical insights and inspiration.
Following the conference, we connected with Isobel Filipova, the new lead at Cheltenham Zero, and with Toby Waller from Gloucestershire Growth Hub, both of whom we met there. Toby has since been advising us on how the Growth Hub can help support our journey moving forward. Isobel has already been a great resource for us, particularly around product sustainability. We’re not just looking to enhance the environmental credentials of our product range, but we want to explore all areas of product design, manufacture, installation, use, and the products’ end of life. Our goal is to make the entire lifecycle of our products less carbon intensive. We’re excited to continue working with Isobel and the team at the Growth Hub as we progress on this important journey.
Partnering with Service Providers
When it came to installing solar panels at our factory, we partnered with Centreco, a company that went above and beyond to help us specify the right panels to meet our needs. Their expertise ensured we maximised the benefits of renewable energy while reducing our reliance on non-renewable sources.
Similarly, working with Grundon to redesign our waste management strategy has been a key part of our efforts to reduce the waste we send to landfill. Their guidance has helped us rethink our processes, and we look forward to sharing updates on the energy savings from this partnership in the coming months.
Building a Network
Through these collaborations, we’ve realised the importance of building a network of like-minded organisations and people who are passionate about sustainability. These relationships – whether with community groups, business support organisations, or service providers – help us learn, grow, and keep moving forward.
Sustainability isn’t something we can achieve alone. It’s a collective effort, one that thrives on open conversations, shared ideas, and mutual support. By learning from others and sharing our own experiences, we can all make more progress, more quickly.