Going for Gold – Our Journey with the Supply Chain Sustainability School
In the pursuit of a more sustainable future, every milestone achieved is not merely a triumph for the business, but a significant step towards global progress.
Today, we stand proud to announce a momentous achievement: attaining Gold status with the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) This accomplishment symbolises not just our commitment to sustainability, but also our dedication to fostering positive change within our business and beyond.
At Rainbow Restoration, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s woven into the fabric of our operations, guiding every decision and action we take. Our journey with the Supply Chain Sustainability School has been a testament to our belief that businesses have a responsibility to operate ethically and sustainably, leaving a positive impact on both people and planet.
An Introduction to SCSS
For those of you who do not know, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is an organisation dedicated to improving sustainability within the construction and built environment supply chain. It provides free learning resources, training and support to help businesses and professionals in the industry develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement sustainable practices.
The school offers a wide range of resources and training modules covering various aspects of sustainability, including environmental management, social responsibility, ethical sourcing and waste reduction.
These resources are designed to help organisations at all levels of the supply chain, from contractors and subcontractors to suppliers and clients, enhance their sustainability performance and contribute to a more environmentally and socially responsible built environment sector.
The Supply Chain Sustainability School operates through a collaborative approach, bringing together leading organisations, industry experts and stakeholders to share best practices, facilitate knowledge exchange and drive collective action towards a more sustainable future.
Overall, the school plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability and driving positive change within the construction and built environment sector by empowering individuals and organisations to adopt sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
Achievements we have made
Our partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School commenced in February 2023, marking the beginning of an enriching journey toward achieving greater sustainability within our organisation. With a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, we embarked on this path with the determination to make a meaningful impact on our industry and the world at large.
The SCSS provided us with a structured framework for advancing sustainability through its progressive certification system, starting with the Bronze level.
To attain Bronze certification, we immersed ourselves in a series of meticulously curated courses, workshops and resources offered by the school. These educational modules covered a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from sustainable procurement practices to carbon footprint reduction strategies.
Building upon the foundation laid at the Bronze level, we pursued the Silver certification with determination. This phase of our journey involved delving deeper into the complexities of sustainability management, refining our strategies and aligning our practices with industry best practices and standards.
Michelle Gill, Credit Controller, engaged in diverse study resources, exploring topics from human rights to responsible sourcing and completed 10 resources, including certificates in Modern Slavery and FIR on site, enhancing her proficiency in sustainable practices.
Additionally, she found the ‘Lunch & Learn – Net Zero and Science Based Targets’ session captivating, contributing to her well-rounded understanding of sustainability and procurement practices.
Amy Bramwell, Business Support Assistant, completed various sustainability courses, gaining insights into sustainable procurement and environmental conservation, which motivated her to introduce reusable notebooks and crockery in the workplace, driving forward organisational sustainability efforts.
She champions sustainability initiatives within Central Office, emphasising the importance of mitigating our environmental impact and promoting collective action for a healthier planet.
As part of our journey toward achieving Gold certification with the SCSS, Rainbow Restoration undertook the task of documenting our utilisation of SCSS resources and the resulting impact on our business. This case study serves as a testament to the transformative power of sustainability education and its profound implications for organisational growth and resilience.
Impact and Future Directions
Our journey with the Supply Chain Sustainability School has deepened our understanding of sustainable practices and guided our actions toward a greener future. Gabrielle Huckerby, SEO Specialist, explored crucial topics like water conservation and climate change, shaping our service offerings and inspiring our content strategy.
Our blogs and social posts, such as ‘Water saving devices and habits to cut bills’ and ‘A global crisis – the human causes of flooding,’ provide actionable insights and promote positive environmental practices. As we continue our journey toward sustainability, we’re committed to leading by example and showcasing our efforts to our customers and industry peers.
In Central office we are always finding new ways to make our office space more sustainable, the practices we currently have are:
- The use of Rocketbooks instead of paper notebooks to reduce paper waste.
- Buying eco-friendly teabags and bin bags to promote composting.
- Providing eco-friendly promotional items to reduce plastic waste.
- Implementing sensor lights in our toilets to reduce our energy usage.
- Installing EV charging points at our Central Office.
- Opting for local and sustainable sourced catering with reusable or compostable service items to minimise waste.
But we’re not stopping there. We’re actively exploring better commuting practices within our network, seeking to increase flexibility while reducing emissions.
At Rainbow Restoration, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a commitment we live and breathe every day.
Here is where you can find our Supply Chain Sustainability School Case Study.
Rainbow Restoration’s journey with the Supply Chain Sustainability School stands as a testament to the transformative power of education, collaboration and commitment to sustainability.
By leveraging the resources and expertise offered by the SCSS, we have not only achieved Gold certification but also unlocked new opportunities for growth, innovation and positive impact within our organisation and beyond.