Small changes. Big impact
Pico Technology has long tried to be environmentally friendly, but with IPCC and UN reports it became obvious that much more needed to be done. Taking the science, the threat of climate change and environmental biodiversity loss into account, we feel that it is more important than ever to act.
With this in mind, we created an internal group called PicoPlanet.
In November 2021, Pico had 216 solar panels installed. In May 2023 we added a further 182 panels which took our total to 398, and completed our 131 kWp system. Capturing energy from our sun the solar panels provide us with clean, green energy to power our head office in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. Below, you can see the environmental benefits our solar panels have had so far, and these numbers will continue to grow.
During a refurbishment of our head office in St Neots, the PicoPlanet team was involved to give guidance on various energy efficient investments, one of which was on the subject of insulation. We’re pleased to report that 150 mm of cavity wall insulation has been fitted throughout the refurbishment, offering enhanced thermal performance.
Pico had four EV chargers installed in January of 2020, but added a further 5 in 2022. These chargers are available for staff to use as electric vehicles become more popular.
We made the switch to plastic-free tape enabling all our packaging to be fully recycled.
Throughout the office areas, Pico has placed mixed recycling bins, allowing for the separation of general waste, paper, and other recyclable materials.
In January of 2020, Pico purchased a crimping machine to enable us to recycle cardboard packaging from suppliers. We use this as an alternative to bubble wrap when sending our goods on to customers and distributors.
We carefully consider our printing needs, questioning whether digital copies could be used instead.
Anything that must be printed is then done so on Carbon Captured paper, with carefully considered volumes in order to reduce waste.
To help reduce our printing even further, we converted our popular automotive help guide to a handy mobile app. This full-colour, printed guide was previously supplied with every automotive kit sold.
Hybrid working
Pico Technology introduced tools to enable staff to work from home where possible during Covid. Following lockdown, Pico continued to offer and support hybrid working in the UK (where job role allows) to help reduce commuting.
Arrange educational talks for staff
Educational talks on the Environment have taken place, and will continue to take place to ensure Pico Technology staff are both aware of our environmental impact and the steps that are being taken to limit our carbon footprint.
Bee-friendly flowers in our garden
At Pico HQ in St Neots, a small team of staff members plant amd water bee-friendly plants in our on-site garden. Not only is the fantastic for the environment but provides a beautiful area in the summer for lunch breaks!
Finding alternatives to air travel
We continue to look at alternatives to air travel where possible. This includes travel for overseas exhibitions and utilising video meeting software to reduce the need for travel to our global network of distributors. While some air travel trips are still required we are working to reduce these where possible.
Trees not hampers
At Christmas time, we choose to plant trees with the Woodland’s Trust, in-lieu of sending out cards or gifts to our distributors and suppliers.
Finding alternatives to our plastic cases
A large portion of our products are supplied in tough, robust, protective plastic cases. We've discussed and investigated various options and will continue to do so until a suitable solution is found.