Digital marketing agency Purpose Media is gearing up for 2024, fueled by green energy.
The Derbyshire company started the year with a number of successful new ventures, but has also invested in solar panels to provide clean electricity to its head office in south Normanton.
We also replaced all light fixtures with LED bulbs, replaced gas-powered vehicles with electric models, and introduced free EV charging for staff and visitors.
Managing director Matt Wheatcroft said the company was aware of its environmental impact and engaged experts from the University of Derby to carry out a detailed audit.
“We are committed to operating sustainably. The University will help us assess the impact we are having on the environment and recommend steps that can be taken to improve the situation '' he explained.
The study found that installing solar panels could reduce a company's carbon footprint by 6.3 tonnes each year, and moving to in-house electric vehicles could reduce a further 1.4 tonnes.
The company also adopted recommendations to switch lighting fixtures to LED and decided to introduce two EV charging points that are free for use by employees and customers.
The move represented a near six-figure investment for the company, but some of the costs were mitigated by a £20,000 Green Entrepreneurship Program grant from the university for the installation of 109 solar panels.
Matt now intends to investigate options for increasing insulation within the company's offices to further improve efficiency and reduce heat loss.
“We are pleased with the progress of the project so far and the contribution we are making to improving sustainability,” Matt said.
“In addition to the emissions reductions being achieved, we are also seeing significant savings in utility costs. Even after installing two EV chargers, winter electricity bills have fallen by two-thirds, and summer electricity bills have dropped by two-thirds. It is expected that it will not only be self-sufficient but also supply surplus electricity to the grid.
“Additionally, we think this will save us around £20,000 each year.”
Communications Director Steve Hall is one of the Purpose team members who have access to free EV charging at work.
“It helped us convince ourselves that even if the initial cost is higher, switching to electric vehicles is economically viable in the long term and good for the planet,” he said.
