How Engensa do their bit for the environment...

A commitment to the environment is central to being part of the Engensa team. 

Part of our sustainability policy is to manage fuel consumption so we use hybrid vans for the installation teams and Smart Cars for the sales team as well as using biomass heating for our new commercial hubs. The company's ethos has been built around employee participation and team suggestions of how we can work together towards a common goal. Carbon cutting goals have been introduced into the business – for example Design Consultants are given 10p per mile for cycling instead of using their car when visiting customers or a higher mileage allowance for a more efficient car.

Read on to find out what other members in the team do for the environment.

Toby D

I love my Smart car and I’m adamant that it’s the most fuel efficient vehicle around.  Unfortunately work demands that from time to time I have to drive myself around, and when there’s only one person in the car you want it to be as small and light as possible – hence the Smart.  I also try to car share as much as possible (even if I’ve only got space for one).

Julia

You can save so much energy by cutting down on heating. I have shawls and blankets in the office and at home for when the temperature drops, which means we can avoid turning the heating on unless it is absolutely needed ( and there are always hot water bottles for the REALLY chilly days). I also don't need a car for work so cycle and train everywhere. And just as soon as my listed building consent comes through I will the proud owner of 14 Engensa solar panels!

Toby F

I get a real buzz from cycling through London.  Its amazing but most of the time you get there faster than by car, avoid the crush of public transport, get fit AND save on CO2 emissions.  Its hard to imagine an activity that has so many benefits rolled into one.  Of course there are downsides like getting soaked when it rains, but as long as you’ve got a towel at the other end there’s no harm in it.  

Sam

It might sound a bit geeky but one of the best ways Engensa can reduce its carbon footprint is by optimising the number and length of the trips we make when visiting customers and doing installations. I always make sure that the vans are filled with people, and wherever possible we try to make several visits in the same area at once to save on the distance travelled. I'm planning to gradually make this system more sophisticated.

Thom

In the warehouse I've set up a system that allows us to use all the cardboard boxes that come with our deliveries to be used in a biomass boiler that provides most of our heating in the winter. Combined with our air source heat pump system its not perfect but its pretty much as green as you can get when it comes to heating.

Yolanda

I am a strong believer in the term "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and I am a recycling addict. I try to minimise the amount of resources I use as much as possible, from using a rainwater harvesting system and compost heap at home to having a strict policy about not wasting food. I never use chemical pesticides in the garden and instead opt for natural alternatives, such as lavender and egg shells. I also do not drive and prefer to walk or use public transport. When we do need a car, we use our Prius, which was the most exciting purchase in my household.

Conor

Cycling into work saves me a substantial amount of time and money each day that would otherwise be spent crammed onto Londons moving sauna aka. the Central Line and allows me to keep fit as well as reduce my carbon footprint.  I’ve recently found a path which runs along the canal and takes me almost directly to my house, allowing me to avoid the traffic and the pollution. 

Philippa

I cycle everywhere I can. Living on the other side of town from the office has meant that there is a daily temptation to drive, particularly in wet weather. If there is space in a car I’ll take it but the combination of the train and a bike works fine. I also try to eat organic happy meat where possible and buy vegetables that are in season. I’m also keen to encourage a meat free Monday policy in the office so that we collectively are doing our bit.

David C

Doing my bit is something I have been keen on for most of my life.  I’m old enough to remember when recycling started.  I helped my parents get into both recycling and composting their organic kitchen waste (which they still do today!).  I walk to get where I want to go or ride public transport as I live in central London and choose not to own a car.  Where possible I try to purchase durable goods from charity shops, produce and meat from local markets.  At home we keep the thermostat below 18 and the boiler where it won’t produce scalding water.  I like to smoke American Spirits (when I find them).  I am also supporting the economy by being a faithful adherent to traditional British Ales and Ciders.

Helen

I try my best to recycle at both home and work and minimize my paper usage. I have signed up to paperless billing for all my finances, I reuse scrap paper to write my to do lists and send e-cards to friends and families on their birthdays.

Tom A

I’ve recently given up my car as it doesn’t make sense using it when public transport and cycling is so convenient and so much more green. It’s much more pleasant to see the deer in Richmond Park from my bike than from the car window.

Luke

I recycle all my waste where possible and grow my own vegetables

George

I recycle everything at home and drive one of our hybrid vans. Back home I used to volunteer for a group whose focus was on reforestation of the local area.

Wayne

I recycle all my waste at home and 90% of waste out of the depot. I also enjoy growing my own vegetables and living off the land.

Mitul

I do my bit by recycling whatever I can and hope to have a solar system installed on my house soon.

Daniel T

I am conscious about recycling at home and I walk whenever possible to reduce the use of the car.

Daniel S

I recycle everything at home, encourage car share if we go out as a group and I will be installing solar on my home after seeing the benefits of PV since being with Engensa.

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Engensa solar installations, as featured in...