The Leaf – Issue 17 – Our Autumn 2024 Sustainability Update: Awards, Cutting Emissions and Volunteering Superstars

Schneider Rated Most Sustainable Company of 2024

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Schneider Electric, the brand behind Drayton and Wiser, was recently named the Most Sustainable Company of 2024 by TIME and Statista, scoring highly in a rigorous rating system and beating the likes of NEC Corp, Siemens, PayPal, HP and Microsoft.

The recognition is thanks to Schneider’s purpose and positioning as an impact company, meaning that as part of this global network of sustainable businesses, we’re aiding the transition to lower carbon energy consumption and empowering more households to become more efficient with their energy.

Read more about the recognition as World’s Most Sustainable Company of 2024

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Effective Energy Management is Reducing our On-site Carbon Footprint

At our Plymouth site we’ve reduced out carbon footprint from over 600 tonnes in 2017 to just under 50 tonnes in 2023, achieved through the purchase of 100% green energy, more efficient gas heating and various projects that have enhanced our energy efficiency, like new variable-output air compressor and smart energy monitoring via EcoStruxure.

Our energy reduction projects even won a Schneider Award in Winter Energy Efficiency for Best Production Site

Our path to becoming a net zero site. Everyone plays their part, by remembering the little wins as well as the bigger ones, the things we’d do at home:

• Closing windows in cold weather to help the heating to run most efficiently.
• Turning off hot water heaters in our kitchens over the weekend.
• Turning off lights in areas not being used or if you’re the last one out.
• Take equipment off standby when not in use

Watch our corporate video for more about us and sustainability at our Plymouth factory and offices:

Ready to level up your own energy efficiency?

We may not be able to control the carbon footprint of others, but we can all take responsibility for our own climate impact and take steps to reduce it – it doesn’t just help to safeguard our environments, it also saves us all money each month, especially important as the latest change to the energy price cap by Ofgem has just come into effect.

Want to start saving more energy right now? Use our 10 latest tips to step up your own efficiency at home:

1. Check your windows and their seals for draughts and make any repairs.
2. Let your oven have a rest and let your air fryer take over to save energy.
3. Have your boiler serviced to maximise its efficiency.
4. Upgrade to smart heating controls to save up to 30% energy.
5. Bleed your radiators to remove air and boost their performance.
6. Dig out the draught excluders for your doorways and close the doors of rooms not in use.
7. Let the sun in on bright days, then close the curtains at dusk to retain the heat.
8. Air your home regularly to reduce humidity and increase the feeling of warmth.
9. Warm up with a quick hot shower instead of a bath to save both energy and water.
10. Switch bulbs to LEDs to save electricity in these shorter days.

Volunteering Day 2024

As part of Schneider Electric, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As part of our holistic approach to sustainable business, we support our local communities and green spaces to ensure we act for climate both in the industry and in our communities.

In July this year, following last year’s successful Volunteering Day, a nearly 50-strong group of Drayton employees made the bumpy crossing from Devon heaven to the equally lovely (if a bit scone-sensitive) Cornwall, to take part in volunteering at Mount Edgcumbe House & Gardens, to support our local green spaces.

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The dream team took part in pruning hedgerows, pulling up blankets of ivy, and clearing the way for the planting of new Oak hedging to replace the mighty Oak hedges that have stood for centuries, protecting the gardens from the salty coastal winds, but which are sadly approaching end of life.

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There were smiles (if rather tired ones) all round once the work was done and we’re proud once again to have supported the sustainability efforts of this heritage site and its team of dedicated gardeners, who work tirelessly to support the biodiversity of the gardens, which has a knock-on positive effect for the natural environments around them.

See you all on Volunteering Day 2025!

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How can you get started with volunteering?

Volunteering your time for great causes has a wide range of benefits, not only are you supporting a project in your community, but it can be a rewarding and social experience for you too, boosting your own wellbeing. Here are our tips for getting started with volunteering:

• Find local groups on social media in your area – for example litter picking, helping at a food bank, or getting involved with a community garden.
• Rather go solo? Go for it – grab a litter picker, a pair of gloves and a bin bag, do your own litter pick to help make your street sparkle (remember to take care near roads).
• Contact your local community hubs, village halls and family centres to see if they’re looking for any volunteers.
• If you’re a parent of school-age children, check with their school’s parent association, who are often on the look-out for volunteers for events and fundraising activities.