Sustainability
Synectics Medical Ltd is pleased to have completed the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment. The Assessment is a self-assessment and reporting tool supporting us to understand our alignment with NHS sustainability priorities and identify those areas in which we need to accelerate progress.
The Evergreen Assessment is one of several NHS initiatives designed to support its net zero and wider sustainability objectives. We are delighted to be supporting the NHS to achieve their net zero and sustainability ambitions, including those set out in the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap
Environment
As a small business, this year we have supported the Woodland Trust as part of their ‘informal carbon scheme’ with a donation to support the protection of approximately 1,053 trees in the UK capable of absorbing 30 tonnes of CO2e emissions in the year of funding.
All donations received go towards three main charitable objectives to Create, Protect and Restore UK woodland and makes it possible to fight the pressures facing woods and trees, from inappropriate development to climate change and allowing the Woodland Trust to secure important woodland habitats that are at risk.
Woodland Trust
We have worked with one of our suppliers to reduce the use of plastic in their products resulting in a 50% reduction* in plastic packaging and additional benefit of reduced cardboard packaging required. Plus one of our other objectives is to place larger orders on a less frequent basis thereby reducing our carbon footprint in the transportation.
*(further information available on request)
Currently 40% of our fleet vehicles are zero-emission (fully electric or hydrogen)
We have started using an emissions recording scheme for business travel to monitor our impact.
We are aiming for a 20% reduction in our absolute emissions by 2027
We have reduced the need for some of our staff to travel by supporting alternative working arrangements, including home working etc, and promote the use of public transport by locating our offices in accessible locations.
We encourage our team to walk, cycle and/or use public transport to attend meetings, hospital visits etc. Or where possible to avoid physically travelling to meetings etc where alternatives are available and practical, such as using teleconferencing, and efficient timing of meetings to avoid multiple trips.
Health, Wellbeing, Social and Community
Reviewing contracts so all staff receive a fair wage reflecting the environment in which they work, and that they enjoy contractual terms which represent reasonable minimum standards and which provide for family friendly, flexible and diverse working environments.
We offer the benefit of private healthcare to our employees
We have a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (further information available on request)
We have Modern Slavery Policy (further information available on request)
We support and donate to a local secondary school through ‘Easyfundraising’ purchases (further information available on request)
We are supporting an apprenticeship scheme for one of our employees