World Environment Day: How to Be More Environmentally Friendly

You may or may not know this, but 5th June is World Environment Day. This annual event was initiated in 1973 and is led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Over the years, it has become one of the most important and largest global environmental events.

Over 150 countries take part, and millions of people get involved in various ways to protect our planet. So, let's look at World Environment Day in more detail and the ways ESE Direct can help you become more environmentally friendly.

What is World Environment Day?

In 1972, the United Nations held its first environmental and sustainability conference, launching a new initiative to raise awareness of the threats to our planet and encourage communities worldwide to get involved in promoting what nations can do to help stop the headlong slide into irreversible damage.

Known as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the slogan #OnlyOneEarth, and always held on the 5th June, it is hosted by a different country every year; in 2022, it was Sweden's turn.

The hosts highlight the transformative ways countries and communities can work towards sustainability through attractive, affordable and available methods. This includes transport and production systems, biodiversity and energy sources, global trade, and how we build as a society to ensure the world is in sustainable harmony with nature.

World Environment Day 2022 marks a historic milestone in that it is 50 years since the UN's first Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. It encouraged a wave of governments around the world to set up new global agreements and the formation of environmental ministries and agencies to work together to protect the planet's environment. The conference became the groundwork for many of the world’s nation’s sustainable development goals.

Awareness of global warming has increased over the past few years. Knowing that the way we live in society today has a devastating impact on the environment, consumers are now demanding that businesses focus on producing products that are sustainable yet still high quality. Environmentally friendly, plastic-free packaging is becoming a must as people look for products that are greener and help protect our environment.

This isn't happening just in the businesses themselves; it also impacts the global supply chains. To ensure a product is truly sustainable and eco-friendly, every ingredient or part of that product must be sourced from a sustainable supplier.

A recent study found that consumers would look at a company's environmental footprint before purchasing from them. 77% of the study's respondents said that plastic is the least environmentally responsible way of packaging products, preferring paper as they saw it as the most ecologically safe material.

Whilst businesses are not legally-obligated to buy sustainable supplies (yet!), it is certainly encouraged and could help the company to:

• Reduce their impact on the environment
• Tackle social issues and work towards improving the livelihoods of the people in their communities
• Enhance the business's reputation
• Save money over the lifecycle of the product

Supply chain sustainability

Businesses looking to address their sustainability ratings need to go beyond their own four walls. Sustainable procurement throughout the supply chain ensures the production of a product that is truly environmentally friendly, from the raw materials up to the packaging. The benefits of sustainable purchasing include:

• The opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. For example, using energy-efficient resources and renewable energy.
• Protect and save natural resources. For example, opting for materials that have been recycled or using waste as a raw material.
• Reducing the amount of waste in landfills. For example, purchase products that can be recycled or reused.
• Support and help the local, national and international communities by buying local and fair trade goods, which impacts working and living conditions.

As well as these aspects, a business that promotes and sells environmentally friendly, sustainable products will improve its reputation, attract investors, secure new business, reduce costs long-term and they can take advantage of a number of tax breaks, such as the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme.

Environmentally-friendly products at ESE Direct to help sustainability

At ESE Direct, we work towards a sustainable process throughout the supply chain to ensure we are providing environmentally friendly products that can help your business.

• Spill kits - whether it's for body fluids, oil, fuel or any other spills, our range of spill kits ensure spills are captured and disposed of in the correct sustainable way. Our EVO plastic drum spill pallets and the contents of the EVO universal emergency spill kits are manufactured using recycled materials to help businesses become more sustainable.
• Recycling - many of our products are manufactured using recycled resources, including a range of outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic. Our EVO recycled absorbent pads that reduce your carbon footprint are made from sustainable materials or opt for our organic, recycled concentrated loose absorbent made from 100% recycled natural material.
• Drain covers - spills happen and in some industries, it can't be helped. However, by ensuring there is sufficient drain protection in place, there is less likelihood of damaging waste getting into a drainage system and causing damage further up the natural underground system. Use spill control drain covers, like the plug rug clay drain cover, or drain guards that stop oil and sediment from going into the drain. Combine these with drum lid covers that stop spills should the drums get knocked over for greater protection. Alternatively, go further with our InstaBund spill berms, ground mats or complete covered drum storage units.

The global theme for this year's World Environment Day is #OnlyOneEarth and focuses on moving to a more sustainable way of living.

ESE Direct is a leading supplier of products for business, schools, colleges and universities, workshops and warehouses. With a broad and diverse range of products, more than 40 years of knowledge and experience in the industry, a bespoke design and installation service and exceptional customer service, you can trust ESE Direct.