We have achieved the Silver EcoVadis Rating
Following our inaugural Sustainability Assessment (September 2023) Bournes received the Silver Medal from Ecovadis, putting our scores in the top 25% of all companies rated.
Our performance scored in the top 6% of companies in the Freight Transport by Road Industry.
EcoVadis is the world's largest and most trusted independent provider of business sustainability ratings with over 100,000+ rated companies globally.
The EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment evaluates Environmental, Social and Ethical performance using a methodology aligned with international standards with data points customised to our industry and verified by leading sustainability analysts.
Our EcoVadis rating provides transparent reporting for all stakeholders. The EcoVadis assessment not only allows us to measure and report on our current ratings but also benchmarks performance and provides customised recommendations to help us continuously improve.
The award is testament to the commitment from teams across the organisation to ensuring that we can continue to add the value to people's lives that our services bring, whilst protecting People and Planet for the future.
We are aiming for Gold in 2024!
We won the Sustainability Initiative of the Year 2023 Award
Bournes has been awarded the EMEA EMMA award for 'Best Global Mobility Sustainability Initiative of the Year' by the Forum for Expatriate Management. The award recognises our outstanding achievements and commitment to Sustainability in our role serving the global mobility industry.
“Bournes Relocation Solutions’ 5 year strategic plan aligned with the UN’s strategic development goals, makes this an honest and credible approach to building sustainability journey incorporating robust and tested certification and processes.”
-Independent juding panel
I believe relocation is valuable...
"I believe relocation is valuable. We do what we do for a reason. However, I also believe we need to do more to make sure we’re doing this with no harm, leaving the world a better place than we found it.
At Bournes we recognise the importance of taking responsibility and action for the future. That’s why our Board and Senior Management have selected Sustainability as one of the 4 cornerstones of our 5-year strategic plan.
Our priority goals are those we believe are most interlinked with our fundamental belief that people matter: Our employees: our customers, the communities in which we operate, and future generations. We will focus on efforts that are most impactful: for example, those concerning the environment and improving the lives of the people our organisation impacts.
It is important to all of us at Bournes that our actions are transparent and honest. No ‘greenwashing’. We believe that sustainability in an industry like ours with extensive supply chains is incredibly complex, and we want to make sure that we take the time to make the right decisions for meaningful change. We are in the early stages of our Sustainability journey at Bournes, but I am proud of our achievements so far. It is especially positive to see how my team across the organisation has committed to meaningful change and begun to embed our priority SDGs into their decision making and daily actions."
Wesley Bourne
Managing Director
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Our goal is to provide transparent information to our stakeholders, including: our commitment to sustainability, the actions we are already taking, the impact of these actions on our sustainability performance, and our future priorities.
Download our Sustainability Report to find out more about what we are doing to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Develop sustainability in our daily operations and supporting sustainability within our local communities and global crisis areas.
Environment
Energy
We are working at local and global supply chain level to reduce or eliminate wastes of all types including water and energy. This applies both at source or by practices such as modifying production, maintenance and facility processes, materials substitution, conservation, recycling and re-using materials.
Transport
As a company heavily involved in transportation, we recognise that the environmental impact of the emissions from vehicles operating throughout our network is material. We encourage a number of initiatives to reduce our impact including efficient transport planning through an advanced vehicle tracking system ensuring effective route management and maximum vehicle efficiency
Re-use, recycling and waste (operations)
As a service provider involved in extensive use of packing materials we recognise our activities have a direct, measurable impact upon the environment and strive to recycle or reuse wherever possible. At our facilities we have dedicated areas for segregation of recyclable materials and encourage our customers to recycle any packaging material not collected by our crew. Where possible we select recycled or reusable packing material that offers the best mix of required quality and minimal environmental impact, including partially recycled materials where possible. Customers are encouraged to recycle or donate items they are disposing of as part of their move and Bournes support local food banks by collecting unwanted non-perishable food items on move day.
Recycling and waste (Office)
We aim to reduce our environmental impact, in the office environment by encouraging staff to reduce the number of documents they print and to work towards a paperless environment wherever possible.
Use of paper, plastics and cardboard is minimised and, wherever used, separated for collection. Where appropriate waste paper is shredded and recycled.
Printer consumables are collected for delivery to a charitable organisation for onward recycling.
Digitisation
We are investing in digital technologies that allow us to operate in a more environmentally sustainable way, for example: Offering virtual pre-move surveys and home viewings reducing the emissions normally generated by travelling to conduct these in person; trialling implementation of paperless removals crews allowing them to digitally view job instructions, complete packing lists and itemised inventories, manage materials, collect client signatures and more; HR systems for employment paperwork; and online meetings in place of travel wherever possible.
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Carbon Offsetting
Although not a long-term solution Bournes have partnered with ecolegIT to offer carbon offsetting to our clients to allow us to support reforestation as a temporary measure to offset those emissions that we can’t yet reduce (e.g., ahead of mass market electrification of shipping vessels and HGV’s).
PEOPLE
Contractual Terms
We strive for fair contractual terms because we believe in the benefits of fair, honest and
balanced relationships with our employees. We do not allow any pressuring or threatening of
employees during discussions about fair working conditions and we ensure compliance with all statutory requirements.
Human Rights
We strive to ensure as a company that we operate in compliance with universal human rights. For example, we do not employ child or forced labour, we do not allow for the physical punishment or abuse of anyone under our employment and we follow international laws regarding employment.
Equality & Diversity
We recognise that our employees and our global marketplace include a diverse group of people and our Equality and Diversity policy sets out our commitment to equal opportunities, compliant with the UK Equalities Act 2010.
Bournes strictly prohibit discrimination in any form and we are all responsible for treating each other with dignity and respect. Treating each other respectfully also means that we take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying harassment and victimisation.
Health & Safety
Safety is the most important value in operating our business and we are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our workforce, our customers and the general public. A serious injury as a result of a lack of safety awareness can change lives forever and without it we cannot operate a sustainable business.
Bournes commitment to and performance in the area of safety is demonstrated by our certification to the OHSAS18001 international standard.
Bournes also focus heavily on wellbeing, including providing a free Employee Assistance Programme as part of our benefits programme.
Quality Education
We invest in lifelong learning strategies by offering employees training and development and pathways to grow within the organisation.
Through the Bournes Academy, we provide comprehensive, ongoing in-house training alongside external skills training through the BAR, FIDI and relevant professional associations.
We also invest in an online skills academy enabling team members to develop soft skills at their own pace.