Guardian Fire & Safety achieved EcoMerit certification in 2013 and has proudly maintained same year on year.
With sustainability at our core, we are committed to minimising our environmental impact, monitoring our environmental performance, measuring and reporting on our carbon footprint annually.
As a service company, our fleet to contributes to 90% of our overall GHG emissions (89.46 Tonnes of Co2 in 2022). In 2023, we made the conscious decision to actively assess the opportunity to reduce this and with the support of Local Enterprise Office Wexford Green for Business programme and EcoMerit we embarked on a feasibility study on alternative fuels for light goods vehicles.
This study took place over a 3 month period with careful research and consideration given to HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and EV (Electric Vehicles). The study also took a detailed look at seven of our fourteen fleet vehicles including daily Km travelled. All of the vehicles that participated in the study are located in our Service & Maintenance department with pre – determined routes each day. However, as we provide On – Call 24/7 which by its very nature is unpredictable, this factor also required close observation and consideration. At the end of this study, we were able to identify the most suitable alternative fuel and the most suitable drivers/territories. We now have a pathway in place to achieve our required GHG emissions reduction. Please see link below for full report.
GFS Sustainable Transport Strategy November 2023
In August 2023, we introduced our first EV company car and our first 100 % electric Service Vehicle followed at the end of February 2024.
Some of the other measures we take include the following:
- We implement environmental improvements year on year for e.g. in January 2023, we took the lead on the shift from (AFFF) Portable Fire Extinguishers in advance of the total prohibition on the purchase, training, testing and application of AFFF due in 2025. We replaced the Foam (AFFF) with our Green Series Portable Fire Extinguisher which is a direct alternative when there is no class B risk. The Green Series contains water only with no additives so its contents are harmless to the environment. In addition, it has been designed for the Irish market and to compliment all the requirements contained within Irish Standard 291. Find out more here.
- We manage all our WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) in accordance with the WEEE directive. WEEE Registration Number IE 01875W. Click here for details on WEEE Take Back.
- We work closely with our trusted supplier partners to ensure we bring the latest technologies to market via the shortest, greenest route thus reducing transport and mileage. Check out links below to some of our supplier partner green credentials.
- We reuse cardboard and packaging associated with incoming goods.
- We only use sustainably sourced paper in our printers and with all print materials.
- We constantly monitor all materials used and replace with environmentally friendly alternatives when available e.g. In 2022, we switched to a 100% paper packaging tape for all our outgoing deliveries.
We hope that by communicating our journey, we will inspire others to take the step to responsible and ethical business. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out and Contact Us.
