Mitie reports strong sustainability performance in 2014

FTSE 250 strategic outsourcer Mitie has claimed a significant increase in sustainability performance for the ninth consecutive year and "strong progress towards its 2020 targets".


However, energy and water use, fuel consumption and waste generation all rose over last year. The company’s sustainability report said: “Our total energy consumption in 2013/14 was very similar to our 2009/10 base year. This is an increase since last year, predominantly because of a net increase in the size of our estate with the acquisition of MiHomecare. If we exclude MiHomecare, our consumption is 12% lower than in our base year.”

Waste management continues to be a challenge because of Mitie’s large number of contractors and high proportion of landlord-serviced properties. The company said: “Our total waste volumes have increased, driven by a net growth in estate size. Our recycling rates remain fairly consistent with last year; though we accept that there is a considerable level of uncertainty in our waste volumes and recycling rates.”

However, it has had success with a programme of employee engagement on waste management in place across its dealings with client Network Rail, which had set Mitie a challenge of achieving over 95% landfill diversion. The company said: “Over the last year we have introduced a standard recycling policy across all buildings, negotiated new supply chain agreements, and consolidated waste reports to recognise problematic waste streams – which have all helped.

“However, the most significant part of the project was the implementation of an employee engagement campaign to change people’s behaviours when it comes to recycling. As a result of this approach, the recycling rate increased from 23% to 66% and we exceeded our target – diverting 97% of all waste from landfill.”

Mitie also highlighted its work with suppliers. The report said: “We have continued to work with emissions portal Ecodesk and now have 950+ suppliers registered and engaging with us to report their emissions data. However, during the reporting period, we realised that a large proportion of the supplier profiles were either incomplete or out of date and again we have worked with Ecodesk to put together a strategy to review the inputs. So far we have engaged with the top 279 suppliers registered and we are pleased to report that 239 have submitted complete and up-to-date emissions data.

“In the next months, we will be reviewing the process with Ecodesk to ensure we capture maximum levels of emissions details from all our key suppliers.”

Mitie also has a sustainable development framework for client relationships. The report said: “The framework is mainly utilised on large contracts where sustainability is high on the agenda. To date, we have engaged with 17 clients, which represents 29% of our total revenue.
“In each of the identified contracts, we’ve appointed sustainable development managers, we currently have 19, who are responsible for co-ordinating all the activities within the framework, promoting best practice and encouraging knowledge sharing via monthly site meetings, network calls and biannual forums. We also engage with the client at regular Sustainability Steering Group meetings as well as business review meetings.”

Chief executive Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE said: “Sustainability is more than a business strategy, it is part of every decision we make. We are building a business that is all about long-term relationships with clients, our people and the communities in which we work. Our sustainability strategy plays a critical role in our ongoing success.”

Read the full report below by edienews

edie staff

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