Becoming a Net Zero Business in Dental Technology: Our Story So Far

November 12, 2024

As a family company, DB Lab Supplies is driven to be a sustainable business, dedicated to environmental sustainability in every aspect. Preserving the planet for future generations is at the heart of our approach to business and sustainability. In this blog we share the steps we have taken so far to become as environmentally friendly as possible. And, we still have much to do...

Our Commitment to a Net Zero Future

Already an environmentally conscious business, we’re committed to transforming DB Lab Supplies into a Net Zero Business.

According to website netzeroclimate.org, "Net zero for your business means achieving a state in which activities in your value chain result in no net impact on the climate. This means rapidly reducing emissions in line with science-based pathways, and balancing any remaining emissions with carbon removals."

So how are we doing so far? Currently pursuing ISO 14001 certification, a globally recognized standard in environmental sustainability for businesses, we also have joined the SME Climate Hub to publicly pledge a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, with a goal of becoming a fully Net Zero business by 2050. Our progress and objectives are shared in our Carbon Reduction Plan, published annually on our website here.

Diverting plastic from landfill.

Sustainability Achievements so Far

Here's a quick look at some of the actions we have taken so far at DBHQ:

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Installed for free employee use. Plus, all our company cars are now Electric or Hybrid.
100% Recyclable Packaging: Eliminated plastic packaging to support our aim as a sustainable business.
Plastic Recycling & Reduction: Equipped every staff room with recycling bins and water filters to cut down single-use plastics.
Energy-Efficient Lighting: Replaced all lighting with PIR LED systems, saving 41,000 kWh annually and offsetting 8.49 tonnes of CO₂.
Staff Education: Ongoing programs to promote energy-saving habits.
Recycling Initiatives: Diverted 18 tonnes from landfill by recycling paper, cardboard, metal, plastics, glass, and LDPE.

Green Initiatives: Leading as a Sustainability Company

Our efforts don't just stop there. We have also:

Local Sourcing: We have increased UK manufacturing to lower the environmental impact of overseas shipping; where international sourcing is needed, we now opt for sea freight instead of air.
Tree-Planting Campaigns: We have partnered with “One Tree Planted” to support reforestation. This October we planted 1210 trees!

Sustainability training meeting.

Key Sustainability Goals for 2024-2029

Our in-house collaborations, continued focus and planning ensures that we are on track to achieve the following:

Collect high-quality data to improve emissions tracking and accountability.
We have already installed a Solar PV system to transition fully to renewable energy.
Engage suppliers in sustainability, encouraging their own emissions reduction.
Ensure 100% recyclable packaging across all products.
We have already implemented sustainable commuting through a bike-to-work scheme and EV infrastructure.
Achieve ISO 14001 certification as a standard of environmental sustainability in business.
Set Science Based Targets for a long-term Net Zero trajectory.

Electric car charger stations at DBHQ.

Inspiring a culture of Environmental Responsibility.

Meet the “DB Gardening Gang”, a dedicated team that grows fruits and vegetables on-site for staff, as well as planting fruit trees, and managing wild grass areas. The Gardening Gang at DB Orthodontics: Every little bit goes toward becoming carbon neutral. The DB Gardening Gang.
We also host workshops and team building events—like a recent Whernside climb—designed to bring our team closer to nature and foster a workplace culture centred on sustainability in business.Team DB's Walk up Whernside.

Join us on the Journey to a Greener Future

At DB Lab Supplies, we’re proud of our efforts to lead as a sustainability company within the dental industry. Our journey towards becoming a Net Zero business continues, with environmental sustainability as a guiding principle in everything we do. We encourage you to do the same, and welcome conversations about how we can all work together to make the dental industry, and our world, as green as possible for future generations.

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